Heart of Midlothian 0-1 Rangers: Three things we learned

By Alexander Cruickshanks

Rangers travelled to Tynecastle to take on Steven Naismith’s Hearts who were on a four-game winning streak. The Ibrox side ended up 1-0 victors over the Jambos. Let’s look at what stood out:

Rangers attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell (Image: Getty Images)

Rangers need another striker

The scoreline was 1-0 at the end of the 90, but it should have been a lot more. Rangers had 22 shots with six of them being ‘big chances’ and five on target. A clear lack of clinical finishing from the Rangers attackers was displayed as their expected goals was 2.51. The most notable misses came from Brazilian forward Danilo. A ball played into the box fell perfectly to the Teddy Bears’ number 99 about six yards out. He took a good touch to set himself and hit it straight at Zander Clark in the Hearts goal. The other resulted from another set piece where Clark came to collect the cross and dropped it behind him into the path of Danilo. Taking a touch that slowed down the play he allowed the Hearts defender to come across and block a shot that should have been a free goal. With the only other option off the bench being Cyriel Dessers, Philippe Clement should be looking to bring in a goalscorer in January.

 Abdallah Sima is on fire (again)

Abdallah Sima celebrates his brace vs St Mirren (Image: Getty Images)

After a slow start to the season, Rangers forward Abdallah Sima hit brilliant form, scoring nine in all competitions for his side, helping them through some difficult games. Some of his most notable goals were his scrappy tap-in against Real Betis in the Europa League group stage and his brilliant brace against Hibs in Philippe Clement’s first game in charge. However, he had seemed to have quietened down a bit while still doing his bit on the left wing: Running at defenders, winning aerial duels and creating space for others. His goalscoring form seemed to be at an end until last Sunday against St Mirren where he bagged a brace to take his season tally up to 11 and his league tally to seven. In this match, he made it 12 and eight respectively, latching onto a brilliantly weighted pass from James Tavernier and put it through the legs of Clark with a cool finish. Sima is the joint top scorer in the Scottish Premiership along with Matt O’Riley on eight goals and the Rangers fans will be hoping he remains in this brilliant form.

Zander Clark is playing himself out of a Euros spot.

Zander Clark on international duty (Image: Getty Images)

It’s been an eventful couple of months for Zander Clark. He was handed his first Scotland cap against France in a friendly as a half-time substitute. A brilliant moment for the shot-stopper and acknowledgement of his place as part of the Scotland squad. It then began to go downhill. In the Viaplay Cup semi-final, he conceded three goals, including a penalty that he gave away. The Jambos lost that game 3-1 to Rangers. During the next international break, he was given another chance to prove himself in a Scotland jersey, with Scotland number one Angus Gunn injured. In a 3-3 draw against Norway, his display was less than satisfactory. Poor positioning and a weak hand for Norway’s second goal and getting caught in no man's land under a cross leaving an open goal for Mohamed Elyounoussi to head home. In this match for his club, he was prone to dropping the ball from easy deliveries and poor positioning. He is becoming a liability. Now with Gunn back fit and Craig Gordon coming back from injury, it is looking less likely that Clark will be on the plane to Germany.

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