Rangers draw with Hearts in dramatic Premiership clash

Olwethu Makhanya's late header earned Rangers a 2-2 draw against Heart of Midlothian in a dramatic Premiership match at Tynecastle on Wednesday. The result extends the Ibrox side's unbeaten run to five league games, keeping them second in the table on 23 points, four points behind leaders Celtic. They have taken that total from ten games, with a record of seven wins, two draws and one loss.

Kevin Kelsy opened the scoring for the visitors after 16 minutes, finishing smartly from a Ryan Naderi assist. Hearts responded strongly after the break, with Claudio Rafael Soares Braga levelling three minutes into the second half. Calvin Miller then put the hosts ahead just before the hour mark, turning the game on its head.

Rangers pressed for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 89th minute when substitute Badredine Bouanani delivered a cross for Makhanya to power home. The point means Rangers' recent form reads three wins and two draws from their last five matches, a sequence that began with a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock and includes victories over Celtic and a 4-0 thrashing of St Johnstone where Kelsy scored twice and Naderi was also on target.

Le Bris rings the changes

Manager Philippe Le Bris made several changes to his side following the 4-0 win over St Johnstone. The alterations did not disrupt Rangers' early rhythm, with Kelsy's opener showing the effective link-up play between him and Naderi, who is the club's top scorer this season with five goals in nine appearances. The team's overall attacking output this season stands at 17 goals scored.

Hearts grew into the contest, however, and their second-half fightback tested a Rangers defence that had conceded just seven goals in ten league matches prior to this fixture, giving them a goal difference of plus ten. The two goals conceded here double the total from their previous four outings combined.

What comes next

The focus now shifts to the next challenge, an away trip to face St Mirren on Saturday 7 November. St Mirren currently sit sixth in the standings, presenting another tough away test. Rangers will look to build on the character shown in this comeback as they aim to close the four-point gap at the top. The full squad list and availability for that match can be viewed on the club's squad page.

This draw, following the 4-0 victory over St Johnstone and the 2-2 result at Dundee, maintains Rangers' position as the league's second-highest scorers with 17 goals. The team travels to Paisley in ten days' time.

Background and full detail: rangers.co.uk