Cyriel Dessers scores crucial goal as Rangers defeat Hearts 1-0, relieving pressure on Philippe Clement

Cyriel Dessers' early strike secured a crucial 1-0 victory for Rangers against Hearts, providing much-needed relief for manager Philippe Clement.

After a turbulent league campaign, Rangers knew they needed a win to save the Belgian's job and avoid being cut further adrift of Celtic and Aberdeen in the title race.

Dessers turned James Tavernier's cross into the net to give Rangers an early lead and they had chances to move further ahead of the struggling Jambos.

But it was Hearts who looked the more threatening after the break with Kenneth Vargas smashing the ball off the post and Beni Baningime curling a shot just wide.

Rangers, who were buoyed by their League Cup semi-final win and Europa League draw in midweek, held on to go into the international break nine points off the summit, while Hearts remain ninth, just one point from the foot of the table.

Hearts try to rattle unconvincing Rangers

Hearts have not won in Govan in over a decade, and after conceding early it would have been easy for them to crumble, but they frustrated Rangers and there were some nervy moments.

After a perfectly-observed minute's silence to commemorate Remembrance Sunday, Dessers gave the home side an early lead.

A flowing move involving Nico Raskin, Jefte and Nedim Bajrami ended with the ball speeding across the visiting area and skipper Tavernier, back in the side after being dropped in Athens, drove towards goal with Dessers helping the ball over the line from close range.

The Nigeria striker then had two efforts which were less successful, a blocked drive and a chip which went wide.

Hearts, with Daniel Oyegoke, Kye Rowles, Cammy Devlin and Vargas back in the side, began to play but Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande drove wide from the edge of the box on the half-hour mark before Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon beat away a powerful drive from Vaclav Cerny after Connor Barron had sent him clear on a counter-attack.

However, the Gorgie outfit should have levelled in the 35th minute when Gers defender John Souttar's short back-pass to Butland was picked by Vargas, but the Gers 'keeper used his leg to clear the ball.

Vargas then cracked a post with a shot in the first minute of the second half after the Rangers defence was split wide open by skipper Lawrence Shankland's pass and only had Butland to beat.

Rangers had lost tempo and drive, and progress up the pitch was often laboured, although Tavernier had two goal-bound drives blocked by Hearts defenders.

In the 65th minute, Clement replaced his captain with Neraysho Kasanwirjo and there were boos when popular central midfielder Barron was taken off for Dujon Sterling.

For Hearts, Yan Dhanda and Baningime took over from Alan Forrest and Malachi Boateng, and within minutes Baningime sent a curling shot just past Butland's right-hand post.

Rangers at last broke with purpose in the 77th minute and Gordon saved Bajrami's drive after he played a wall pass with Cerny.

However, there still slack passes and indecision although in the 89th minute, Kasanwirjo hit the crossbar from a cut-back from Danilo, who had replaced Dessers.

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