In a dramatic and unfortunate turn of events, Hearts defender Craig McCart became the center of attention for all the wrong reasons, scoring two own goals in a 4-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in a crucial Scottish Premiership clash. McCart’s misfortune handed Rangers three vital points in their pursuit of the title, while Hearts’ hopes of upsetting their rivals were dashed by a nightmare performance from the defender.
A Nightmare for McCart: Two Own Goals in First Half
The match was expected to be a tough test for both teams, but it quickly turned into a night to forget for McCart. Rangers, in scintillating form this season, dominated possession early on, but it was Hearts’ defense, led by McCart, that was put under pressure throughout.
McCart’s first own goal came in the 23rd minute when he tried to clear a dangerous cross from Antonio Colak. Under pressure, McCart’s clearance looped over Craig Gordon’s head and into the net, handing Rangers the lead. The 1-0 advantage proved to be just the start of McCart’s misfortune.
Just 12 minutes later, disaster struck again. This time, McCart tried to block a shot from Ryan Jack but inadvertently redirected the ball off his leg, sending it past Gordon once again. The second own goal doubled Rangers’ lead to 2-0, and Hearts fans were left in shock at the defensive calamities unfolding before their eyes.
Rangers’ Dominance: Morelos and Lundstram Add to the Lead
Despite McCart’s misfortunes, Rangers continued to press forward. In the 52nd minute, Alfredo Morelos extended Rangers’ lead to 3-0. A perfectly timed pass from James Tavernier found the Colombian striker, who finished coolly past Gordon, further cementing his place as one of the Scottish Premiership’s top scorers.
Hearts tried to rally, and in the 69th minute, Liam Boyce converted a penalty after Connor Goldson was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Boyce’s goal brought the score to 3-1, but Hearts’ hopes of a comeback were dashed just 10 minutes later when John Lundstram sealed the win for Rangers with a powerful strike from outside the box. His shot beat Gordon to make it 4-1, ensuring that Rangers took all three points.
McCart’s Apology and Hearts’ Response
After the match, McCart took to social media to express his regret for the own goals. “I take full responsibility for the mistakes I made tonight, and I’m deeply sorry to my teammates, the club, and the fans,” McCart wrote. “It was a tough night, but I will work hard to put this behind me and do better for Hearts moving forward.”
Despite the disappointment, Hearts’ manager Robbie Neilson offered support to the embattled defender. “It’s never easy to make mistakes like that,” Neilson said in his post-match interview. “But football is a team game, and Craig has been solid for us this season. We all need to keep working together to improve and bounce back.”
Rangers Maintain Pressure at the Top of the Scottish Premiership
With the win, Rangers kept pace with Celtic in their bid for the Scottish Premiership title. The performance was clinical, though the match was inevitably overshadowed by McCart’s errors. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side will look to build on this victory as they push towards the top of the table, knowing that every point is crucial in their race for the championship.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Hearts and Rangers?
For Hearts, the focus will be on bouncing back from this heavy defeat. While McCart’s own goals were a significant blow, the team must regroup and not let this loss define their season. With challenging fixtures ahead, especially in defense, Hearts will look to tighten up and show greater resilience moving forward.
As for Rangers, the win strengthens their position near the top of the table, and they will be eager to carry this momentum into their next set of matches. With Celtic in close pursuit, every victory counts, and Rangers will need to remain focused on their long-term goal of winning the title.
For Craig McCart, this game will be one he’ll want to forget quickly. But it’s clear that the defender’s character will be tested as he looks to redeem himself and prove to Hearts fans that he can bounce back from this unfortunate night.