Saturday July 23, 2011 Day 1 Finished Ibrox Stadium

Rangers 1 - 1 Heart of Midlothian

  • Naismith 57’
  • Obua 16’

No comments yet | Write your comment

  1. McCoist's first match ends in draw

    McCoist's first match ends in draw

    Ally McCoist's tenure as Rangers manager got off to an uncertain start as the SPL champions drew 1-1 with Hearts at Ibrox. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Rangers
    • Heart of Midlothian
    • 90+3' The final whistle goes, and it's honours even on the opening day for Rangers and Hearts. It is the right result. At least Ally McCoist's first competitive match did not end in defeat. Can Celtic take advantage when they play Hibs? Find out right here at 12:30 on Sunday.
    • 90+2' Davis's corner is headed clear and Hearts regroup. The second ball comes in and Naismith is penalised for a foul on Kello. The goalkeeper certainly got the rub of the green there.
    • 90' Three minutes of stoppage time are called just as Rangers begin to lay siege to the Hearts goal. Can they make a late breakthrough?
    • 88' Papac drives forward and plays the one-two with Naismith. The return pass is a chipped high ball and Papac steers it goalward but with no real conviction, much to the relief of Kello!
    • 86' Wylde has looked lively since he has come on, but McGowan is handling him as well as he did Ortiz.
    • 84' Play is swinging back and forth between these two sides now, but there has been little in the way of clear chances. Neither side seems too eager to go for broke and endure an opening day defeat at this stage.
    • 81' Hearts substitution: Ryan Stevenson replaces Black.
    • 80' Edu makes a clumsy foul on Grainger as Hearts make good progress down the left flank.
    • 78' Hearts are unable to make anything of the corner, but they have a throw-in on the other side of the pitch.
    • 77' GREAT SAVE FROM MCGREGOR!! The ball is nodded into the path of Obua who catches it well on the half-volley, and the Soctland number one tips it behind for a corner!
    • 75' Rangers substitution: Gregg Wylde replaces Ortiz. The 20-year-old, who had a bit of a run in the team at the end of last season, will add a bit of pace as Rangers push for the winner.
    • 74' Whittaker picks out Ortiz with a great fizzing ball across the deck, but the Spaniard's first touch lets him down and McGowan makes the tackle.
    • 73' Jelavic manages to stay onside and chases after a pass over the top, but he barges over Grainger as he tussles for the ball.
    • 72' This game is nicely poised now. The Rangers pressure since half-time appears to have relented a little in the last few minutes. Can Hearts get their noses back in front?
    • 70' Another great tackle from Grainger on Whittaker. It's all been happening down the flanks in this match.
    • 69' Hearts a bit too casual in defence as they try to play their way out of trouble, but they eventually manage to clear the danger.
    • 68' Hearts send plenty forward for a free-kick, but Grainger hits his delivery into the wall.
    • 67' Rangers launch the counter from there and Ortiz is played through the Hearts defence... but the flag is up. Another tight decision, and again the two Hearts centre-backs get the offside trap all wrong.
    • 66' Elliott storms forward and lines up a shot from range but it is blocked by Whittaker.
    • 64' Former Hearts player Lee Wallace is warming up on the touchline. He could soon be making his Rangers debut against his old club.
    • 62' Just as Hearts ran the first half, so Rangers have had by far the better of it since the break. Whittaker is giving Elliott a tough time down the flank at the moment.
    • 60' Lee McCulloch is the first player to be booked this season for a foul on Black. Zaliukas then gets a yelow card too for compalining too much.
    • 58' Naismith scored 11 league goals last season. Can he go better this term?
    • 57' GOAL!! Naismith equalises for Rangers! Sasa Papac sets himself away down the left with a good tackle. He gets his cross in at the second attempt and Naismith glances his header past Kello!
    • 56' Ally McCoist is still sat in the stand rather than in the dugout, and he is relaying instructions down to the bench via a big white telephone, a la Alex Ferguson.
    • 54' Eurosport-Yaoo! reader xeon has a little reality check for Rangers fans if they needed another: "Ally Mccoist was a good player, that does not­ necessarily mean he will be a good manager, dont get­ me wrong good luck to him, just some fans cant see past­ the fact good players dont always make good managers"
    • 52' Jelavic brings the ball down on his chest again, but Eggert Jonsson is on hand to rob him of the ball on the edge of the box.
