Rangers make the trip to Hearts for the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season opener. Philippe Clement's side are looking to build on last season's second-placed finish.
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00:00One of the last three occasions these teams met on the opening day of a season. Hearts remained unbeaten.
00:12The Rangers did lose their opening game last season at Kilmarnock.
00:23There's been chances for both and openings for both but it remains goalless.
00:27Although far from soulless at Tyne Castle as Rangers prepare to get the second half going.
00:40Oscar Cortes okay to resume.
00:44Going down at the end of the first half.
00:51He can resume his contest with Gerald Taylor.
00:58Tavernier.
01:03Cortes.
01:06I just wonder how that battle developed, guys talking about it there in the studio.
01:10It's one thing as a winger that if your main asset is pace, it's your biggest worry is when the fullback can match you.
01:18Because then you have to mix your game up.
01:27The Rangers manager Philip Clement actually played here for Gordon Strachan's Coventry back in 1998 in the pre-season friendly.
01:35Hearts won 1-0, the only goal of the game scored by...
01:39I should know that.
01:41Was it a 30-yarder?
01:43I'm afraid not, I'm afraid not.
01:48I wish I'd have known that, I might have reminded them of it before now.
01:57Cortes.
01:58Cortes has finished, by the way.
02:00And it looks like his game is over as Dander runs on to this.
02:04Finn Davies just got there in the nick of time but Cortes is down now.
02:11That's, I mean, it's very sad for the boy because he's been out for so long.
02:17And he did look sharp today but he's come up against a foe that has been both aggressive, quick, taking him the other way.
02:24And whatever the collision was, whatever he's damaged, I thought he was holding his knee, maybe it's his ankle.
02:30But I don't think he'll take any more part in this game.
02:33So this is the initial challenge here.
02:35He does test him on the other side, he does test him on the other side.
02:38He does test him on the other side, he does test him on the other side.
02:42So this is the initial challenge here.
02:44He does test him on the outside but Taylor's big, he's strong, he's across him.
02:48I'm just watching there.
02:51I mean, he's just falling, I'm just trying to think, is he, is he just...
02:55Oh, he's twisted his ankle, his left ankle.
02:59But he's holding his right knee, funny enough, so I'm not quite sure what's going to cause the boy to go up it.
03:05Regardless, it's really, really unlucky for him.
03:08Well, Rabih Matondo will be coming on.
03:11Scored a few goals towards the end of last season.
03:14Four in his final seven Premiership matches, including those stunners against Ibs and Celtic.
03:20But this is a real blow, not only for Oscar Cortes, but for Rangers as well.
03:24He only managed seven appearances last season before injury struck.
03:30And we will await news of this latest setback.
03:38You can see there, he's destroyed the boy.
03:41I mean, he's horrible, it's the first game of the season and he's gone off injured.
03:46Real, real shame.
03:48And he looks like he has so much to offer as well, but it's game over for Oscar Cortes.
03:55And game starting for Rabih Matondo.
03:58Rabih Matondo coming on as another player with speed and pace.
04:08I wonder how that batter's going to work out now.
04:19He did receive lengthy treatment at the end of the first half, Oscar Cortes.
04:25Sent him back out for the second, but it's not worked out.
04:32Tavernier stopping Mackay.
04:38Tom Lawrence, shadowed by Rolls.
04:43A really good cover from Kairos, you know, he's all over him.
04:47Penrice has gone the overlap, so that channel was open, but the centre-back just gets out there and makes sure
04:53that the danger is marked up, forces Tom Lawrence backwards, allows the full-back to get back in.
05:00Matondo.
05:04Didn't take him long to try his luck.
05:08Well, it's speculative, to say the least.
05:15It's a huge disappointment for the manager, I have to say, Ian, because I do believe that he felt that Cortes was going to be
05:21a real important player for him this season.
05:24It's something that he needs to now think about.
05:27I don't know how serious, of course, the injury is, but I think he would have been first pick for Philippe Gamont.
05:32Cherny coming into the shake-up as well.
05:40Long walk around the side of the pitch for Oscar Cortes.
05:45Desses.
05:48Scott Wright, Desses.
05:52Wright again, away by Devlin, it's going to come nicely here for Yilmaz,
05:57Obeid on his right foot and it's diverted for a corner.
