Hearts were given a ruthless awakening as they were taken apart by Rangers on a miserable night at Tynecastle.
Robbie Neilson changed his game plan with a view to trying to catch Rangers on the counter-attack but it failed miserably as the system was over-run by the Ibrox side.
In fairness to the manager the players simply didn't follow the instructions but it was more about how Rangers played. The wing backs were exposed and Hearts were exposed in the middle of the park too. Barrie McKay had a chance at 1-0 but shot straight at Allan McGregor. It was a tough night for the fans who had enjoyed a 10-game unbeaten run and St Mirren are now breathing down their necks in the race for the best of the rest spot. Here's how we rated the home side at Tynecastle.
READ MORE: Hearts 0 Rangers 3 as Light Blues run riot in comfortable Tynecastle win - 3 things we learned
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Zander Clark - 8
Hearts’ best player as he made big saves from Kent and Sakala and a wonderful block to keep Lundstram out in the first half alone with a string of second half stops.
Tony Sibbick - 5
Had to work so hard to try to keep Sakala at bay in a whirlwind start by Rangers and it was tough all night for the centre back.
Kye Rowles - 5
An equally tough night as Rangers swarmed all over the Hearts’ defence for most of the night and he did well to stop it not being more punitive.
Stephen Kingsley - 6
Such a busy night as Hearts were cut apart by a rampant Rangers side and was brushed off the ball too easily at times by Tillman
James Hill - 5
Looked swamped and found it hard to get into the game. Couldn’t stop Borna Barisic marauding down the left side and taken off at half-time.
Garang Kuol - 5
Lovely break in 22 minutes and set up McKay in what was Hearts’ only first half attack but he was completely over-run in midfield.
Robert Snodgrass - 6
Tried his best to inject some passion into the game but was also a bystander as Rangers dominated the middle of the park
Barrie McKay - 6
Had a big chance in 22 minutes when Kuol played him in but he shot too close to McGregor. Bad night at the office.
Alex Cochrane - 5
The only bonus was John Beaton changed a penalty call after a monitor check and booked Ryan Kent for diving.
Lawrence Shankland - 5
Might have scored in the second half but it would have mattered little on a terrible night.
Josh Ginnelly - 5
No real supply in fairness as Hearts were hemmed in for so long but offered very little.
Subs
Alan Forrest 6 -
Showed some threat when he came on and hit the post.
Orestis Kiomourtzoglou 5 -
Sent on at half-time to toughen up the midfield area
Yutaro Oda -5
Had a shot on target after coming on late in the game.
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