Rangers 2 Hearts 0

Last updated : 07 April 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Billy Dodds livened up a dull end of season game against Hearts at Ibrox with a well taken double.

This game was played in brilliant sunshine and the players from both sides joined in the holiday spirit with typical nothing at stake performances. Even the healthy attendance of over 47.000 couldn't fire them up with enthusiasm.

Hearts, who were without Steven Pressley and Andy Kirk through injury, had Gronlund taken off after a collision with Nerlinger after only 10 minutes and then on 30 mins Kenny Milne suffered a head knock which also forced him to leave the field.

Robert Tomaschek came on to make his long-awaited comeback after eight months recovering from a serious knee injury.

Rangers dominated the first half but far to often their forward runs were stopped by the offside flag.

The breakthrough did come however in the 39th minute when Dodds gave Antti Niemi no chance.

Andrei Kanchelskis crossed to the near post from the right and Peter Lovenkrands was able to help the ball onwards under pressure with a back header.

Dodds, left all alone slid in to divert the ball past the exposed goalkeeper.

After the break Gary Wales was denied by a good save from Stefan Klos, with the German making a block when his opponent looked odds-on to score.

It was to prove a crucial miss as Dodds then made it 2-0 with a well-taken header.

Tony Vidmar sent Neil McCann away down the left and his cross found the striker and Dodds made no mistake as he planted the ball past Niemi.

Jimmy Gibson came on for the final 32 mins but then to be replaced a minute from time due to injury. Mols was also given a 20 minute run out by McLeish.

The game petered out with only a Maybury tackle preventing Dodds from getting his hat trick after some fine work by Kanchelskis.