Rangers direct title race message at Hearts as Ibrox questions change after Tynecastle inquest

Rangers have sent a message the way of Hearts after clawing back some ground on the Premiership leaders.

Derek McInnes’ side suffered their second loss of the season in the Edinburgh derby against Hibs and the Light Blues capitalised with a victory against Motherwell. Hearts had downed Danny Rohl’s side prior to Christmas but Rangers have now cut the gap between them in third and the Jambos on top to nine points, with a game in hand.

Next up for the Light Blues is a clash with St Mirren midweek. Questions were being asked of Rangers after defeat in Gorgie but now with talk of the title resurfacing, Rohl has welcomed a change in mood music after Tynecastle, but warned there’s plenty of a race to run.

Will Rangers challenge Hearts for the title?

Rohl said: "It's a long, long way, a long journey and a lot of games to go. We are still in the race but a lot of games to go. It’s about the next challenge we have. I think after the Hearts defeat the question was different, today we have this question. I understand but it's about the next game and the next three points."

He added on the victory: "I'm very happy for the group. We put a lot of effort in and you saw at the end of the game that we were empty. It was a good game from both sides and very enjoyable if you're a neutral supporter, but if you're the coach of Rangers then you have the feeling that you should have killed the game earlier.

"There were a lot of opportunities to make it 2-0 or 3-0. We didn't start well in the first 15 minutes, then we changed a tactical part that helped massively. There was a disallowed goal in the second half and then we scored to make it 1-0, but you want to score more because you never know.

Danny Rohl on Rangers 1-0 Motherwell

"I thought it was exceptional from Jack [Butland] today, especially after the criticism from the Hearts game but I totally believe in him and he helps us to the clean sheet. We were really good in the game; really aggressive and won the ball in good situations.

"It's now about the next game. It will be a difficult one again. It will be a different challenge from today and it's a team who are very well organised, wait for transition moments, and are very aggressive.

“But we have to find a way to win the game and the key at the moment is winning games, winning games, and always about the next game. If we continue in this way then we'll get more and more points. "I think every player who comes back from injury helps the group. We have had a lot of injuries in the last four or five weeks, and now that we have a busy schedule everyone is helpful. It's also good to bring John Souttar back. He's a big personality on and off the pitch and he will help us a lot."