Why Hearts managers aren't judged by defeats to Rangers at Ibrox, explains interim boss Austin MacPhee

Austin MacPhee is targeting a win over Livingston at Tynecastle on Wednesday
Austin MacPhee directs his players as Hearts fell to a 5-0 defeat to Rangers. Picture: SNSAustin MacPhee directs his players as Hearts fell to a 5-0 defeat to Rangers. Picture: SNS
Austin MacPhee directs his players as Hearts fell to a 5-0 defeat to Rangers. Picture: SNS

Hearts slumped to a 5-0 defeat to Rangers in what was a miserable afternoon at Ibrox for the Capital side.

After a somewhat bright start by the visitors, Alfredo Morelos headed the home side in front, and even at that stage with nearly 80 minutes to play it was a mountain to climb.

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Ryan Kent added a second in the first half before a Christophe Berra own goal and Greg Stewart double made the final score 5-0 after the interval.

Interim boss Austin MacPhee was left to rue poor defensive play for the opening goals.

"It was a difficult afternoon,” he said. “We are disappointed in the first half in particular. Joel hasn't had a save to make and we can defend the two goals better. It's a very good header from Morelos. He drifted off Berra into an area where we aren't too strong in the air. Young Jamie maybe commits too early. The second one, the cutback for Kent, we have to make sure we deal with men in the box.”

He added: “We got to the final third but lacked a little bit of quality when we got there. We tried to play the two front players wider - on the outsides of Goldson and Helander, to try and pin their full-backs in a bit. I think we could have been a bit better in possession. Uche and Steven combined well at times but we didn't trouble Allan McGregor enough.”

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MacPhee turned his attention to Wednesday when Livingston travel to Tynecastle, stating that he isn’t going to be judged by a the defeat to Rangers.

"No manager is going to get judged on the result of a game here,” he said. “Hearts haven't won at Ibrox in the league (top flight) since 2012 so the expectations are different.

“The expectations on Wednesday night are absolutely that we must take three points. I'll be doing all I can to ensure the right team is on the pitch with the right approach to do that.”