It was the end of an Ibrox era and a game closer to finally putting a miserable Scottish Premiership season to bed and it was no surprise that they couldn't even get a win for departing legends.
Garang Kuol struck at the death to secure a point for Hearts and snatch the victory that so many wanted inside Ibrox Stadium. Kieran Dowell watched from the directors box as he was confirmed as the first summer signing of a huge rebuild and he looked on as former Norwich City team-mate Todd Cantwell again shone as he scored one and set up another Fashion Sakala against the Jambos.
That came after a quickfire opener for Lawrence Shankland - his 28th of an incredible season - as Steven Naismith’s hopes of leading the Jambos to a third place finish were killed off, although it remains to be seen what that will do for his job prospects, despite Kuol's late strike. But it was all about those departing Rangers as Allan McGregor and Alfredo Morelos - off to a standing ovation with 10 minutes left - started and Scott Arfield came off the bench but couldn't get the win they needed to leave on a high.
It was the visitors who had most to play for and they had the ball in the net inside a MINUTE as Shankland headed home as he reacted quickest when James Hill’s long throw was head out. Initially it was flagged offside but that decision was rightly overturned after a VAR review.
Josh Ginnelly then brought out a fine save from McGregor as the visitors started on the front foot and the Light Blues snuggled to get going. Nicolas Raskin was the first to really threaten but Zander Clark tipped over the Belgian’s effort just before the half hour mark before the the Jambos shot-stopper touched a Fashion Sakala effort onto the post.
But Rangers did get on level terms on the stroke of half time and it was that man Cantwell again. Morelos raced down the left and took advantage of a slip from Hill to play in the former Norwich City man who passed the ball into the bottom corner.
Morelos went straight to the Hearts dug-out to celebrate the goal having been involved in a fiery exchange with Steven Naismith earlier.
And the home side were in front early in the second half. Cantwell turned provider with a ball chipped forward and Tobby Sibbick made a mess of his attempted clearance, straight to Sakala who had a simple task of converting but Kuol capitalised on some sloppy play to score with virtually the last kick.
Here’s three talking points from an emotional night in Govan
Old habits die heard
Say what you like about Allan McGregor and Alfredo Morelos this season and they have had fingers pointed at them. But you can’t question the desire of the pair. Even in their last game they refused to go quietly. Veteran keeper McGregor couldn’t let his last appearance at Ibrox pass without a booking for a trademark verbal blast at referee John Beaton.
And, not to be outdone, Morelos also had this name taken by Beaton for a second half challenge on Peter Haring. That was after the Colombian had been involved in that fiery first half exchange with Steven Naismith and the Hearts bench. Scottish football will certainly be a duller place without the South American. Rangers fans have been frustrated with him this season but they still changed his name and unveiled a banner thanking him for the memories - and there’s certainly plenty of them.
Not much he Cant do
Todd Cantwell netted his fourth goal on the trot and his sixth since joining the Light Blues. There’s no doubting he has injected life into Michael Beale’s men. And his former Norwich City team-mate Kieran Dowell - looking on from the Directors Box after being announced as the latest sign just before kick off - then Rangers will have found themselves another gem. Cantwell took his goal so well and set up the second for Fashion Sakala, albeit the Hearts defence helped them out a bit. But the 25-year-old continues to look the part.
Sharp-shooting Shanks
It wasn’t enough to get them third spot but Lawrence Shankland couldn’t have done much more. He took his tally for the season to 28 goals and it’s a stunning return for the Scotland striker. He has often been touted for a move to Rangers and there’s no doubt he would have plenty to offer, albeit Michael Beale said his No. 1 strike target isn’t playing in Scotland. It remains to be seen if what Shankland and Co have done since Steven Naismith came in will be enough to land him the job permanently but the Jambos frontman has been sensation.