06:00Yeah, well, I wasn't as confident on his right foot as I would be when it falls to his left,
06:04but what he's trying to do here is just totally concentrate and making sure it gets good connection and it's going to be on target.
06:10Big deflection off of Kairos, Desses just sniffing in behind for any little breakdowns for him.
06:21Hearts only conceded from a corner once in the Scottish Premiership last season.
06:32Apologies to Hearts, I've just cursed them here.
06:36Tavernier whips that corner in and Shankland is the man who comes off.
06:41Yeah, I think, looking at Tavernier's body language, I think he's expecting someone to get across the front post.
06:47Shankland does a really good job there.
06:49Going zonal marking.
06:58It's Tavernier to have another go, right into the mix there.
07:03What a touch from Shankland again here.
07:05I mean, this is close.
07:07Tavernier without question is trying to score, making sure the contact's good.
07:12That's a brilliant header.
07:13That could have very easily ended up in Hearts' net.
07:20That wouldn't be a goal without Lawrence Shankland, would it?
07:23For a change.
07:26Third time lucky maybe, in this sequence of corners.
07:33Tavernier right into the same area and it's the same outcome as Shankland meets it once more.
07:39Personal battle between those two.
07:43Doing his job, the captain of Hearts.
07:46Tom Lawrence, saw off Dander.
07:49Inviting from Lawrence!
07:51Oh my goodness.
07:52This is so very close to opening the scoring.
07:56How is that not going to end?
07:57What a ball from Tom Lawrence.
08:05It won't get much closer, Cyril Dessus, than that.
08:08Here is Vargas, made it.
08:09Surely beat Davies to it.
08:16Diamande, unaware of Devlin's presence.
08:21Cyril Dessus, almost scoring.
08:24Hearts, lucky to score themselves.
08:27I tell you, what a good header this is from Cyril Dessus.
08:33I think it hits the bar and the post, you know.
08:36You can't believe he's not found the net.
08:39We'll have a look at that in a moment because a long throw is coming.
08:42Rangers away from Gerald Taylor.
08:46What a ball.
09:04Shankland.
09:06It's Mackay!
09:10Rangers living dangerously.
09:12Cammied Devlin.
09:14Tottenham came for it, but Suter took charge.
09:17And Mick Walsh waves away and he hearts appeals that.
09:20It doesn't look like a penalty to me.
09:22I think Cammied Devlin knows exactly what he's trying to do there.
09:24He's got himself making sure between the ball and the man.
09:29Byrolls has taken out Tom Lawrence here.
09:33And that will be a yellow card.
09:35Yeah, there's all sorts going on here.
09:36Mick Walsh is having to deal with it.
09:38I think he's probably getting something in his ear about the penalty check with Cammied Devlin.
09:42But just here, Tom Lawrence right up in the game.
09:45Byrolls takes him out.
09:47And this is a shout here for the penalty.
09:48Nah, not for me.
09:50It's just a bump there.
09:51Devlin trying to be clever, but watch this header.
09:54Bang, off close by Rand Post.
09:56He makes a real solid connection as well.
09:58Lovely little chop from Tom Lawrence in the wide air and that's a super delivery.
10:02Is there an actual touch on a defender?
10:04I tell you what, I'd love to see that again, but Byrolls might just get the merest of touches.
10:09Suddenly, look that way.
10:12Matondo trying to burrow his way through.
10:18Byrolls points Cammied Devlin in the book.
10:21Gerald Taylor surging forward.
10:29Shanklin for Grant.
10:31Danda.
10:34Now Taylor.
10:36Barron committed himself.
10:39Yilmaz moved in front of Taylor and Devon to secure a goal kick.
10:45Yilmaz defending ever so well against Taylor there.
10:48Just got a bit hesitant, the heart's rolled back a bit.
10:50I tell you, this looks in every inch of the way.
10:54But watch Kai Rolls, just there.
10:57It just comes off his head and deflects it onto the underside of the crossbar, then the post.
11:02But for that touch and defending, I think Rangers will be 1-0 up.
11:06Super defending.
11:22Barron.
11:24Tavardière.
11:27Returned by Wright.
11:33Another Barron.
11:36Tavardière.
11:39Yilmaz turned it away from Matondo.
