Heart of Midlothian secured a dramatic 2–1 victory over Rangers at Tynecastle Park in the Scottish Premiership on 21 December 2025.
The match kicked off at 5:30 PM in front of 18,829 supporters in Edinburgh and delivered intensity, physicality and late drama.
Rangers controlled possession for long spells, but Hearts were more decisive in front of goal during key moments.
Hearts lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that emphasised defensive compactness and quick transitions.
Rangers’ 3-1-4-2 system allowed them to dominate the midfield areas and push numbers forward in wide channels.
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The breakthrough came in the 38th minute from a set-piece situation.
Stuart Findlay rose highest inside the six-yard box to head home and give Hearts the lead after sustained pressure.
The goal lifted the home crowd and shifted momentum toward the hosts.
Just four minutes later, Hearts struck again.
Lawrence Shankland finished clinically in the 42nd minute to double the advantage before half-time.
Rangers struggled to deal with Hearts’ aerial threat and physical presence inside the penalty area during this period.
At the break, Hearts held a commanding 2–0 lead despite having less of the ball.
Rangers emerged in the second half with renewed urgency and increased attacking intent.
Substitutions at the interval and just after the hour mark added fresh energy to the visitors’ forward play.
Hearts responded by tightening their defensive shape and protecting central spaces.
The match became increasingly stretched as Rangers pushed bodies forward in search of a way back into the contest.
Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow was rarely called into major action as Rangers struggled to create clear openings.
A series of corners and crosses into the box highlighted Rangers’ territorial dominance without cutting through the defensive line.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Rangers finally found a breakthrough.
Youssef Chermiti scored in the 95th minute after a late scramble in the penalty area reduced the deficit to 2–1.
The late goal set up a tense finish as Hearts defended deep to protect their lead.
The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought and tactically disciplined win for the home side.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Heart of Midlothian vs Rangers |
| Competition | 2025-26 Scottish Premiership |
| Date | 21 December 2025 |
| Start Time | 5:30 PM |
| Venue | Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh |
| Attendance | 18,829 |
| Referee | Nick Walsh |
| Half-time | Hearts 2–0 Rangers |
| Full-time | Hearts 2–1 Rangers |
| Formations | Hearts 4-2-3-1 / Rangers 3-1-4-2 |
Goal Timeline
| Minute | Team | Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| 38′ | Hearts | Stuart Findlay |
| 42′ | Hearts | Lawrence Shankland |
| 90+5′ | Rangers | Youssef Chermiti |
Match Statistics Comparison
| Stat | Hearts | Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 42.1% | 57.9% |
| Shots on Goal | 5 | 2 |
| Shot Attempts | 14 | 11 |
| Corner Kicks | 6 | 10 |
| Saves | 1 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
Rangers’ superior possession and corner count reflected their territorial advantage throughout the match.
Hearts’ greater efficiency in front of goal and stronger aerial presence proved decisive.
The home side’s defensive discipline in the second half limited Rangers to speculative efforts rather than clear chances.
Findlay and Shankland’s first-half goals ultimately provided enough cushion to withstand the late Rangers surge.