Rangers close gap after 10-man leaders Hearts hold off Dundee

Rangers remained within three points of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts following a second 2-0 win over Aberdeen in the space of six days.

Thelo Aasgaard opened the scoring before a James Tavernier penalty sealed victory for Danny Rohl’s side at Tynecastle.

The visitors broke the deadlock midway through the first half, with Aasgaard volleying in after a well-worked short corner routine.

Emmanuel Fernandez thought he had doubled the lead, but his header was ruled out for a foul on Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov following a VAR review.

Nevertheless, Rangers did get their second goal with a quarter of an hour remaining, as Tavernier tucked away from the spot after Graeme Shinnie fouled Djeidi Gassama.

The Gers closed the gap again on Hearts, who edged out Dundee 1-0 at Dens Park, despite playing the second half with 10 men.

Derek McInnes’ side scored what proved to be the winner in the 27th minute, with Claudio Braga firing in his ninth league goal of the season.

However, they lost goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow in first-half stoppage time, as he was deemed to have committed a professional foul after a VAR review.

Yet, veteran substitute Craig Gordon made a remarkable last-gasp save, the 43-year-old producing superb reflexes to claw away Emile Acquah’s header and preserve the visitors’ three points.

CRAIG. GORDON.

pic.twitter.com/aJbDUmjPPS

— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) January 11, 2026

Data Debrief: Rangers resume resurgence as Dons draw another blank

Since Rohl joined the club, Rangers have the most wins (11), points (35) and goals (26) of any Scottish Premiership side, while only Motherwell have conceded fewer goals (four).

Tavernier’s penalty was his 89th Scottish Premiership goal, a tally only bettered by Leigh Griffiths (92) since the competitions rebrand in 2013.

Rangers have also now won three successive top-flight meetings against Aberdeen without conceding for the first time since August 2011.

As for the Dons, they have suffered four straight defeats without finding the net for the first time since December 2010.

Meanwhile, Hearts have now avoided defeat in their last 27 matches when scoring first in the Scottish Premiership, since a 2-1 loss to Kilmarnock in October 2024.