So, while champions Celtic are involved in the small matter of a League Cup final against Aberdeen, Rangers have edged into a one-point lead at the top of the Premiership - the first time they have been there for seven years.

A few weeks after topping the table, Hearts, meanwhile, are now in fourth after a run of four consecutive defeats in the league.

Join us for the next round of Premiership games on Wednesday, but don't forget to switch to our other live coverage for the aforementioned final, which is about to kick off at Hampden.

Not for the first time this season, and building on his superb performance against Villarreal on Thursday, Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor was voted man of the match by you for his performance against Hearts.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard disagreed with counterpart Craig Levein about the officials, suggesting that they "were excellent" and "strong".

Indeed, the thought his own midfielder, Scott Arfield, probably deserved his red card as his challenge on goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal "looked late".

Asked whether his side could remain top of the Premiership, Gerrard told BT Sport: "We'll have to try. The pressure comes from behind now and they have games in hand.

"But that's not important right now for me.

"What's important is that we have come away from home against a big team and got a result."

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is delighted with the way his side had performed considering they had a tough Europa League game on Thursday.

"You've got to be resilient in this league, especially against teams like Hearts, who don't go away," he tells BT Sport.

"No matter what the scoreline is, they keep coming and they've got a manager who fires them up.

"When the game is 2-1, you know the game is still in the balance, but the lads have shown unbelievable mental strength and character.

"We emptied it on Thursday night and had 72 hours to recover.

"Hearts before the game were talking about energy and intensity, but we were the fitter and better today.

"They were better for the first 20 minutes, but we completely dominated the game thereafter."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS Group Rob Casey

You can now read Colin Moffat's report as Rangers go top of the Premiership for the first time this season after a controversial 2-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Hearts manager Craig Levein was left angry by referee Bobby Madden's decisions and especially thought Alfredo Morelos was offside for Rangers' winner.

"I've lost my voice shouting at the referee," he told BBC Scotland. "I thought it was a terrible performance.

"How Morelos gets away with what he gets away with, I don't understand.

"How many fouls can you give away without being booked?

"Like Neil Lennon said when Hibs played Celtic at Celtic Park, it was like playing against 12 men.

"I was delighted with the players after their difficult run and I feel that, on another day, it is a game we could have won."

Image source, SNS

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Allan Preston
BBC Scotland summariser

Kyle: Rangers deserve the win despite the controversial winning goal. It’s a massive win - great character shown, especially after the harsh red card. Rangers had more chances and deserved it - and my 2-1 Rangers prediction came true to. Cracking match.

bringthemonjpn: What a day for Rangers, and no cup final to worry about.

Ten-man Rangers secure victory in an ill-tempered encounter at Tynecastle to move top of the Premiership table.

Hearts captain Christophe Berra and Peter Haring get into one another's way trying to get a header into the Rangers penalty area, symbolic of much of the hosts' attacks in the second half.

Five minutes of added time at Tynecastle. Can Hearts find an equaliser? Or will 10-man Rangers hang on to claim top spot?

Substitute Olly Lee lashes an effort high and wide of goal, much to the chagrin of the Hearts supporters.

Kyle Lafferty replaces Daniel Candeias as Rangers look to see out the remaining four minutes plus added time.

Steven Gerrard's side are minutes away from moving top of the Premiership.

Allan Preston
BBC Scotland summariser

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

Image source, SNS

Allan Preston
BBC Scotland summariser

Rangers have a corner after the Hearts wall deflects a free-kick wide and over. This Premiership encounter, with 15 minutes remaining, is threatening to boil over.