Hearts make comeback against Rangers to put historic title within reach

AberdeenCelticDundeeDundee UnitedHeartsHibernianLivingstonMotherwellRangersSt. MirrenScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsHearts make comeback against Rangers to put historic title within reachKingsley scored the equaliser after Hearts went 1-0 down to their title rivals in the first half Craig Foy - SNS Group/Getty Images Share articleHeart of Midlothian are potentially two wins away from winning their first Scottish title since 1960 and becoming the first non-Glasgow club to win the Scottish Premiership since 1985. Hearts came from behind to overcome title-rivals Rangers 2-1 at a euphoric Tynecastle in Edinburgh to virtually ensure Rangers are out of contention. The result leaves Hearts three points ahead of Celtic with three games remaining, but with a superior goal difference of five. Hearts travel to Celtic on the season’s final afternoon. If the league title is still in the balance then, Hearts’ goal difference could count. But in the most compelling Scottish race for decades, Celtic must first face Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday, then go to Motherwell next Wednesday. Hearts must also go to Motherwell on Saturday night, then host Falkirk next Wednesday. If Celtic draw one of their three games, two wins would be enough for Hearts. Trailing 1-0 at half-time to Dujon Sterling’s 23rd minute deflected goal, Hearts were second best to Rangers and in danger of losing their first home match of the season. But Hearts were a different side in the second half and equalised in the 54th minute through Stephen Kingsley, then took a deserved lead on 71 minutes via captain Lawrence Shankland. Rangers’ substitute Thelo Aasgaard hit the crossbar with a late header but Danny Rohl’s team ran out of ideas having dominated the first half and a dejected Rohl conceded afterwards: “Maybe we’re not good enough to win the title this season.” The outcome was as much about Hearts’ recovery from first-half anxiety as it was about Rangers’ drop-off. This was the third game in a row the team managed by Derek McInnes has come from behind to win and McInnes stressed it was a “change of mindset” at half-time that turned the game. “It wasn’t a change of system.” He did make a significant substitution, though, replacing Islam Chesnokov with Blair Spittal. McInnes said he was “annoyed” by what he saw in the opening 45 minutes but at the interval said he “reminded the players they got to the top of the league for a reason.” He did not discount Rangers from the title saying they are capable of winning their last three matches and said he knows the drama could carry all the way to the last day at Celtic: “I’m preparing for that, I’ve got to think that way.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms