Credit: IMAGO

Ciaran Morrison

Sun 21 December 2025 19:00, UK

Rangers’ title hopes were dented as Hearts’ fine season continued in the Scottish Premiership thanks to a 2-1 victory.

Stuart Findlay and Lawrence Shankland struck in the first half to hand Danny Rohl his first league defeat as Rangers boss, with Chermiti netting a late consolation.

Rohl is looking to begin the rebuild of his Rangers squad in the January transfer window, and this defeat showed the flaws that need addressing.

Below are Rangers’ three losers from the defeat in Edinburgh, which leaves Rohl’s side 12 points off the top of the table.

Mohamed Diomande

Mohamed Diomande was substituted at half-time for Chermiti, with right-back James Tavernier pushed into midfield.

Diomande was anonymous in the middle of the park during the first half, with the 24-year-old having just 20 touches of the ball.

This was another poor performance from Diomande for Rangers this season, in what will be a growing concern for Rohl.

Bojan Miovski

The striker looked to have given Rangers the lead when he turned Emmanuel Fernandez’s header into the net, but he had strayed offside.

That was about the only involvement from Bojan Miovski during the first half, with the striker left isolated up-front.

Miovski also did not help himself with his poor hold-up play and lack of strength to hold off the Hearts defenders.

Rangers could target a striker in the January transfer window, and Miovski’s place in the team could come under threat.

Max Aarons

Rangers set up in a back three meaning Max Aarons was given the responsibility of playing at wing-back during the first half.

Aarons completed just one successful cross to a team-mate throughout the match and won zero of his aerial duels.

Tavernier remains the number one in the right-back role, with the 34-year-old offering far more going forward than Aarons.

Aarons, on loan to Rangers from Bournemouth in the Premier League, has yet to show that he is a long-term replacement for Tavernier.