Match ends, Rangers 2, Heart of Midlothian 0.
Rangers consolidated second place in the Premiership as Ian Cathro lost his first match as Hearts head coach.
The hosts had the better first-half chances and moved into the lead when Rob Kiernan headed in James Tavernier's free-kick.
Hearts had earlier netted through Don Cowie, but the midfielder was flagged offside.
A long throw-in by Lee Wallace found its way to Barrie McKay to poke home Rangers' second.
Rangers move clear in second
Mark Warburton's side now lead Hearts by five points and go four clear of Aberdeen, who have a game in hand. Celtic, with three games in hand, lead the division by eight points.
Hearts had beaten Rangers 2-0 in Robbie Neilson's last match in charge on 30 November, with Jon Daly in interim charge for last weekend's 2-2 draw with Ross County.
Warburton's men had recovered from their loss at Tynecastle by beating Aberdeen to reclaim second place and Rangers were determined to hold on to it with several openings before Kiernan scored.
Wallace was wide with one effort and saw another saved and Kenny Miller lobbed wide from a promising position.
Goal droughts end
However, the home fans would see their team in front by half-time, Kiernan powerfully nodding home Tavernier's free-kick. It was the defender's first goal since joining Rangers in June 2015.
Rangers continued where they left off in the second half and took advantage of sloppy defending by Igor Rossi and Facyal Rherras when Wallace's throw was not cut out and McKay applied the finish - his first goal since netting in the League Cup in July.
Joe Garner and Miller's replacement Martyn Waghorn had further efforts as the home side finished strongly, with one of Waghorn's shots requiring a fine block by Jack Hamilton.
No dream debut for Cathro
Hearts' best spell had come in the first half and Cowie celebrated after finishing on the rebound following a Callum Paterson shot that was saved by Wes Foderingham.
However, the visitors and their new head coach, who joined after spells on the coaching staff at Rio Ave, Valencia and Newcastle, would be left frustrated by the linesman's raised flag.
Hearts' Jamie Walker fired wide but was later booked for simulation in what proved to be a disappointing debut for 30-year-old Cathro.
Line-ups
Rangers
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Foderingham
- 17Hodson
- 4Kiernan
- 6Wilson
- 5Wallace
- 2Tavernier
- 16Halliday
- 23Holt
- 9MillerSubstituted forWaghornat 60'minutes
- 7GarnerBooked at 42minsSubstituted forDodooat 88'minutes
- 10McKaySubstituted forBurtat 90+1'minutes
Substitutes
- 14Dodoo
- 21Crooks
- 24Senderos
- 25Gilks
- 29O'Halloran
- 33Waghorn
- 52Burt
Hearts
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Hamilton
- 2PatersonBooked at 67mins
- 14Souttar
- 4Rossi
- 3Rherras
- 6KitchenBooked at 36mins
- 15CowieSubstituted forSmithat 81'minutes
- 7WalkerBooked at 41minsSubstituted forWattat 51'minutes
- 10Sutchuin-DjoumBooked at 45mins
- 23MuirheadSubstituted forSammonat 69'minutes
- 20Johnsen
Substitutes
- 5Ozturk
- 8Buaben
- 13Noring
- 17Oshaniwa
- 18Sammon
- 24Smith
- 32Watt
- Referee:
- John Beaton
- Attendance:
- 50,039
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home3
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rangers 2, Heart of Midlothian 0.
Post update
Foul by Liam Burt (Rangers).
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Liam Smith (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Liam Burt replaces Barrie McKay.
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Attempt blocked. Conor Sammon (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Attempt blocked. Jason Holt (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Attempt missed. Martyn Waghorn (Rangers) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Rangers. Joseph Dodoo replaces Joe Garner.
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Joe Garner (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian).
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Attempt missed. Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Liam Smith replaces Don Cowie.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bjorn Johnsen (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Faycal Rherras.
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Jason Holt (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Don Cowie (Heart of Midlothian).
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Attempt saved. Martyn Waghorn (Rangers) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Attempt missed. Tony Watt (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
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Attempt blocked. Tony Watt (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.