Rangers vs Hearts: Chermiti hat-trick powers Rangers at Ibrox as title race shifts
Youssef Chermiti produced a match-defining display at Ibrox, turning a tight Scottish Premiership contest into a statement win for the home side. The striker’s near-post header — one of three strikes — helped Rangers seize momentum in the title race, leapfrogging Celtic and trimming the gap on leaders Hearts to two points.
Chermiti dominates as Rangers carve open Hearts
Rangers repeatedly found space around the Hearts penalty area, and Chermiti capitalised when the chances arrived. A beautifully timed near-post finish from a precise Andreas Skov Olsen delivery completed the striker’s hat-trick and set the stadium alight, with the crowd roaring after the third goal.
The opener and subsequent finishes came from a rare fluidity in the home side’s attacking play, as full-backs and wingers combined to create overloads on the flanks. With Hearts unable to close down dangerous deliveries, Rangers enjoyed pockets of time in and around the box — a theme that allowed the hosts to take control and press for further opportunities late in the game.
Hearts wilt as chances fall wide and confidence dips
Hearts looked visibly flattened after conceding the third goal, with their structure unravelling and defensive confidence taking a hit. The visitors had moments that might have changed the narrative: Ryan Naderi rose to meet a Tuur Rommens cross but couldn't divert on target under pressure, and Mikey Moore squandered a gilt-edged opportunity when he fired over from inside the area.
Other promising moments for Hearts went begging. Claudio Braga was denied in the box, while a dangerous effort from Craig Halkett was blocked as the visiting side searched desperately for a route back into the match. Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield was blunt in his assessment during live commentary, insisting Moore had to do better from a major chance and suggesting the home side would add another.
Discipline also proved costly for Hearts: Harry Milne picked up a booking in a period of intense action that further unsettled the visitors. Manager Derek McInnes was likely frustrated by how open the game became; the balance shifted sharply as Rangers pressed home their numerical and positional advantages.
What the result means for the title race
The Ibrox victory has immediate repercussions for the top of the table. Rangers have climbed above Celtic and reduced the deficit to Hearts to two points, tightening an already heated title battle with time running down on the campaign. That marks a notable swing from earlier in the season, when Hearts had inflicted Rangers’ last defeat on 21 December.
Momentum now sits firmly with the visiting-beating hosts, who will take confidence from both Chermiti’s finishing and the collective attacking display. Hearts, by contrast, will need an urgent response to restore belief and stem the tide in a run of fixtures that could define their title challenge.
With a long second half of the season remaining, both camps will know this result will be picked over in training all week. Rangers will aim to build on the lift Ibrox provided, while Hearts must regroup quickly if they are to stay on course for silverware.
