Giovanni van Bronckhorst declared the title race on as he ordered his Rangers side to go into the winter break on a high before recharging their batteries for a huge push in the second half of the season.
Malik Tillman’s fourth goal of the season eased the pressure on the under-fire Dutchman with the only goal at a nervy Ibrox against Hearts to make it six wins out of six against Robbie Neilson’s Jambos, who missed the chance to go third in the Scottish Premiership, as Light Blues gaffer.
The victory ensured the gap at the top of the table to rivals and champions Celtic didn’t get any bigger as they remain seven points behind Ange Postecoglou’s men and Van Bronckhorst was delighted. Now they head to St Mirren for a tricky clash on Saturday lunchtime where they could cut the gap at the top to four points with a win in Paisley before Celtic take on Ross County at Parkhead later in the day. The top flight then goes into cold storage for a month with Rangers first in action again when the action returns with a home game against Hibs on December 15 and Van Bronckhorst hopes his side are just warming up.
