Glasgow Rangers earned a hard fought victory over Hearts.
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha
Hearts’ 4-1 win over Rangers was one of the lowest points of the Ibrox side’s season, and effectively sealed manager Mark Warburton’s fate.
New boss Pedro Caixinha ensured there was no repeat of the defeat yesterday, with Rangers making the most of home advantage this time to earn a 2-1 win.
It was a bit of a slog despite Joe Garner’s early opener, and Hearts playing from the 26th minute on with 10 men after Prince Buaben’s red card.
New Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha
Manager Pedro Caixinha told Rangers’ official website that he was frustrated with his team’s inability to break Hearts down and kill the game off and expressed his sentiments at half-time at 1-0 up.
He said: “We struggled a little bit with it, but after the sending off the team calmed down a little bit because they dropped off and created two lines of four just to defend the central space.
“We could not move the ball that fast in order to call the opponent to one side and explore the other side, or be more aggressive on the moves off the ball in order to create spaces round the back. That’s what we spoke with the players about at half time.”
He also went on to add that he was annoyed the team made such hard work of the victory, conceding an early second half goal before Barrie McKay restored the lead two minutes later.
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha
Even so Caixinha feels the Gers squandered opportunities to put the game beyond doubt later in the second half.
He added: “We got lucky to score and we could have killed the game with two or three chances we had after that but could not take the best decision.”
Caixinha will be encouraged by Rangers managing to see out the win, but there is no doubt the club need a change in playing personnel this summer, so the Portuguese manager can pick some players he wants to bring in.
While he is currently working from the cards he has been dealt, he hopes to have a few more aces in the pack next season who can help his side be more decisive.
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