Boyd rescues Rangers from spot of bother

Hearts 1 Rangers 2:Kris Boyd snatched a dramatic last-gasp victory for 10-man Rangers within seconds of being on the park as the Scottish champions staged an impressive comeback against Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The day started badly for Walter Smith’s men when Kevin Thomson — making his first start since suffering a serious knee injury nine months ago — was shown a straight red card before David Witteveen fired the Jambos into a half-time lead.

Lee McCulloch threw Rangers a lifeline when he equalised after the break before Boyd came off the bench to secure the win from the penalty spot in the final minute.

The match got off to an explosive start when Kenny Miller and Suso Santana clashed on the touchline and both players picked up a caution with just three minutes on the clock.

Rangers were dealt a major blow when they were reduced to 10 men with just 14 minutes gone when Thomson was shown a straight red card by referee Craig Thomson for a challenge on Ian Black.

Only the woodwork prevented Hearts from taking the lead when a lovely swerving effort from Santana smacked off Allan McGregor’s right post. But the Rangers goalkeeper was plucking the ball out of the back of the net with 31 minutes gone following a blunder.

Witteveen exchanged a one-two with Christian Nade before attempting to sidefoot home. McGregor should have held the effort but spilled the ball over the line to hand the home side the advantage.

Hearts could have doubled their lead shortly after the restart when Witteveen bore down on goal after racing on to a long ball but was denied his second of the day by a well-timed interception from Madjid Bougherra.

Rangers were level after 63 minutes. David Obua picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Miller and the foul proved costly for the home side.

Steven Smith, who had replaced John Fleck at half-time, took the free-kick and delivered into the packed goalmouth where McCulloch was waiting to send a glancing header past Janos Balogh in the Hearts goal.

With 88 minutes on the clock, Rangers threw Boyd into the action in place of Miller and he fired Rangers into the lead from the penalty spot a minute later.

Steven Naismith was tripped in the box by Ismael Bouzid and Boyd stepped up to convert from 12 yards to claim his first goal at Tynecastle in seven years and snatch all three points for Rangers.