Instant analysis: Bad Hearts decision making in Rangers loss

Steven Naismith's men kept the Ibrox side at bay in the first 45 minutes but they conceded just five minutes after the interval when Zander Clark brought Danilo down in the box with James Tavernier scoring the resultant penalty. Two more goals would follow in the next 14 minutes through Scott Wright then Tavenier again. Either side of the latter goal Jack Butland produced two big saves from Frankie Kent and Stephen Kingsley.

Hearts would get a consolation with Lawrence Shankland netting from the spot after Stephen Kingsley was brought down in the box. It was a decision which Nick Walsh originally got wrong only for VAR to intervene after he had booked and sent the defender off for diving. 

Our writers Joel Sked and James Cairney provide their analysis:

Hearts stick to Ibrox template 

Steven Naismith stuck with the same game plan that he had deployed at Ibrox last week, and the opening 45 minutes at Hampden played out in much the same fashion. The biggest call came in midfield, where Jorge Grant was preferred to Cammy Devlin, as the Hearts boss added a little creativity at the expense of some defensive solidity. Given Devlin’s considerable talents off the ball, it will not have been a decision that was taken lightly. Moreover, it left Naismith short of options if Hearts required a more attacking presence in midfield. 

There was no early goal for Hearts this time but the team’s 5-3-2 shape proved difficult to break down and Rangers were struggling to get through. Phillipe Clement’s side were finding some joy down the left – Toby Sibbick was too easily beaten on occasion – but the crosses into the area rarely found their man. Rangers were clearly targeting Kye Rowles but the Australian centre-half stood up to the pressure well and won most of his aerial battles. 

Hearts hadn’t had too many opportunities of their own but Kenneth Vargas’ speed was causing the Rangers defence some problems as he stretched the pitch. Neither Connor Goldson nor Leon Balogun is blessed with pace and although the ball wasn’t always worked to Vargas, the Costa Rican attacker was always a willing runner. Shortly before the break, Vargas hared after a Lawrence Shankland pass forward that looked like a lost cause, only to beat Balogun for pace and win a throw-in deep in Rangers’ half. It was a ploy that worked – but Hearts simply weren’t trying it often enough. 

It was a system that worked on the assumption that the game was level or that Hearts had a lead to defend – but if they found themselves trailing, it was difficult to see where the goals would come from.  

Switching play

Hearts head coach Steven Naismith is an animated figure on the touchline at the best of times, even more so when he wants the team to open the game up. While Hearts were organised and kept Rangers at arm's length for most of the first half there was a frustration that they perhaps didn't take more opportunity to get at Rangers after winning the ball. 

There were possibilities to get the ball out to Alex Cochrane specifically when the play was going down the team's right. But there either seemed an unwillingness to play the pass or simply a lack of awareness. This isn't an issue exclusive to this afternoon but it is something the team need to improve going forward to make the team a more attacking proposition. That responsibility is on those in midfield, especially Nieuwenhof and Baningime. Not doing so allows the opposition to get back behind the goal. Hearts need to be quicker in possession and doing so will allow them to be quicker on the counter.

Bad decision making

"I’ve felt in this first period of the season, a lot of the goals we’ve conceded have been self-inflicted," Steven Naismith said when asked to reflect on the first 11 league games of the season. That proclivity reared its head once more at Hampden Park. Zander Clark had performed admirably in the first half with some key stops, notable for the placement of where he pushed them in crowded situations with Rangers players on hand to pounce on rebounds.

Mount Florida has had some special moments for him during his time with St Johnstone, winning both the Scottish Cup and League Cup. However, his decision to go to ground as Danilo went away from goal is one he will no doubt regret. His body language suggested that when it dawned on him that Nick Walsh had pointed to the spot. When analysing such incidents it is important to note everything happens very quickly and he is not the first and certainly won't be the last goalkeeper to go to ground in such a situation. But it is poor decision making. Stand and guide him away from the goal, allow defenders to retreat and then react. 

It opened the floodgates somewhat but it will be an afternoon Clark won't want to remember all that well. He stood still for the James Tavernier penalty which had merit behind it following the Rangers captain's previous effort against the club, however he also stood still for the right-back's free-kick which beat him on his side.

Poor reaction to falling behind 

Rangers’ opening goal was a soft one to concede from a Hearts perspective, but it was the team’s reaction to falling behind that will be the biggest frustration for supporters. Only five minutes had passed before Rangers broke forward at pace and doubled their lead through Scott Wright, with Clement’s side somehow outnumbering the men in maroon as they drove forward menacingly. 

Naismith then turned to his bench to try and change the game as he brought on Alan Forrest and Yutaro Oda to add some attacking flair, but within minutes the contest was all but settled. Rowles gave away a free-kick on the edge of the area and Tavernier required no second invitation to slam the ball home. 

It was a poor reaction to adversity but perhaps most worryingly of all, it is becoming a habit. The two shipped goals in the derby arrived back-to-back, as did Rangers’ two late goals at Ibrox last week. At a time when Hearts should really be calming things down and steadying the ship to avoid further calamity, the team are looking concerningly vulnerable. 

The wait goes on

Another year passes without League Cup success for Hearts. And the club are still to defeat Rangers at Hampden Park. It will be 62 years by the time the 2024 final comes around since the team last won the competition.

Yes, it is not the Scottish Cup. That one is more important, means more and comes with greater rewards. However, such a record in the country's secondary competition, in an environment where winning trophies are limited due to the Old Firm, is bordering on a disgrace if it hasn't already got there. 

There is always next year...