11:43A really good composure as well from George Grant.
11:47This has been an area where hearts have looked really effective down these channels.
11:51Yilmaz is way out of position.
11:54And Vargas has to carry on after that tangle with Davis.
11:59Danda!
12:03Yeah, well, Vargas wants a free kick.
12:05And listen, there's definitely a tangle of legs.
12:07But he's up quick.
12:09He's been so good going beyond.
12:11He's given Davis hands through to all types of problems.
12:13I don't actually think it's a foul there.
12:15He's up quick.
12:16And when he rolls it back to Danda, is it Yilmaz?
12:18No, it's Davis.
12:20We've seen some really good defending today.
12:23Long throw incoming from Taylor.
12:29Charles Souter.
12:30Monturi got to it.
12:36George Grant.
12:43Danda.
12:46Connor Barron steps in now.
12:49Connor Barron steps in now.
12:51Tom Lawrence.
12:55He needed to get that spot on him because he's already on a yellow card.
12:58Snap it at the heels.
13:01Taylor.
13:02Sees off Matondo.
13:04Danda.
13:06Clips it in.
13:07But Jack Buttman is having that.
13:10He's trying to clip it to the back post for Lawrence Shankland.
13:13Touch and go whether he was onside or not.
13:15Davis.
13:17John Souter might have been playing him on.
13:20Matondo.
13:21Lawrence.
13:26Tom Lawrence left it for Diamande.
13:30Matondo.
13:31Matondo.
13:41It looks like Rangers might be about to bring on Basler.
13:45But they have a free kick first.
13:50Our hearts are really unhappy about this.
13:52I'm not sure how much contact you can see there.
13:55There is enough.
13:56He's pulled the jersey of Yilmaz.
13:58And although he maybe thinks he's just trying to wrestle back.
14:01It is a free kick and a very good position for James Tavernier.
14:09Taylor down in the box.
14:12Feeling the effects of it all.
14:15He's been up and down this pitch heading towards 60 minutes.
14:18I know he's had a half-time break but he has got up and down the pitch.
14:22Might have taken a knock in the stomach.
14:25Balogun is also coming on along with Václav Černý.
14:30The Czech Republic winner who is on loan from Wolfsburg.
14:40A double change happening after this.
14:42Yilmaz has taken this.
14:43I thought James Tavernier was his favourite.
14:45But he's looking for people to go and attack that penalty spot.
14:48You can just see the information being passed from the captain of Rangers.
14:52John Suter in there ready to make his move along with others.
14:55Yilmaz in towards Suter.
14:57Flicked away by Frankie Kent.
14:59A really good head up.
15:00You're right.
15:01John Suter was just right behind the action there.
15:05Another free kick now as Mackay makes contact with Lawrence.
15:16Changes are happening now.
15:19Ben Davies is being replaced by Leon Balogun.
15:23Who's signed on for another year at Rangers.
15:25Good guy to have around the club.
15:29It's interesting how Davies is going off.
15:31I wonder whether he maybe had a problem.
15:33It might be just that channel run of Vargas.
15:35And the extra pace you get with Balogun.
15:37Just to protect those areas.
15:40Scott Wright also being replaced by Václav Černý.
15:44Václav Černý who once scored a Europa League winner for Ajax at Celtic Park.
15:54He's got a chance to show the Rangers fans what he is about.
16:02Tavernier is taking this one.
16:04Away by Devlin.
16:05Lawrence!
16:06And Xander Clark has to deal with that.
16:09Tom Lawrence can certainly hit them.
16:12What a good start that is.
16:13This is right into the post.
16:15Just a beautiful technique from Tom Lawrence.
16:17Lovely take on the volley.
16:19Just to set himself there.
16:20Takes it on the full.
16:22Catches it with the laces.
16:23I tell you that's fine in the top corner.
16:26What a good start from Clark.
16:28A couple of brilliant saves today from Xander Clark.
16:33That's right into the mix again.
16:34Diamande looked like he should have connected.
16:37He's missed it completely and he knows it.
16:39What a chance.
16:41He just walked in there.
16:42Look at him.
16:43Standing just outside the six yard box.
16:45Walks in between Frank again and George Grant.
16:48But completely misses it.
16:50Comes off his shoulder.
