Hearts Hold Rangers to Opening Day Draw

Rangers were forced to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Hearts in the opening game of the new Scottish Premiership season on Saturday.

With Scottish champions Celtic opening their title defense at home to Kilmarnock on Sunday, Rangers have the chance to issue a statement of intent to their title rivals.

But Philippe Clement put in an erratic display at Tynecastle, characterized by poor finishing and a lack of midfield cohesion.

“I wasn’t satisfied with the first half, certainly the first half hour,” Rangers manager Clement said.

We lacked intensity in the couple. With the ball, we weren’t calm enough, not brave enough to do the right thing.

“The first half was for Hearts, the second half was for us. We had good chances to finish the game.

“It’s a development in that way, and we need to say it was a fair point.”

It was exactly what Rangers fans had feared when Clement sounded a warning ahead of Rangers’ latest bid to win their first title since 2021.

The Belgian took over from Michael Bale last October and sparked a turnaround in form that included a League Cup triumph and briefly brought them back into title contention before Celtic fell away in the closing stages.

But just 24 hours after agreeing to extend his contract until 2028, Clement hardly inspired confidence when he admitted before kick-off that his squad was “probably not as strong” as last season and It may take several months to get up to speed.

Rangers endured a difficult close-season with incredible friendly performances, debatable transfer activity and construction delays that meant their refurbished Ibrox stadium was unavailable for the start of the season.

And Clement’s cautious tone appeared prophetic as Rangers struggled to keep Hearts at bay.

Scotland striker Laurence Shankland, who scored 24 league goals last season, starts for Hearts amid speculation over a potential move to Rangers.

Shankland took just 60 seconds to show his quality with a powerful strike that forced Jack Butland into a good stop.

The Rangers goalkeeper was called into action again moments later to keep out James Pence’s strike after a clever move opened up the visitors’ defence.

Rangers were on the ropes and Yan Dhanda’s curler deflected off the crossbar as the heart rate rose.

Connor Barron made his Rangers debut after joining from Aberdeen, but Robin Perper, who signed from FC Twenty on Thursday, was denied his Rangers debut due to paperwork.

Barron was inches away from putting Rangers ahead against the run of play but the midfielder’s low drive was clawed to safety by Xander Clarke.

Serial defenders squandered an even better chance for Rangers when the striker scooped over from close range.

Rangers finally found some momentum and Clarke saved well from the Decers just before half-time.

The Dessers missed another golden chance early in the second half, the striker’s luck running out completely as he hit the bar from close range and watched in disbelief as the rebound skimmed the post.

Vaclav Cerny came off the bench to make his Rangers debut after signing on loan from Wolfsburg, before Clarke’s brilliant save dipped Tom Lawrence’s half-volley into the top corner.

Held in check by the Rangers defense for long periods, Shankland managed to chip clear for a close-range effort which was parried by Butland, but neither side could find a winner.

Motherwell will host Ross County in Saturday’s second game, with the remainder of the opening fixtures played between Sunday and Monday.