Scotland: Hearts hold Rangers
Hearts 0 - 0 Rangers
Hearts and Rangers kicked off the Scottish Premiership season with a draw, highlighting that last season's runners-up are still finding their footing after a turbulent summer.
The teams met again at Tynecastle, where they had concluded the previous season with a thrilling 3-3 draw. In that match, Hearts secured a point with a last-minute equaliser from Kyosuke Tagawa. This time, Hearts, who finished third last season, were unlucky not to edge out an evenly-matched contest, indicating they have closed the gap on Rangers over the summer.
Hearts' head coach Steven Naismith extended his unbeaten home streak to 12 games. Still, it is Philippe Clement, the Rangers' manager, who may feel more satisfied with the result, as it maintains Rangers' 16-game unbeaten run against Hearts.
The draw gives champions Celtic a chance to end the opening weekend two points ahead of two potential top-of-the-table rivals when they host Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Where next for Rangers?
Rangers' pre-season problems on and off the pitch suggested they arrived in the capital with levels of vulnerability.
Rangers gradually worked themselves into the game and Connor Barron, the only visiting summer signing to start, had a low drive turned wide by Zander Clark and Cyriel Dessers' flick found the roof of the net and then the striker fired a shot off the goalkeeper's legs.
Clement will still be hoping for more additions to the squad. Despite the loss of two points, he will be happy to escape without a defeat that would have been damaging to their title hopes - and their morale.
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How the Rangers boss responded to yesterday's draw with Hearts.
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Mark, a Rangers from Preston, told us: "I am not happy. We struggled in pre-season and there were some concerning signs in this match. I think that we really need to sign a few players if we are going to challenge Celtic for the title."
Positive signs again for Hearts
Hearts were quick off the mark in the summer transfer market. They signed midfielder Malachi Boateng from Crystal Palace, only hours before kick-off.
They were quick out of the blocks against Rangers and, although the visitors improved after the break and had chances to win the game themselves, it was the hosts whose strength from the bench ensured they also finished the game stronger.
Peter, a Hearts fan, was happy with some aspects of his side's performance. He said: "Shame we didn't get the win. However, I thought we played quite well at times. I am very optimistic about the new season."
