When it was finally over and the cacophony had ceased assailing your eardrums, the body language of the respective players was telling. Those in maroon made their way back up the tunnel with clenched fists and broad smiles, while those clad in blue stared into the middle distance in silence.
Hearts on the Brink
Hearts are now on the brink of a historic title. In passing this colossal test of mettle, they effectively ended Rangers' championship challenge while ensuring that Celtic need a favour, or a landslide win, in their three remaining matches to stop them. A three-point lead over Celtic for the Tynecastle men will stretch to six by Saturday night if they can overcome Motherwell at Fir Park. If that comes to pass, Rangers would arithmetically be out of it, and Celtic would be deep in must-win territory when they face the Ibrox men the following day.
We could be just nine days away from the engraver getting to work. The landscape of Scottish football may soon change beyond all recognition.
Second-Half Dominance
Hearts deserved this victory. They were unsure of themselves in the first half and deservedly trailed to Dujon Sterling's opener. However, their performance in the second half was that of champions in waiting. Using the energy of a pulsating Tynecastle, they completely dominated Rangers. When Stephen Kingsley levelled, there was a sense there would only be one winner. From the moment Lawrence Shankland's left-foot missile whistled past Jack Butland, it was game over.
It is hard to piece together an argument for Hearts failing now. Still unbeaten at their spiritual home, they have gleaned five wins and a draw from their seven matches with the Old Firm. Win at Fir Park and they will have one hand on the trophy.
Rangers' Desperate Day
What a desperate day this was for Danny Rohl and his players. After losing at home to Motherwell last week, a win was simply non-negotiable. They were on course for victory after a hugely impressive first half only to fail to turn up in the second period. It was a lamentable surrender. While the arithmetic tells you they are not quite out of the picture yet, they would need a miracle to claw back seven points across the three remaining games.
The German has rightly been lauded for turning the shambles he inherited from Russell Martin into a functioning football team. But steadying the ship is never enough for Rangers managers. Rohl had the time to turn this situation around and certainly had financial backing. Back-to-back losses in the opening post-split fixtures is a dismal return and will see questions asked. As things stand, he joins the ever-growing list of Rangers managers who have cracked when the heat has been on.
Tynecastle Atmosphere
Tynecastle was smouldering. The old place had borne witness to some febrile atmospheres down the years, but this was something else. Not a seat to be had, not a fingernail remaining. Rohl has used the Cup Final analogy a lot lately ahead of league games; this time, it felt entirely apt. Not quite winner-takes-all, but a game loaded with consequences and jeopardy. A barnstormer of a Bank Holiday clash was widely anticipated.
It was never likely to be a thing of beauty, but it still snapped and crackled, every challenge greeted with a roar from the sun-kissed stands.
First-Half Action
Hearts settled then relinquished control of the match. Marc Leonard's deep free-kick was met by Craig Halkett, whose header flashed over. Rangers had far more out-balls. When Mikey Moore landed on one and dropped a shoulder on the right, his low cross invited a team-mate to gamble, but none did. Nico Raskin still gathered the scraps and worked Alexander Schwolow with a strike that he palmed away. From James Tavernier's corner, Tochi Chukwuani wriggled free of his marker, but his header from five yards unforgivably flashed over.
Rangers' capacity to score off set plays was hardly breaking news. Yet when Tavernier lined up a long throw on the right, Hearts simply did not deal with the situation. It was allowed to float above the heads of five maroon jerseys. Sterling was alert at the far post and drilled his shot into the ground. It may have taken a deflection as it flew away from Schwolow and into the far corner. Not that the visiting supporters cared how it hit the net. It had been coming.
It stung Hearts. They were loose and predictable in possession, failing to piece together any cohesive moves. There was little enterprise down the flanks from Alexandros Kyziridis and Islam Chesnokov. Chesnokov did not re-emerge for the second half, with Blair Spittal replacing him. Initially lacking guile in midfield, the ball was repeatedly launched towards Claudio Braga and Shankland, but Manny Fernandez and Nasser Djiga simply brushed them aside and instigated another attack.
Hearts' frustrations grew as the interval approached. Shankland was late on Fernandez and deservedly booked. Rangers were worthy of their slender advantage at the interval. Unlike their opponents, they had handled the occasion better to that point.
Second-Half Comeback
Hearts improved markedly after the break. They had no option in that regard. They played with greater purpose, tempo, and renewed belief. Fernandez managed to stretch out a leg and prevent Shankland's strike from working Butland, but it was still a moment of encouragement. Braga snatched at a shot as he was falling to the turf, but Butland was always behind it.
But Hearts had found something and would soon draw level. Kyziridis had been poor to that point but reminded us of his ability when he cut in from the right and crashed a shot off the far post. Time seemed to stand still as the rebound made its way to Kingsley. The calmest of side-foot finishes drew his side level. Rangers were now the side making all the errors. Kyziridis executed a cute nutmeg on Djiga only to fire straight at the keeper. Desperately needing a goal, Rohl swapped the again anonymous Andreas Skov Olsen for Djeidi Gassama.
Hearts had gone up a gear, maybe two. The manner of the goal which turned the game on its head typified their commitment. Kingsley might well have given up on the ball as it rolled towards the line. He got on his heels and chased it down, producing a fine cross. A deflection ensured Shankland had a lot of work to do. Pulling his left foot back, he struck it like a hammer. Butland did not stand a chance. Tynecastle exploded.
Only a quite brilliant save by the Englishman soon after prevented Spittal from making it three. Rangers were just about alive. Within seconds at the other end, substitute Thelo Aasgaard clipped the bar with a header. Rangers got increasingly desperate. Every one of McInnes' players grew in stature as the clock ticked down, making blocks, winning tackles, finding energy from somewhere. They got there in the end. They are almost there now.
