Focus on Hearts quartet as Kyosuke Tagawa stuns Rangers

The home side took the lead in the first half through who else but Lawrence Shankland. Rangers, however, would hit back with three goals in half an hour. Dexter Lembikisa gave Hearts a lifeline with a fine finish before Kyosuke Tagawa took the roof off Tynecastle with a stunning equalising volley.

Joel and James look back at the six-goal thriller.

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What a way to finish

Okay, the Rangers scratch wasn't itched. Hearts were unable to "shut a few people up" in the words of Craig Gordon with a win over the Ibrox side, completing the clean sweep of beating every domestic opponent they have faced this season. For a period of the game that looked like changing thanks to Lawrence Shankland's wonderful first-half finish. But Hearts fell out of the game after the interval. They were too easy to attack against and the use of the ball was poor. It allowed Rangers to break on them and have space to score as they did so three times in less than 30 second-half minutes. There will be regret among the players that they didn't win but they could not be criticised for a lack of application and desire. That showed with the way they battled back. And if you are not going to beat one of the Old Firm, the best thing to do is score a last-minute goal to deny them the win. And that's exactly how they did it with a stunning effort from Kyosuke Tagawa and a bouncing Tynecastle Park.

Two short

Due to the defeat Hearts would finish two short of the 70-point target. However, the final tally of 68 is a fine achievement. In the last 30 seasons, there has only been two occasions where the team finishing third have earned more points. Both of those times were Rangers. And one of those when they finished behind Hearts in 2005/06. The late goal and point rounded off a successful season.

Oda lights up first half

The Japanese winger’s goal against Rangers on the final day of last season served as an apt reminder of what he could offer to the team going forward, and history repeated itself on Saturday as the attacker lit up the first half. Twice he left his marker Robbie Fraser on his backside with some nimble footwork to advance into the box, but the final ball was lacking on both occasions. Oda would, however, play a key role in Lawrence Shankland’s opener just after the half-hour mark. The attacker was tracking back and did well to read a Todd Cantwell pass, nipping in to intercept the ball quickly. He then released it quickly, drilling a ball beyond the Rangers backline for Shankland to chase – and Hearts’ No.9 did what he does best with a delicate chip to send the ball beyond Jack Butland. Oda might be Hearts’ third-top scorer with five goals this season, but assists are an area of his game that require further improvement. This was Oda’s first assist of the season – a welcome sight, but one that we could do with seeing a little more regularly.

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Clark finishes with strong outing

It was expected by many that Craig Gordon would start the final match of the season with the goalkeeper noting on Friday that it would mean he and Zander Clark had played six games each from the last 12. However, Clark was restored to the role he has carried out very well across the season and showcased that steady presence once more with an impressive display. While Cyriel Dessers showed have scored when Ross McCausland squared for him, Clark did exceptionally well to move his feet, get across and down to block at point-blank range. There was perhaps an even better stop later in the first half when Dessers struck a fierce shot but a strong arm from the goalkeeper denied the misfiring Rangers frontman. Aside from that, he dealt really well with tricky efforts from distance and displayed good decision-making when dealing with crosses. He could do little with Rangers' three goals and ensured Hearts were still in the position to get a point with a couple of important late saves. It was another strong showing in a strong season from a player who is in no mood to give up his No.1 position.

Solution for problem position

It is no secret that the right-hand side of defence has been an area where Hearts have struggled this season. Whether it’s a right-back in a back four or a wing-back ahead of a three-man defence, neither Nathaniel Atkinson nor Dexter Lembikisa have managed to nail down a place and make the position their own. But on the final day of the season, Naismith may have found a solution. Stephen Kingsley started on the right of the back four against Rangers, meaning the versatile defender has now played in every position across the backline at one point or another this season – a remarkable achievement – and, as expected, he was his usual reliable self. Kingsley looked comfortable out on the right, and even managed to whip a couple of deliveries into the box after cutting inside onto his favoured left foot. Perhaps the biggest compliment he can be paid is that neither Scott Wright nor Fabio Silva made much of an impact on proceedings, and Rangers didn’t get much joy down that flank. Further reinforcements at right-back will surely arrive during the summer, but it is yet another string added to Kingsley’s already impressive bow.

Vibrant Vargas

The Costa Rican didn’t get on the scoresheet against Rangers, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying. Over the piece, Vargas was probably Hearts’ best player before being replaced by Kyosuke Tagawa with five minutes to go and the standing ovation he received from the home supporters was well-earned. Twisting this way and that, he made a habit of wriggling his way out of tight situations and was a constant threat with the ball at his feet. He was a consistent out ball when Hearts wanted to go long – one occasion where he delicately plucked a long ball out of the air at full sprint was met with a roar from approval from the stands – and he was unfortunate not to score in the second half when he peeled to the back post for a free header, only to steer his effort narrowly wide of the far post. His neat dribble and chipped cross to Lembikisa for Hearts’ second was expertly executed and when he trudged off the park for the game’s closing stages, he could reflect on a job well done.