Hearts 0-1 Rangers: Sima winner extends Clement’s unbeaten start to 11 games

Abdallah Sima’s 12th Rangers goal ensured manager Philippe Clement’s unbeaten start stretched to 11 games with a Scottish Premiership victory at Hearts.

Prior to that opener, Rangers offered Hearts hope with some slack play as Lawrence Shankland forced Jack Butland into a fine near-post stop before Alex Cochrane’s rebound was somehow blocked on the line by captain Tavernier.

But Clement’s side improved after their goal and could have gone into the break two up when Danilo, who had an earlier finish ruled out for offside, was denied just yards out by the boot of Clark at close range.

A 10th win in 11 meetings against Hearts, who remain third, means Rangers stay eight points behind leaders Celtic with a game to spare.

Rangers ought to have killed the game by the 70th minute, but Danilo could only hit Kyosuke Tagawa on the line after Clark inexplicably spilled before Ridvan Yilmaz flashed two efforts off target either side of a close-range Connor Goldson header.

Kenneth Vargas could have made the wasteful visitors pay for their profligacy, but Butland emphasised his importance to the Ibrox side with another top save to his left.

Player of the match – Jack Butland (Rangers)