16:52That's a big chance.
16:57He did score in that 5-0 drubbing of Hart at Ibrox last season.
17:02And he should have scored again there against Mohamed Diamande.
17:07Stephen Leesmith is going to make a change himself too.
17:14Blair Spittle about to come on for this man, we think.
17:17Diamande.
17:20Diamande.
17:21What a wonderful cross.
17:27Misses.
17:29Loses out to Rolls.
17:37I guess he needs help.
17:44It's over near for Barron.
17:45A little bit congested there.
17:49Very aggressive pressure.
17:51Conor Barron has not had an easy game today.
17:54And it's not the pressure coming from in front of him.
17:56It's from Lawrence Shankland who's been sitting in the 10 position.
17:58He's always in and around him when he takes possession of the football.
18:02I think he just maybe catches him almost and twists his knee.
18:04That's it, Conor Barron.
18:10Lovely little bit of audacious skill there from Dander.
18:13I'd have been off on a stretcher had I tried that.
18:22The search for a goal goes on but it's not for the want of trying.
18:30Valigan.
18:32And he did get to it.
18:33Very bad heel, Maz.
18:36It looked like it was just out of his reach.
18:42Valigan.
18:44Defending off Shankland but gives Jim Hart a throw.
18:49Just getting the pressure from Shankland.
18:52He's pumping him.
18:53He does that ever so well.
18:58Blair Spittle who was actually in Rangers Academy.
19:01Quite a while ago now.
19:02For a couple of years before he moved to Queen's Park.
19:06Where of course he played with Lawrence Shankland.
19:09Blair had probably the best season of his career.
19:12Last season at Motherwell.
19:1313 goals.
19:15Ahead of assists.
19:18What a season he had.
19:25Diamande Deses.
19:27Now for Tavernier.
19:29Churning.
19:32Diamande.
19:34What's about.
19:41Flash by Nick Walls to Diamande.
19:43He's having a wry smile.
19:48He likes to get in the mix doesn't he, the wee man?
19:52All over the pitch.
19:54You can see here working back.
19:56I mean is that worth a yellow card?
19:57Not for me.
19:58But nonetheless he received one.
20:21Yeah I tell you there's more to come from this man.
20:23And if he gets him and he's.
20:26Replacement here in the same pitch.
20:28They've got so much creativity.
20:29We're talking about Blair.
20:31Spittle last season.
20:32I thought he was absolutely outstanding.
20:33In fact.
20:34He'd been right up there and in contention for my players.
20:36Of the year.
20:38So effective.
20:40In particular for Theo Bair.
20:41What he did to him.
20:42Seized passes.
20:43Forward areas of the pitch.
20:45He'll be a big player for us this season.
20:46O'Reilly provided more assists in the premiership last season.
20:48Than Spittle.
20:53I'll tell you that.
20:55The one back by Matondo.
20:56And Des has.
20:58Had a bit of space.
20:59Connected to go back to.
21:00Diamande.
21:01No foul.
21:03And.
21:04Matondo.
21:05And.
21:06Matondo.
21:07And.
21:08Matondo.
21:09And.
21:10Matondo.
21:11And.
21:12Matondo.
21:13And.
21:14Matondo.
21:15And.
21:16Matondo.
21:17And.
21:18Matondo.
21:19And.
21:20Spittle.
21:21Shanklin.
21:22Tyler.
21:23Well done.
21:24Taken by Baron.
21:25Held up by Frankie Kent.
21:26Rolls.
21:27Up towards Vargas.
21:28Away by Souter.
21:29Up towards Schurter.
21:30And.
21:31And.
21:32And.
21:33And.
21:34And.
21:35And.
21:36And.
21:37And.
21:38And.
21:39And.
21:40And.
21:41And.
21:42And.
21:43And.
22:14Tiamande, Soutar, Chavanier, Cherny hugging that touchline.
22:29Tiamande
22:32switching it to Ridvan Yilmaz, comes off Taylor.
22:36Matondo, it's broken kindly for Barragán, Lawrence, Kermit Devlin in and about everyone as usual, now Soutar fends off Vargas.
22:55Yeah well done John Soutar, really really good, Connor Barron was round on the cover anyway but
23:00lovely little touch from Vargas but John Soutar showing power pace, had to get it right.
