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Glasgow Live
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Alan Galindo

Rangers 1 Hearts 0 as Malik Tillman saves the day with Ibrox winner - 3 things we learned

Malik Tillman grabbed a huge goal for Rangers as they picked up a huge three points at Ibrox.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst went into the game with Hearts under massive pressure after some poor results and performances of late. The Light Blues went down to St Johnstone in Perth on Sunday and dropped recent league points in Govan to Livingston to leave them trailing Celtic and Ange Postecoglou by seven points at the Premiership summit.

It may have not been a vintage performance at times but the Rangers players and staff will welcome a return to winning ways that keeps them ticking towards the World Cup break with one final fixture to come this coming weekend against St Mirren. An extended period to get key bodies back from injury and to put in the hard-graft on the training ground before December's return. Here's three things we learned at Ibrox.

A big win and three points for Rangers at Ibrox after narrow win over Hearts (SNS Group)

READ MORE: Rangers announce £86.8m club record turnover as Europa League run and transfers key to big result

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Save the best Till last

Malik Tillman was Rangers' hero on the night as he fired home the winner against Hearts.

His quality is clear and when he is flying, he is very difficult to stop.

Some excellent bits of skill in this one, but maybe sometimes guilty over overplaying instead of having a pop at goal.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's summer signing could have scored one of the biggest goals of his managerial reign to lift some of the pressure on his shoulders.

Pull the trigger

A noticeable part of Rangers' game was the lack of firing shots on sight.

A number of times the home side over played rather than test Craig Gordon in the Hearts goal.

Ryan Kent and Malik Tillman were both guilty early on in the match.

Scotland and Jambos No1 Gordon not forced into action until the 33rd minute with a simple save.

Narrow win but need to test opposition goalkeeper more often in matches.

Defensive warning

Hearts' game plan was simple. Getting the ball down the side of Leon King or Ben Davies to the speedy Josh Ginnelly.

The Ibrox duo had a big let-off after just five minutes when he broke through but was denied by the onrushing Allan McGregor.

A couple of other warnings early on from the visitors who had a clear idea of what they wanted to do.

Again, another big opportunity just minutes into the second period from the visitiors.

Connor Goldson's calm and composed figure at the back really being missed in recent times.

READ NEXT:

- Charlie Nicholas names two Rangers 'serious contenders' if Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces sack

- Rangers announce winter friendly as Xabi Alonso brings Bayer Leverkusen to Ibrox during shutdown

- Gio van Bronckhorst Rangers future discussed by Barry Ferguson as Malik Tillman handed 'bored' tag

- Michael Beale opens up on 'long overdue' Rangers return as he labels Ibrox club as 'wonderful'

- Rangers fans would not be happy with Steven Gerrard return as Alex Rae labels Hearts as 'must-win'

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