Makhanya late equalizer rescues Hearts draw against Rangers

Rangers earned a 2-2 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle Park as Olwethu Makhanya headed home an 89th-minute equalizer on a return for Ibrox manager Derek McInnes, Sky Sports reported.

McInnes Endures Hostile Reception in Gorgie

The fixture marked McInnes’s first match back in Gorgie since departing for Ibrox in June. His exit came just weeks after Hearts narrowly missed out on the Scottish Premiership title. Emerging from the tunnel before kickoff, the 55-year-old manager was met with loud boos from the home support, according to Sky Sports.

Early Lead Gives Way to Hearts Revival

Despite the hostile atmosphere, the visitors silenced the home crowd early. In the 16th minute, Kevin Kelsy capitalized on a defensive lapse from Laurent Mendy to finish past goalkeeper Beau Reus. However, Hearts emerged with renewed energy after the interval. Claudio Braga leveled the score three minutes into the second half, scrambling the ball over the line from close range. The hosts seized the lead in the 57th minute when Tomas Magnusson dispossessed Kim Minsu and fed Braga. The Portuguese forward drove into the penalty area, his angled shot deflecting off Manny Fernandez into the path of Calvin Miller, who smashed a low finish past the keeper from seven yards out.

Makhanya Header Earns Rangers a Late Draw

Trailing late in the game, Rangers found a lifeline when substitute Bouanani delivered a free-kick from the left wing. Makhanya rose to meet it, heading past the defense to level the score in the 89th minute. Dujon Sterling squandered a golden chance to steal all three points in stoppage time, chesting a cross straight into the arms of Reus. The result leaves Rangers four points behind Celtic—who drew with Dundee United—and four points ahead of Hearts, whose unbeaten home league run stretched to 26 matches, as reported by The Guardian.

Contrasting Verdicts From the Technical Area

The final whistle brought further drama as a tetchy exchange marred the traditional post-match handshakes between the managers. Hearts head coach Wouter Vrancken expressed frustration with the result, telling Sky Sports:

Wouter Vrancken Actually, we lost two points.

I think we had to win here.

Vrancken also questioned the sincerity of his counterpart’s greeting, stating: At the end everybody fights for his own team, works hard for his own team and in their way of working so I think it’s normal and this is also how it has to be but at the end it has to be a genuine handshake. When asked about the handshake, Vrancken added: I don’t think so but afterwards we spoke so I think it’s okay.

Meanwhile, Kris Boyd offered a blunt assessment of the encounter on Sky Sports, declaring that Rangers have stolen a point here tonight. Boyd added that Hearts had faced many games, were fatigued, and had injuries, making them the better team, which would be concerning. Reflecting on the topsy-turvy nature of the contest, McInnes offered a tempered view to Sky Sports:

Derek McInnes I think we deserve our point. If we’d scored a winner there, possibly it would have been unjust.