What a finish.

Great win today. Looking like the form team, come on Rangers

Superb result. Great win for Rangers.

WATP!

Edited February 15Feb 15 by Boyne

Youssef Chermiti's fifth, sixth and seventh Rangers goals secured victory.

ByAndy Campbell

BBC Scotland

Youssef Chermiti scored an incredible hat-trick as Rangers beat Hearts for the first time this season to move to within two points of the Scottish Premiership leaders in a rousing contest at Ibrox.

First blood of a tumultuous match was drawn by Marc Leonard as he lashed Hearts in front after a defensive lapse but the hosts quickly levelled through Michael Steinwender's own goal.

Claudio Braga then headed Derek McInnes' side back ahead. Once again Rangers got level, Chermiti sweeping home from close range before half-time.

He then headed Danny Rohl's side in front for the first time from a superb Andreas Skov Olsen delivery and the striker made sure of the win with a cool finish on the break.

Celtic, with a game in hand, are a point off Rangers and three behind Hearts. Derek McInnes' Hearts and Rangers each have 11 league fixtures remaining, Martin O'Neill's Celtic have 12.

There seemed no imminent danger for the home side as Emmanuel Fernandez attempted a pass out of defence but Nico Raskin had his back turned and Leonard pounced. He exchanged passes with Braga and struck superbly.

That lead lasted three minutes as Tuur Rommens' cross caused havoc in the Hearts six-yard box. Chermiti's header was brilliantly saved by Alexander Schwolow, Mikey Moore's rebound effort struck the bar and Steinwender, under pressure from Ryan Naderi, swiped into his own net.

There had been a ruthlessness about Hearts' opener and it was matched with their second. Steinwender delivered from the right and Braga planted an excellent header beyond the static Jack Butland.

Rangers came again, with Chermiti's initial attempt at a cross cut out before he finished well from the right edge of the six-yard box.

Chermiti nodded his second had just been named sponsors' man of the match when he finished the move for Rangers' fourth. Substitute Djeidi Gassama retrieved possession following a clearance, cantered away on the left and found his team-mate on the right.

The low shot brought another big cheer for the home crowd.

Analysis: Chermiti delivers on big stage again

Late winners for Hearts and Celtic and the concession of a late leveller by Rangers in their draw at Motherwell made for a potentially pivotal midweek in the Premiership title race. Sunday appears similarly significant.

Celtic had recovered from a 2-0 half-time deficit to triumph 3-2 with an added-time winner at Kilmarnock before Rangers and Hearts took the field.

Hearts would not have planned for the early exit of Oisin McEntee, who left the field after landing awkwardly on his shoulder. Steinwender's introduction was not easy as he miscued his clearance to draw Rangers level and lost one or two duels with Rommens. However, he showed character with the assist for Braga's goal.

The goals were not the only big moments. An early foul by Eduardo Ageu on Raskin had the huge home crowd calling for red. Referee Don Robertson showed yellow.

And the whistler was having none of it when Skov Olsen went down in the Hearts box, booking the Rangers winger for simulation.

Alexandros Kyziridis attempted a shot so synonymous with his Hearts performances but Butland was able to hold the stinging effort from the inside left channel.

Rangers appealed for a second-half penalty against Stuart Findlay but the officials were satisfied he had headed on to his hand accidentally.

It was Chermiti's day in the end. The Portuguese striker had not scored since his double in January's 3-1 win at Celtic Park and he came up with another crucial brace for Rangers.

Like Steinwender, Chermiti showed resilience, having missed a big chance against Motherwell on Wednesday. He was composed with his first and third goals and opportunistic with his second as he met Skov Olsen's cross at the near post to wrong foot Hearts.

Back in the race boys.

Great win today, some real quality football and goals. Shame the other mob managed to get a late winner though.

Today's team:

well I didn't see this coming - disastrous performance so far

Absolutely baffling how that’s not a penalty, especially with VAR!

Celtic 1 Hibs 2

Laugh? I nearly cried 😂

2-2 in the end a point salvaged. Maybe a useful wake up call ahead of what's to come.

Points dropped but it was one of the best GK performances I’ve seen in a longtime.

Really could do with keeping hold of Mickey Moore, looks to be a proper player.

Mikey Moore's late goal earned Rangers a point.

53 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

Absolutely baffling how that’s not a penalty, especially with VAR!

Totally agree with you. To me, that was a penalty!

Big game on Sunday. I might watch the game in the pub and then go for a walk before heading back to the pub for the Chelsea match. Could be a long day! Here's to a blues double on Sunday.

18 hours ago, Boyne said:

Big game on Sunday. I might watch the game in the pub and then go for a walk before heading back to the pub for the Chelsea match. Could be a long day! Here's to a blues double on Sunday.

Makes perfect sense apart from the bit about going for a walk.

4 hours ago, dermott said:

Makes perfect sense apart from the bit about going for a walk.

Knowing me, I'll probably stay in the pub and have something to eat between games and read a book or newspaper.

5 minutes ago, Boyne said:

Knowing me, I'll probably stay in the pub and have something to eat between games and read a book or newspaper.

Makes perfect sense apart from the bit about reading a book or newspaper.

Today's team:

Come on Rangers!

Great words by Jock Wallace

Come on Rangers!

WHAT A GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!