    • 51' Hearts substitution: Stephen Elliott replaces Templeton.
    • 51' Another chance for Rangers, again for Naismith, but once more they can't beat Kello!
    • 50' TWO CHANCES GO BEGGING FOR RANGERS! First Davisc's toe-poked effort is parried brilliantly by Kello before Naismith works the space but fires over the bar!
    • 49' David sends the ball in and Kirk Broadfoot meets it with a downward header... palmed away by Kello! Broadfoot couldn't quite generate the power needed to beat the keeper!
    • 48' It's Ortiz v McGowan again, and once more the SPaniard will have to settle for a corner.
    • 47' Davis bends the dead ball into the box, but Kello commands his area well to pluck it out of the air.
    • 46' Rangers get the second half underway! Almost immediately, Jelavic draws a foul out wide from Grainger.
    • 45+3' Half-time is blown, and it's fair to say that Ally McCoist's first 45 minutes of competitive football as a manager have not gone to plan. Oh to be a fly on the wall of the home dressing room at half-time!
    • 45+2' There's been a nasty clash of heads between Templeton and Whittaker. This may add another minute or two on to the end of the half.
    • 45+1' Rangers finally bulding some sustained pressure as the half draws to a close. Zaliukas leaps high to head the ball away from Jelavic's vicinity.
    • 45' Two minutes of added time are signalled by the fourth official.
    • 44' Jelavic finds Naismith inside the area with a cushioend lay-off and Ian BLack makes an absolutely crucial challenge! That was almost certainly a goal for Naismith had that challenge not been made!
    • 42' Hearts' two centre-backs aren't reading off the same page and Jelavic latches on to Lee McCulloch's through pass and forces a good save from Kello... but the flag was up for offside anyway. Hearts do have an issue that can be exploited at the heart of their defence.
    • 41' McGowan loops in a long throw but Rangers deal comfortably with it and the subsequent second ball.
    • 39' Terrible blind pass across the pitch from Bougherra and Hearts can attack again. What was he thinking? Fortunately for him, the attack fizzles out.
    • 38' Great first touch from Ortiz, who brings the ball down and bends in a cross that McGowan just gets enough of a touch on to take some of the sting out of it.
    • 36' Davis swings in a curling delivery, but it's too high and too deep and Kello can gather it up.
    • 35' Jelavic is caught late as he holds the ball up inside the Hearts half, trying to relieve some pressure. The free-kick is in a promising position...
    • 34' OBUA NEARLY MAKES IT TWO!! Hearts are rampant at the minute and the goalscorer is picked out at the far post but lashes his strike wide!
    • 33' McGowan gets the better of Ortiz inside the Rangers box and he lays it off to Mehdi Taouil. The cross is a good one but Templeton can't get a clean header on to it.
    • 32' Danny Grainger takes the free-kick but it canons off the wall. Hearts are not deterred and build another attack. Grainger's ball causes problems inside the box but somehow Rangers scramble clear. Set pieces a real weak point for the champions this afternoon.
    • 31' Davis puts in a cynical but necessary challenge on Templeton as he rampaged down the left wing once more.
    • 29' Rangers are stepping thigns up a gear now, but so far Jelavic and Ortiz have been marked out of the game for the most part. Still plenty of time yet, of course.
    • 27' Rangers are yet to test Kello, while Hearts have had two shots on target and a shade more possession.
    • 26' Plenty ofrward here for a Rangers attack, but Steven Davis's dinked cross to the far post is just a touch heavy and it floats out for a goal kick.
    • 25' Templeton chases on to a flick-on and jinks his way through two defenders before toe-poking his shot off the onrushing McGregor! A bit more composure and Rangers could have been two down!
    • 23' Another big appeal for a spot-kick as Marius Zaliukas obstructs Naimsith as he lets the ball roll back to Kello. The actual block was just outside the area, but in any case play is allowed to continue.
    • 22' Again Obua beats Whittaker in the air but the ball rebounds off the Rangers man and strikes Obua on the hand, and Rangers get a free-kick.
    • 21' Hearts come again and Sutton's shot from range is deflected for another corner...
    • 20' Obua is jostled roughly by Bougherra as the Algerian shepherds him out of the area. Good defending there.
    • 19' Plenty of shouts from the home crowd for a penalty as there is some argy bargy in the area as Hearts defend a corner. Referee Calum Murray not interested.
    • 17' That's the Ugandan's first goal in just less than two years, since his struck at St Johnstone in August 2009.