23:06Kind of Vargas is down and a signal to the bench that he won't be able to continue but
23:15Rangers have every right to continue with this move, Soutar, Chavanier, brilliant cross,
23:29just stretching to get there.
23:37Cherny, quick feet from him, Chavanier, away by Kent.
23:51Vargas is back on his feet. I think it's cramp rather than a real problem, he's done an awful
23:58lot of channel running, stretching Rangers' back line today.
24:07Lawrence, challenge from Grant, really really good from from George Grant, he had to make it
24:14Matondo and Dejesus.
24:18Mackay, it's Shankland, taking the long way round and Portland makes the save and grabs it.
24:27Well everyone in that stadium had held their breath there because there's normally one outcome
24:32when Lawrence Shankland's getting a little bit of space in the 18 yard box, he's trying to
24:36manufacture just a good enough angle, just a bit of light of goal just to get a shot off here.
24:43Good from Barry Mackay, he just takes it there, he's just looking for the light,
24:47the angle and he almost sneaks it under Jack Butlin's legs.
24:51Again hitting target low, I tell you that is a fraction of an inch from finding
24:57a clean gap through the legs of the goalkeeper, really good stop.
25:01George Grant has an issue now which is requiring treatment.
25:14I think you've seen one or two players going down intensity to this game, it's the first game of the
25:19season, you can play all the warm-ups you want, all the bounce games leading into the season,
25:24when it becomes real, that's when you really start to feel that your condition
25:29isn't quite where it should be for the first games.
25:40Marcus did make an immediate signal that he couldn't carry on but
25:43it seems okay now.
25:48Yeah, I tell you, Hearts won't want to see him go off because he's been very good today.
25:56George Grant's okay as well.
26:00Into the last 20 minutes, Rangers were actually the last team to
26:04stop Hearts scoring at Tyne Castle, and that 1-0 win here last December.
26:13Yeah, well, see there, Rangers, similar to the first half, boss in possession,
26:18they've got closer as well to Hearts goal, so it's been a lot more effective from Rangers,
26:22pretty even match.
26:25He's got a great watch for a nil-nil so far.
26:29Matondo, Raby Matondo looking to make it happen, he was a pullback at that point.
26:37I think he just overcooked it, really good initial couple of...
26:43changes of gear, but he needs to put it in the box, he had four or five white
26:45jerseys flooding into the 18-yard box there.
26:49Here's Václav Czerny.
26:54Tavernier.
27:01Diamande trying to charge his way through.
27:06That might be a free kick and Diamande catching
27:09Devlin, he's already on a yellow card.
27:11Yeah, he just catches him late.
27:13Kami Devlin showed real good composure there, he had a little look up thinking,
27:16right, can I release the pressure?
27:19But he knows it's going to come straight back, he's buying time,
27:22takes a hit, takes his thing out of the game.
27:39Alexander Clarke has made some top quality saves in this game,
27:44he steers that one towards Spittle.
27:50Sent away by Balogun.
27:57Taylor has the option to go long,
28:02this looks like it might be shorter.
28:10Devlin.
28:16Grant.
28:18Looking for Blair Spittle, just out of his reach.
28:22I'll tell you what.
28:23Mix up there, Spittle finds his route to goal blocked.
28:28What a miss that is.
28:34He's just fortunate to escape that.
28:36Yeah, very fortunate.
28:38Lawrence Shanklin is just not close enough to take advantage of it,
28:43but it's when it skids in that there's a Balogun,
28:46I think he must get a shout from the goalkeeper,
28:48but he decides to get a little touch on it and it totally deflects it off of Jack Butwin.
28:56Barron.
28:58Matondo.
29:01Broken out by Taylor.
29:04Is there a bump before the touch?
29:07I think he gets a touch on the ball, but does he just catch Matondo?
29:14Cherny.
29:19Diomande looking to get there ahead of Grant.
29:23Taken down nicely by Mackay, but wrestled back by Tavernier.
29:29Desha is trying to sneak in.
29:31Yeah, a really good touch from Frankie Kent.
29:34This is the one that could have been a real mess for the Rangers goalkeeper.
29:45It's comfortable for him, but Balogun's touch just hit someone in the chest.
29:49When it comes back, I tell you that's a great block on the deck.
