Rangers dropped two points on the opening day of the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season after being held to an entertaining goalless draw by Hearts in front of a packed Tynecastle.
A new campaign often brings fresh optimism and a renewed sense of belief, but this was a hugerly concerning performance from Philippe Clement’s new-look side in the capital, looking second best for large spells of the contest against a well-drilled Jambos outfit.
Returning to the scene of their six-goal thriller on the final day of last season, the Ibrox side were on the backfoot from the outset. The opening 45 minutes was dominated by the men in maroon with Jack Butland by far the busier of the two goalkeepers. He made important saves from Hearts’ skipper Lawrence Shankland and debutant James Penrice inside the opening 15 minutes, while the visitors struggled to conjure up much in the way of an attacking threat.
Frontman Cyriel Dessers wasted three good chances to notch an opening-day hat-trick, with the best of the Nigerian’s opportunities coming in the second half when his close-range header bounced off the woodwork.
The Gers were forced into some last-ditch defending inside the final 10 minutes, with a series of set-piece chances falling the way of Steven Naismith’s side. Substitute Blair Spittal almost broke the deadlock late on when Butland got himself in a tangle with veteran defender Leon Balogun, but his effort was deflected away to safety.
Clement’s men remain a work in progress on this evidence after a summer of turmoil both on and off the pitch. In the end, the Belgian boss will be happier to settle for a share of the spoils, a result which extend the Gers unbeaten run against the Gorgie outfit to 16 meetings.
9. Scott Wright - 4/10
Flatters to deceive. Didn't have much impact at all. Subbed. | SNS Group
10. Oscar Cortes - 5/10
Positive early link-up play with Lawrence but didn't bring much creativity to proceedings. Looked to be in real discomfort right on the stroke of half-time after a challenge from Taylor but reappeared for the second half only to last two minutes before going off injured. | SNS Group
11. Cyriel Dessers - 6/10
First sighting of goal after 20 mins, taking a great touch to lift the ball over his marker in the box before his attempted lob over the keeper flew over the bar. Thwarted by Clark just before half-time with a hooked effort on the turn. Struck the woodwork from a close-range header on 54 mins and could easily have had a hat-trick on another day. | Getty Images
12. Rabbi Matondo (SUB) - 4/10
Replaced Cortes early in the second half. Almost instantly had a shot from roughly 40 yards which sailed miles off target. | SNS Group