Rangers Edge Hearts As Chermiti Nets Hat-Trick To Close Gap

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Rangers stayed in the Scottish Premiership title race with a 4-2 comeback victory over Hearts at Ibrox Stadium, as Youssef Chermiti scored a hat-trick. Rangers twice trailed in the first half, but Chermiti’s ruthless finishing and a dominant attacking display moved Danny Rohl’s side to within two points of leaders Hearts on February 15, 2026.

The result also tightened the chase involving Celtic, who remain one point behind Rangers with a game in hand after a late win over Kilmarnock. When Danny Rohl arrived in October, Rangers sat 13 points adrift of Hearts. That gap has now been cut dramatically, with this latest fightback underlining Rangers’ growing resilience in pressure situations.

Hearts struck first after 16 minutes following a defensive error from Rangers. Emmanuel Fernandez misplaced a pass near his own area, and Claudio Braga reacted quickest. Braga slid the ball to Marc Leonard, who drove a powerful right-footed shot into the top-right corner beyond Jack Butland to give the visitors an early advantage.

Rangers equalised three minutes later with a move that mixed sharp attacking play and misfortune for Hearts. Alexander Schwolow produced an excellent save from Chermiti’s close-range header, but the danger was not cleared. Michael Steinwender, stretching to intervene, sliced the loose ball into his own net, bringing the score back level at 1-1.

Steinwender then made amends on the half-hour mark as Hearts regained the lead. The defender advanced on the left and delivered a teasing cross into the box. Braga timed the run perfectly and met the ball with a looping header across goal, which sailed over Butland and dipped underneath the crossbar to restore Hearts’ advantage.

Rangers responded again six minutes before the interval through Chermiti’s first goal of the evening. Chermiti drove into the penalty area and forced a duel with Craig Halkett. After shrugging off Halkett’s sliding challenge, Chermiti stayed composed and drilled a low shot inside Schwolow’s near post to send the teams into half-time level at 2-2.

The home side took control shortly before the hour as Chermiti struck again. Andreas Skov Olsen swung in a driven cross towards the near post, where Chermiti had stolen a march on the marker. The forward connected with a powerful header that flashed past Schwolow, giving Rangers the lead for the first time in the match.

Chermiti completed his treble in stoppage time to remove any remaining doubt. Djeidi Gassama threaded a precise pass into the box, finding Chermiti in space. Chermiti took a calm first touch to set the chance and then fired a ruthless right-footed finish beyond Schwolow, sealing a 4-2 victory and capping a standout individual performance.

Rangers 4-2 Hearts: Data shows Chermiti influence

Chermiti had endured a lean spell before this game, having not scored since a brace against Celtic at the start of January. Against Hearts, Chermiti led Rangers’ attack in every key metric, topping the team for total shots, involvement in the penalty area and physical duels, underlining a complete centre-forward display on a crucial league night.

Rangers’ attacking pressure was reflected in the underlying numbers, which showed a clear gap between the sides. Rangers produced 19 shots and an expected goals figure of 2.41. Hearts managed only seven attempts, with an xG of 0.35. The figures supported the impression that Rangers controlled most of the contest despite twice falling behind.

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The victory continued a strong pattern of comebacks for Rangers in this Premiership campaign. Rangers have now collected 10 points from losing positions in league play, a total bettered only by Dundee United, who have recovered 13 points. That resilience, added to Chermiti’s return to form, keeps the title race tight as the season moves deeper into 2026.