Crestfallen ex-Rangers captain left speechless by Tynecastle collapse as Hearts told title is in the bag
Devastated former Ibrox skipper left lost for words after Rangers blow title chances
Dejected former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson was left lost for words after watching Danny Rohl’s side implode in the second half against Hearts at Tynecastle on Monday evening.
Dujon Sterling’s deflected volley had given the Ibrox club a first half lead in the capital, but the Jambos turned the game on its head after the break with Stephen Kingsley and skipper Lawrence Shankland securing a massive victory over the Light Blues to restore their three-point advantage at the top of the table.
Defeat for Rangers all but ended their title aspirations as Derek McInnes’ men moved seven points clear of them with only three games left to play. And ex-Gers interim boss Ferguson was left devastated when asked for his summation of how events unfolded in Gorgie.
Reacting to the result on the Go Radio Football Show, a crestfallen Ferguson sighed: “Disappointed. I thought in the first-half Rangers were very good, but that counts for nothing. Second half, credit to Hearts. They changed formation, brought Blair Spittal on and went to a back three, toughened up the midfield and they got two goals.
“Overall, really disappointed. Hearts are now seven points clear, I can’t see Rangers getting the title everybody was desperate for. There’s nothing much more I can really say, if I’m being honest.”
Hearts will feel Premiership title is in the bag
Fellow pundit Charlie Mulgrew then chimed in by insisting Hearts’ post-match celebrations suggest they feel as though the league trophy is now bound for Tynecastle.
The former Celtic defender admitted: “That’s Rangers done. The first-half performance from them was top class in terms of fight, effort, winning the battle. Derek McInnes obviously spoke well and got his point across at half-time. The tactical change by bringing on an extra midfielder helped them dominate the second half.
“The minimum Rangers should’ve come away with is a draw. They need to fight out that second half, they didn’t do that. Listen, they’re gone now. That’s them out the title race and they’ll know that themselves. I expect them to keep fighting but they’re done.
“Hearts must feel like that’s it. I just feel the two big games against Hibs and now Rangers, they’ve won both. Celtic and Rangers play each other next week, so Hearts must feel like they’ve got it in the bag judging by the way they’re celebrating. They must feel like that.”