Rangers vs Hearts: Chermiti hat-trick swings title race as Ibrox thriller delivers 4-2
Rangers produced an explosive second-half recovery to beat league leaders Hearts 4-2 at Ibrox, with Youssef Chermiti scoring a decisive hat-trick to turn a nervy encounter into a statement victory. The result reshuffles the top of the Scottish Premiership and leaves the title fight tighter than ever.
Chermiti the match-winner as Rangers mount comeback
It was the sort of game that lives long in the memory: end-to-end action, turning points and a forward who stepped up when it mattered. Chermiti, criticised at times earlier in the season, answered questions emphatically with three goals that proved the difference. The strike completed a dramatic swing from a Hearts side that had twice taken the lead in the first half.
Rangers manager Danny Röhl hailed his team’s resilience after the win, emphasising their recovery over the 90 minutes and the hard work that has gone into reshaping the squad since his arrival. The victory injected fresh hope into Rangers’ bid to close the gap on the resumed title contenders and will be seized upon as proof the side can respond in big matches.
Hearts hurt but defiant — injuries and lessons to learn
Hearts leave Ibrox frustrated but not panicked. Derek McInnes made clear his disappointment at conceding goals at inopportune moments but praised the character and effort of his players. He highlighted that the team often looked most vulnerable when committing bodies forward and losing structure while in opposition territory.
Injury concerns compounded Hearts’ disappointment. McInnes offered updates: striker Lawrence Shankland is likely to be sidelined until the back end of March, while Cammy Devlin has a chance of returning for the Aberdeen match on February 28. Earlier in the game Hearts suffered a blow when Oisin McEntee damaged his shoulder and had to be replaced; that change precipitated an own goal that shifted momentum to the home side.
Despite the defeat, McInnes struck an optimistic note in the dressing room, reminding players of their current league position and the favourable run of fixtures coming up. He underlined the club’s belief that a string of home matches before the split offers ample opportunity to regroup and collect points.
Title race tightens and the calendar ahead (times in ET)
The weekend’s results have opened the title race. Rangers’ win trims the margin; Celtic remain in the mix and Motherwell have emerged as an unexpected contender with a long unbeaten run. Only a few points now separate the top sides, and every fixture carries heightened significance as the season approaches the split.
Both teams have a midweek breather before returning to domestic commitments. Hearts host Falkirk next Saturday at 10: 00 AM ET, followed by a home game against Aberdeen on February 28. Rangers travel to Livingston the following day at 10: 00 AM ET. On the continental and domestic front, a key fixture sees Celtic face Stuttgart on Thursday at 3: 00 PM ET, ahead of a visit from Hibs on Sunday at 10: 00 AM ET.
For Hearts, the immediate focus is recovery — both physically and mentally — and making the most of their run of home fixtures. For Rangers, the task is to build momentum and prove the win was not an isolated response but the start of a sustained charge. The title race is set for a tense few weeks; this Ibrox night will be remembered as one of the moments that swung it.
