Kai Watson: Danny Rohl's Repugnant Rangers
Hearts had a chance to put massive pressure on both Celtic and Rangers by pulling away even further in front this weekend. Both Glasgow teams played on Sunday whereas Hearts had to make the trip to Tannadice for an 8PM Saturday kick-off. On paper, Tannadice is always a tough place to go, although Jim Goodwin’s side have been underperforming in recent weeks.
Still, it’s not a nice place to go at the best of times, never mind on a Saturday night in January. That being said, it only took Hearts around eleven minutes to hit their stride. Brilliant play down the left from Harry Milne led to him driving to the line and firing an excellent ball across the box which Pierre Landry Kabore met expertly for a simple finish.
The game was turned on its head just over ten minutes later. Amar Fatah had a chance at the back post but couldn’t control it to get a decent shot away but the play was then pulled back for something he did earlier in that phase of play. He went in for a 50/50 with Marc Leonard but he was slightly late and it ended up being a nasty looking challenge with a follow through right on the Scotsman's ankle.
It went to VAR and Calum Scott decided that it was worthy of a red card, a decision that ended up being massively controversial over social media. VAR was then called into play again five minutes later when Claudio Braga was fouled by Ryan Strain, right on the edge of the box. After a VAR intervention it was found to have been on the line and the penalty was given which Kyziridis dispatched expertly.
Hearts were fully in control even before Dundee United went down to nine men when Panutche Camara pushed his head towards Marc Leonard and was dismissed for violent conduct. A deflected Kabore shot on the turn in the 81st minute sealed the game for the league leaders and put them seven clear of Rangers and nine clear of Celtic.
Hibs vs Rangers was up first on Sunday with Danny Rohl’s side looking to keep the pressure on Hearts. However, after a bright opening ten minutes, Hibs found their feet and will perhaps be disappointed they didn’t come away with a win.
Martin Boyle had the best chance of the game when through one vs one with Butland but couldn’t convert it. Hibs deserve massive credit, after a slow start to the game, they gave Rangers nothing for the last 70 or so minutes. Hibs fans will also be happy with how bright new signings Kai Andrews, Owen Elding and Dane Scarlett looked.
Celtic kicked off against Falkirk as the second half was about to start at Easter Road and it played out similarly to the match between the two recently. Falkirk had some decent chances, with Schmeichel making a brilliant save from a Barney Stewart header before Scott Bain made a smart save from a thunderous Yang strike. Celtic took the lead on the 39th minute though through a brilliant Tomas Cvancara header from a Tierney cross, he was running away from goal and managed to direct it into the opposite corner off of the post to get his first goal for the club.
Each side traded chances again before great link up play between McGregor and Nygren down the left led to the Sweden international firing a great effort into the far top corner leaving Bain with little chance.
Celtic won comfortably in the end but it was another ‘what if’ for Falkirk if they could have been more clinical. Celtic now jump back into second, albeit they’re level on points with Rangers, and Hearts currently sit six clear of both with fourteen matches left to play.
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