Glasgow Rangers frustrated by gritty Hearts

Posted Saturday, July 23, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

GLASGOW (AFP) - Rangers made a sluggish start to their title defence as the Scottish champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Hearts on the opening day of the season on Saturday.

Ally McCoist's competitive debut as Rangers manager, 28 years after he made his playing debut for the Glasgow club, didn't start happily when Uganda's David Obua headed Hearts into a 16th minute lead at Ibrox.

Obua and David Templeton had chances to increase Hearts' lead before half-time, but Rangers improved in the second-half and debutant Juan Manuel Ortiz crossed for Steven Naismith to nod home the equaliser in the 57th minute.

Nikica Jelavic had an effort ruled out for offside seven minutes later, but Allan McGregor had to be alert to stop Obua's shot sneaking in and Rangers will need a far better display in their Champions League qualifier against Malmo on Tuesday.

Old Firm rivals Celtic open their league campaign against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday.

McCoist opted to pair Kirk Broadfoot with Madjid Bougherra in the centre of defence due to David Weir's suspension.

Hearts handed first league starts to Mehdi Taouil and John Sutton but it was fellow debutant Danny Grainger who set up the opening goal in the 16th minute.

The former St Johnstone player sent in an excellent delivery from a corner and Obua rose unchallenged to bullet a header past McGregor from 10 yards out.

Some of the Rangers players looked to still be in holiday mode as they struggled to cope with the pace of the match in what is the earliest ever SPL start date.

Templeton took advantage of some slackness to slip between two Rangers defenders but the outrushing McGregor blocked his shot with his legs.

Obua could then have doubled his tally after Templeton slipped him in but the Ugandan lacked composure as he slammed his first-time effort into the side netting.

Hearts had been worth their lead at the break but Rangers began the second-half with more purpose.

Jambos keeper Marian Kello first had to push away a Broadfoot header before diving to smoother a Steven Davis shot.

Naismith then twice missed chances for an equaliser as he smashed Ortiz's cross-field pass over the bar before flicking the Spaniard's cross wide minutes later.

However it was third time lucky for Scotland striker Naismith when he headed Rangers level in the 57th minute.

Sasa Papac got his cross over at the second time of asking and Naismith appeared at the near post to nod it past Kello from six yards.

Jelavic rolled the ball into the net minutes later after collecting an Ortiz pass but the Croatian had strayed offside in the build up and his effort was disallowed.

Rangers brought on Gregg Wylde for Ortiz as they searched for the winner but it was Hearts who were next to threaten, with McGregor showing why McCoist handed him a six-year contract in the summer when he produced a superb save to tip over Obua's fierce strike from the edge of the box.

Papac had a late chance after being set up by Naismith but his shot lacked power and Kello easily gathered.