    • 16' GOAL!! The first goal of the 2011/12 season is scored by Hearts! Static defending from the Hearts corner allows Obua to leap and head in the opener! Steven Whittaker most at fault for that one it seems.
    • 15' A role reversal now as Ortiz tracks back to stop McGowan's progress down the wing and Hearts have another corner.
    • 13' It's been a pretty decent game so far, with plenty of attacking intent from both sides. Still, if you don't go all out to win on a gloriously sunny first game of the season, when can you?
    • 11' Apologies, it was Adrian Mrowiec who replaced Webster before.
    • 10' Hearts break now through to Templeton, who brings the ball forward 30 yards or more. Played square to David Obua who looks to have delayed too long before slipping a great through ball behind Maurice Edu for Sutton, but Allan McGregor is off his line quickly to collect.
    • 9' Hearts substitution: Adrian Mrowiec replaces Andy Webster after less than 10 minutes.
    • 8' The first Rangers corner is swungs in, but Hearts get a free-kick for Kirk Broadfoot shoving Kello.
    • 7' McGowan gets in another tackle on Orti, this time at the expense of a corner. That duel looks as though it will be key to the outcome here.
    • 6' That chance seems to have woken Rangers up now, and here they come again. Steven Naismith slips a through ball into Jelvic's path and he's all alone... but the flag is up for offside.
    • 5' ACROBATIC FROM NIKICA JELAVIC!! The Croatian takes a diagonal ball from deep on the chest and fires an agile scissor kick wide of Marian Kello's far post! Great effort though.
    • 3' New Rangers signing Juanma Ortiz nips down the left wing and gets to the byline, but he is tackled solidly by Ryan McGowan. Welcome to Scotland, sonny...
    • 2' David Templeton stes the early tone with a mazy dribble in from the right and tries to get a shot away, only for Madid Bougherra to block it for a corner. Rangers deal with the set piece well and clear.
    • 1' Referee Calum Murray blows his whistle and Hearts get the 2011/12 SPL season underway!
    • 12:28 Tere's a great atmosphere in Ibrox as the home crowd welcome the teams on to the pitch and the championship flag is flown. Remember, Hearts were the last team to break the Old Firm hegemony, finishing second to Rangers in 2005/06. A rousing chorus of 'We are the Champions' and then we're ready to go...
    • 12:25 So how do you think this one will go? Can Jim Jeffries and his players ruin Coisty's big day? share your thoughts either in the comments box below or by getting in touch with me on Twitter @tony_mabert. Get in touch!
    • 12:20 HEAD-TO-HEAD: Rangers and Hearts have played each other 283 tiems in the league. The Gers have won168 of those encounters, Hearts 60. The two SPL clashes at Ibrox betqween these two last season ended 1-0 and 4-0 to the champions in february and May respectively.
    • 12:15 Hearts may have lost Wallace toRangers in the summer transfer window, but they have made a significant adittion of their own - John Sutton. The striker joined on a free transfer from Motherwell, where he scored 17 goals in all competitions this season.
    • 12:10 Later today Motherwell play Caley Thistle and aberdeen host St Johnstone, while tomorrow Celtic begin their title challenge at Hibs without the services of their captain Scott Brown. Team news: Brown banned for Celtic
    • 12:05 Jamie Hamill is suspended for Hearts. Striker Stephen Elliott has recovered from an ear infection which kept him out of last week's friendly against Royal Antwerp, but only makes the bench. Hearts team page
    • 12:05 Rangers are without suspended skipper David Weir for this SPL opener. The veteran defender signed a new one-year contract with the club in the summer. Striker Kyle Lafferty is also out with a hernia problem and should be back in around three weeks' time. Juan Manuel Ortiz makes his Gers debut, but fellow new signing Lee Wallace is only on the bench. Rangers team page
    • 12:00 RANGERS: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra, Broadfoot, Papac, McCulloch, Juanma Ortiz, Davis, Edu, Naismith, Jelavic. Subs: Alexander, Fleck, Wallace, Healy, Wylde, Bendiksen, Hemmings /// HEARTS: Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Black, Jonsson, Templeton, Obua, Taouil, Sutton. Subs: Balogh, Elliott, Stevenson, Novikovas, Gordon Smith, Robinson, Mrowiec
    • 11:55 Ally McCoist makes his competitive bow as Rangers manager as he looks to extend the Gers' world record haul of national league titles to 55. Can the Jambos spoil the party?
    • 11:50 Welcome to Eurosport-Yahoo!'s live coverage of the first match of the 2011/12 SPL season as champions Rangers welcome Hearts to Ibrox!

