Even by the epic standards of soap opera that has defined Rangers in recent years, this has proven quite the seven-day spell. Whereas a week ago they were preparing for a League Cup semi-final, events surrounding that Hampden Park defeat and subsequently madcap draw with Kilmarnock were sufficient to trigger a managerial departure. Pedro Caixinha’s exit meant Kenny Miller’s return, with the strange circumstances surrounding the ostracising of the striker undoubtedly a component in Caixinha’s downfall. Miller, one of Scottish football’s least controversial, was bizarrely cast as a pantomime villain.
We should have known what happened next. Miller, who had been in poor form before his clash with Caixinha, was not only restored to the team but assumed the role of captain. Were Caixinha still in charge, Miller would not have been allowed a seat in the Murrayfield stands let alone be in position to trigger a rousing on-field recovery.
Miller scored two goals and created another as Hearts were swatted aside, with the 14,000-strong visiting contingent chanting the 37-year-old’s name at full-time. Everything in the Rangers garden was rosy again, even if lessons from the past suggest there will be bumps in the road before too long.
The man who presided over this win, Graeme Murty, insisted he did not arrive at Ibrox with aspirations of becoming the manager. There is little to suggest the Englishman will be given such an offer this time around, Derek McInnes is the clear favourite to succeed Caixinha, but there is an impressive enthusiasm and professionalism in Murty that it is to be hoped his employers do not take for granted. The players clearly respect him.
This, however, was Miller’s day. “I just tried to stay as professional as I could,” said the forward, who missed Caixinha’s last four games. “I was staying strong and enjoyed coming into work every single day. That never changed. It was just disappointing not to get a game at the end of the week.
“I always had the belief that I would be back in a Rangers jersey so I’m delighted with the result. It’s good to get three points off the back of a couple of disappointing results.”
It must be said that Rangers found favourable opposition, in more ways than one, here. The over-running of Tynecastle’s new main stand project has been problematic for Hearts, including in cost terms, meaning the granting of such a sizeable chunk of tickets to Rangers made commercial sense. In football terms, the policy looked a poor decision by virtue of the further neutralising of any home advantage they had.
Craig Levein, in the early throngs of second spell in charge, is also beset by personnel issues, primarily in midfield. Injuries and poor recruitment over a two-year spell have hampered Hearts to the extent that when Jamie Walker trudged off with injury after 52 minutes they did not have anything approaching an adequate replacement.
The hosts were not particularly impressive even before Walker departed but given the stark downturn in their play from the time of that substitution, Levein was probably correct to cite that as a key moment.
Another arrived after Kyle Lafferty had edged Hearts ahead with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards. Ross Callachan found himself with the Rangers keeper, Wes Foderingham, to beat but fluffed his lines.
By the interval, Miller had hauled Rangers level after collecting an Alfredo Morelos pass. The second half was to prove all about renewed Rangers vigour as Hearts wilted. Miller headed home a James Tavernier cross to send his team in front. Gloss was added by Josh Windass, with Miller this time providing the build-up work. Hearts never looked likely to provide a proper response against a makeshift opposition.
“The players needed to perform, needed to step forward,” Murty said. “The character they showed and the manner of their work was very good. They can use that as a boost but we set high standards at our club so they realise we’ll be looking for them to go again and raise that standard even higher.”
Rangers are likely to make their move for McInnes soon. A fixture laced with danger provided incentive for whoever is approached to succeed Caixinha. Rangers remain a stratosphere adrift of Celtic but, with Miller still an integral figure, retain a beating pulse.
