Family value at Gers matters most to Jelavic

Rangers have won their last 13 SPL games on the road with the loss of just one goal, which came in their title-clinching 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock in May.

The latest win came at Tynecastle, where Hearts had won four consecutive SPL games without conceding a goal.

Jelavic, who netted a brilliant second goal in a 2-0 win, feels their new central defensive partnership of Carlos Bocanegra and Dorin Goian have been instrumental in this season’s run, with Allan McGregor coming to the rescue when the back line is breached.

Jelavic, whose team face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday, said: “Hearts is always a hard place to go and take three points but we showed team spirit and character. Now we need to look forward to Aberdeen.

“It’s always nice to win games, especially when you’re not conceding goals. The whole team showed that we are like a family. We stick together, especially in central defence with Carlos and Dorin. They are fantastic players and Greegsy [McGregor] has saved us many times.”

Jelavic shook off a bug that had stopped him training for several days before Sunday’s Tynecastle clash.

The Croatian came off the bench to score with his first touch, a brilliant cushioned volley following Bocanegra’s 50-yard pass over the top.

Jelavic said: “I took a first touch and scored. Easy. Simple! It was a great ball from Carlos. At first I thought maybe I could control the ball and then I thought ‘I’m too deep’.

“It’s not easy but I decided to take one touch. I concentrated on the ball and it was brilliant.”