  • Summary

    • 88' Papac drives forward and plays the one-two with Naismith. The return pass is a chipped high ball and Papac steers it goalward but with no real conviction, much to the relief of Kello!
    • 77' GREAT SAVE FROM MCGREGOR!! The ball is nodded into the path of Obua who catches it well on the half-volley, and the Soctland number one tips it behind for a corner!
    • 57' GOAL!! Naismith equalises for Rangers! Sasa Papac sets himself away down the left with a good tackle. He gets his cross in at the second attempt and Naismith glances his header past Kello!
    • 51' Another chance for Rangers, again for Naismith, but once more they can't beat Kello!
    • 50' TWO CHANCES GO BEGGING FOR RANGERS! First Davisc's toe-poked effort is parried brilliantly by Kello before Naismith works the space but fires over the bar!
    • 49' David sends the ball in and Kirk Broadfoot meets it with a downward header... palmed away by Kello! Broadfoot couldn't quite generate the power needed to beat the keeper!
    • 34' OBUA NEARLY MAKES IT TWO!! Hearts are rampant at the minute and the goalscorer is picked out at the far post but lashes his strike wide!
    • 25' Templeton chases on to a flick-on and jinks his way through two defenders before toe-poking his shot off the onrushing McGregor! A bit more composure and Rangers could have been two down!
    • 16' GOAL!! The first goal of the 2011/12 season is scored by Hearts! Static defending from the Hearts corner allows Obua to leap and head in the opener! Steven Whittaker most at fault for that one it seems.
    • 5' ACROBATIC FROM NIKICA JELAVIC!! The Croatian takes a diagonal ball from deep on the chest and fires an agile scissor kick wide of Marian Kello's far post! Great effort though.
    • 12:00 RANGERS: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra, Broadfoot, Papac, McCulloch, Juanma Ortiz, Davis, Edu, Naismith, Jelavic. Subs: Alexander, Fleck, Wallace, Healy, Wylde, Bendiksen, Hemmings /// HEARTS: Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Black, Jonsson, Templeton, Obua, Taouil, Sutton. Subs: Balogh, Elliott, Stevenson, Novikovas, Gordon Smith, Robinson, Mrowiec

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      - -
      Substitution Out76′ - -
      Strikers
      Goal - -
      - -
      Subs
      Substitution In76′ 1 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Substitution Out8′ - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      - -
      Goal - -
      - -
      Substitution Out81′ - -
      Substitution Out51′ - -
      Strikers
      - -
      Subs
      Substitution In51′ - -
      Substitution In8′ - -
      Substitution In81′ 10 -

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account