29:51I'm not quite sure who that is, is it Connor Barron maybe?
29:54I'm not quite sure who that is.
29:57Yeah.
30:03Barron in the right place at the right time after that.
30:06He's a good starting debut in the league for Rangers.
30:10He's got loads of energy, the boy, because it's not been an easy game today for him.
30:17Well, he's taken Ryan Jack's number eight shirt and he's
30:22already looking like a Rangers player.
30:33Taylor asked to go back a bit.
30:45Hearts are going to bring on Alan Forrest shortly.
30:50Kaipari Mackay.
30:51Yeah, I think the big boys are making their way up now.
31:06They didn't just a few moments ago where we saw in the first half anytime there was a throw-in from
31:1030 yards out, Kent and Rawls made their way into the box, but here they come.
31:14Kent and Rawls are in there. Shanklin waiting.
31:23Yeah, he's unmarked out back, Shanklin.
31:26Here it comes from Taylor, Rawls looking to flick it on, away by Suter and now Mackay.
31:35Tossed off.
31:37Now again, it's going to spin away for a Hearts corner.
31:40Yeah, good chance for Hearts now.
31:44Blair Spittle, normally very good from set pieces, but it's Barry Mackay,
31:48it looks like he's going to take this, I wonder if he'll take it short.
31:52Try and work something out here.
31:58If he wants it, Spittle, we've got a 2v1.
32:00Former Rangers man Barry Mackay standing over this.
32:15Mackay's corner, down by Kent, and it's somehow evaded the goal again as Tavernier make contact.
32:22Well, I tell you, James Tavernier almost puts this into the net,
32:26it's a good header down, I think it might have been going past.
32:31But Tavernier can't take any chances.
32:38Mackay again, asking the question, is Shanklin?
32:44And grabbed by Butler.
32:55Yeah, I think Nick Walsh is giving a free kick on the goalkeeper here, but
32:58James Tavernier, he just diverts this, I mean he doesn't know an awful lot about that,
33:05that's his left foot, that could have gone anywhere.
33:09Barry Mackay makes way, Alan Forrest is coming on, and the subs that Hearts
33:17have available to them show how much stronger their squad is this season.
33:22100% right, I did feel that the business that they did in the summer was very, very good,
33:25very effective, and if you want to improve in the third place of last year, then of course
33:33you need to build the squad, you need to make it more competitive, and he's certainly done that.
33:55I don't think this is a foul, I think this guy here is really shrewd, and he's clever,
34:10and if he dips his head in and holds his face he might just get a free kick.
34:14Listen, his foot's high, but I think he's bought that one, Hearts captain, that's why he's smiling.
34:25Yeah, Spittle around now to take set pieces.
34:40Hearts probing again, Spittle in towards Frankie Kent, Barragan send that away, but another corner.
34:49Brilliant header from Barragan, it's a really, really good ball from Spittle,
34:53which you would expect, just bending in towards that penalty box, Frankie Kent
34:57actually just got a little nudge on that, but good from Leon Barragan.
35:02Spittle on the corner now.
35:08Several forming a disorderly queue, Spittle in, Barragan got to that again,
35:14deft control from Shanklin.
35:21Gone for the curler, it comes off Barragan for another corner for Hearts.
35:25So strong isn't he, Loris Shanklin, again it's Barragan with a crucial block,
35:30he looks as if he's falling over, he's going to lose balance, but he's got so much strength in
35:33those legs, and he's just trying to shape that, it would have been comfortable I think for Jack
35:37Butland, they keep the pressure up Hearts. Hearts fans are liking what they are seeing,
35:46another corner from Blair Spittle, Kent beaten to it, Barragan so useful
35:52in those recent situations for Rangers.
35:57Forrest whipped his cross in brilliantly, his rolls, straight back in from him, Shanklin trying
36:07to get on the end of it, but Matondo is on for a break, Robbie Matondo. He needs to get his head
36:18up again, and just can't compose himself, get his foot in the ball, he's got Cherney wide open.
36:24End to end now, into the last 10 minutes, Matondo, Diamande.
36:29It's a Hearts throw.
36:36So
36:53Kieran Dow was about to join us,
36:57another one who's had his injury issues at Rangers, he's going to replace Conor Barron.
