Craig Levein said his players didn’t fully commit to the game plan of pressing Rangers high up the park, and the result was there for all to see.
First half goals from Jermain Defoe and Ryan Jack had the visitors in control at Tynecastle before Nikola Katic put the game beyond Hearts ’ reach shortly after half-time.
Steven MacLean’s goal proved nothing more than a late consolation.
Levein felt his team were “too safe” and that the instruction to press Rangers wasn’t adhered to in the manner he wanted.
“As a team we set out to press Rangers high up the field – but we didn't get it right,” he said.
“Again it obviously doesn't help that we shot ourselves in the foot by giving Rangers two really silly goals but the pressing was nowhere near good enough to put pressure on the ball high up the field.
Hearts player ratings from 3-1 home defeat to Rangers
“I'm not sure if the uncertainty was what caused the two boys to get caught on the ball. But it didn't work and we gave Rangers two goals, so…
“We've had chances again today and didn't take them. It's the same pattern that we've had in previous matches, which is frustrating.
“Pressing in the way we tried means you go all in. There's no worrying about what's behind you. You just need to go and we were too safe in what we did.
“We didn't commit completely too it and the result is what you saw.”
The home fans were unsurprisingly angry at another home defeat, and Levein didn’t blame them, explaining that it’s their duty to let the players know when they aren’t doing well enough.
“I was well unhappy as half-time approached as well,” he said. “It was a hell of a frustrating half. The fans are the same as me - frustrated when we don’t play well. I’ve no issue with the fans letting us know when we are not playing well. I think that is part of their duty. I’m just as unhappy as those guys.
“We need to do better to make the fans happy, that’s the priority, and next week is a real chance to do that.”
For more Hearts content, like our Hearts Live Facebook page