37:06Slammed by Butland, I believe by Kent,
37:13Shanklin, Deblin. I think the wee man, Camardello has been brilliant today,
37:21particularly he's on a yellow card, so he needs to curb his game.
37:25Shanklin for Spittle, but Suter looks in charge of this,
37:28oh, he's given Butland a bit of work to do, but Vargas won't get there. He looks calm,
37:36big Jack Butland, that wasn't a great back pass from John Suter, got there early.
37:44Once again that hasn't been missing much, but is missing a goal.
37:48Well, Kieran Dow will come on,
38:02and he will replace Conor Barron, who I think the Rangers fans,
38:05well, probably already have taken to. Yeah, I'm not sure if...
38:17Will there be a winner at Tyne Castle today,
38:26on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership?
38:30There is Dow, Matondo, Dow again, no doubt he's a tidy player,
38:47but another one who just needs to steer clear of injuries.
38:51Who fancies this the most with time running out?
38:59Yeah, listen, it's... Can you get a good nil-nil? I think it's been a reasonably
39:05entertaining match, but you just got a feeling Crocs that there's a goal in this.
39:12They're actually going to make a triple change in a moment.
39:28Daniel Oyegoke, Yotaro Oda, Malakai Boateng, waiting in the wings,
39:34but a free kick for Blaise Vettel to take first.
39:45No, the subs are going to happen first, and Gerald Taylor is another who gets a standing
39:50evasion as he takes his leave. He's been really good, really, really good. I think the Hearts
39:57fans will enjoy watching him this season. Triple change, Grant and Vargas also making way.
40:09Malakai Boateng was on loan at Dundee last season, and Daniel Oyegoke,
40:15he was in Arsenal's academy and Brentford's before also going on loan last season too.
40:21Bradford, Yotaro Oda, the Japanese striker has been here a while now.
40:27Vargas has just realised that this game is over.
40:39Hearts fans have certainly enjoyed their team's performance, but
40:42what they would give for that goal. They'll be hoping it's not over.
40:46Boateng back in Scotland where he paid on loan for Dundee and Queen's Park.
41:03Here it comes then, slightly delayed, what will be the outcome? Spittle in.
41:10Sent away by Desses.
41:11Spittle, I think it's been given to Rangers.
41:19Yablok.
41:22Onyuma's block.
41:29Soutar.
41:31Tavernier.
41:39Dowell.
41:41Newmouse looked like it went out, but the assistant referee didn't think so.
41:50Diamande.
41:55Tense times at Tyne Castle in the quest for what will surely be a winner.
42:01Dowell over towards Tavernier, away by Penrice.
42:04Cherny.
42:09Tavernier.
42:11Matondo.
42:14It's cleared away by Kyroles.
42:16Brilliantly as well, he just collapsed there.
42:19He knocks it straight to Desses. Had to get very good contact, Kyroles.
42:28You can feel the tension around this arena now.
42:35One goal to win it surely.
42:38But time running out, Dowell, Yilmaz.
42:44It's a decent delivery, it's away by Penrice.
42:49Soutar aware of Spittle.
43:04Some beaten in 11 matches here since the Rangers beat them back in December.
43:10But Rangers pushing for a winner just now.
43:15One nil was enough back then.
43:17Miyagoke's clearance.
43:20Shankland.
43:22Dowell for Tavernier.
43:25Will there be a chance here for Rangers?
43:28Tavernier with the cross, turned away by Kent.
43:33They've done that so well today with balls into the box, both
43:35Roles and Kent making sure they get contact, first contact on the crosses.
43:46Matondo, Tavernier, Cherny up against Penrice.
43:54Cherny in towards Desses.
43:59Desses keeps it alive.
44:00Soutar, likewise.
44:05Yilmaz, this is excellent from Ridvan Yilmaz.
44:10It's away by Penrice.
44:13Brilliant defending, super positioning as well from the full-back.
44:18Up the other end we go, but not for long, Robbie Matondo guarding there.
44:24Matondo did well there, Kamedevlin just hasn't got the juice in the legs anymore.
44:30So
44:52to be confirmed, but it looks like it might be five extra minutes.
44:57Just looking for that little bit of extra spark.
45:02Dowell, Soutar.
45:08Forrest moved in on Tavernier, but a Rangers throw.
45:12The final seconds of the 90, still more to come.
45:17Forrest moved in on Tavernier, but a Rangers throw.
45:21The final seconds of the 90, still more to come.
45:27Kieran Dowell, Tavernier.
45:37Cherny collects this.
45:43And there will be five more minutes.
45:46Well, talk about good defender today.
45:57There's been plenty on show, particularly in the maroon jerseys of hearts.
46:01That's a great knock back from Matondo, and he got good contact.
46:06Off the shin, stroke knee, but he had to clear the danger.
46:09And both him and his central partner have been excellent today.
46:13Really, really good.
46:16Oh, here's Oda, and he's got Shanklin nearby.
46:31Oda, Rangers trying to scramble this away.
46:35Forrest, it's blocked by Ballaghan.
46:41Yeah, I don't think he gets it clean, does he, Forrest?
46:43Penrice, Shanklin helps it on, but it's wide.
46:55Still no goal.
46:58I thought there's been some nearly, but not quite moments.
47:00The opening weekend continues with the Dundee Derby back in town from 12.30.
47:05We start tomorrow, and then the champions Celtic take on Kilmarnock after that.
47:11And on Monday night, in a bumper opening weekend of live games,
47:14it's St. Johnston against Jimmy Tillings Aberdeen.
47:25Well, it's a game that hasn't really been worthy of a nil-nil scoreline.
47:30Will it change in the final few minutes?
47:35Yeah, it's been a good game.
47:37I've really enjoyed it.
47:38I think it would grace the occasion today if we could get a goal.
47:45Three minutes left of the action.
47:49But who for?
47:50Oh, Yagouke's throw.
47:56Diamande for Lawrence.
47:58Kami Devlin intervenes once again.
48:01Oh, what a pass that is.
48:03Oda for Spittle.
48:06Shankland.
48:07He couldn't, could he?
48:09Not with Mohamed Diamande around.
48:13Now Lawrence and Cherny's the ball here.
48:15That's lad Cherny.
48:19And they've got to force his way through.
48:21Yeah, he's just trying to find a gap there, Cherny.
48:25Savaneh got it back, gives it away.
48:28There's a tiredness I'm talking about, look,
48:30it's starting to really creep into these players.
48:33Quite a few of them absolutely drained now on the opening day.
48:37Here's Tavernier, though.
48:40Away by Bartek.
48:45That's a ball you're looking for, good sweep in from Jack Butland.
48:53A couple of minutes remain, nil-nil.
48:56But will it end that way?
49:03Diamande.
49:07Knocked on by Dowell, Desas.
49:11Cherny.
49:12Fouling Penrice.
49:17Solid game to date, James Penrice as well in that left-back position.
49:22Big platform for him coming from Livingston.
49:26Alex Cochrane was very, very good at left-back.
49:29But Penrice has been good to date.
49:31He's got a few things to think about, Iain, first game of the season.
49:39Well, it's been a non-stop flurry of activity this game.
49:43Will there be a last chance for Hearts here in the final minute to win it?
50:00Tondo, will there be a chance for Rangers yet?
50:07Diamande's getting the free kick there off Oyegoke in a yellow card.
50:13It didn't look an awful lot in that for me.
50:17Diamande, just a nice little change of direction here inside.
50:20I think he slips, I think he slips.
50:23Well, Hearts had their chance a moment ago.
50:26Rangers have their chance now, with seconds remaining.
50:29But Jack Putland ready to launch this.
50:31High line from Hearts at the moment.
50:37Putland sends it towards Soutar.
50:40It drops for Forrest.
50:45And that might be that.
50:47It is that.
50:48It's a goalless draw for starters.
50:50In the Scottish Premiership this season, but that doesn't really tell the story.
50:55An engaging and often engrossing watch between these two.
51:00Both sides have their opportunities.
51:02Xander Clarke made a couple of top saves.
51:08Cyril Desos had a couple of moments that he might have made more of for Rangers and Iain Danda.
51:14Hit the crossbar as well.
51:16But it just wasn't to be in terms of goals.
51:18Although these two sides still had plenty to offer in game one in the Premiership this season.
51:20But it ends at Tyne Castle.
51:22Hearts nil, Rangers nil.