Rangers’ return to Tynecastle on Sunday ended in a 2‑2 draw with Hearts, a result that left the home fans furious with manager Derek McInnes. The Scottish Premiership side had been left out of the title race after a narrow loss to Celtic in Edinburgh, and McInnes’ first match back at Ibrox since leaving the club in June saw him greeted by boos as he stepped out of the tunnel. Despite the hostile reception, the Hammers managed to hold the visiting side to a point.
The match opened with a quick strike from Kevin Kelsy in the 16th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse from Laurent Mendy. Hearts responded in the second half with goals from Cláudio Braga and Calvin Miller, both early in the second period, putting the visitors ahead. Rangers fought back late in the game when Olwethu Makhanya headed home a rebound in the 89th minute, salvaging a point for the side that sits second in the league. The result keeps Rangers four points behind Celtic and four ahead of Hearts in the standings.
Celtic also secured a point in a 2‑2 draw with Dundee United at Parkhead. Colombian striker Camilo Durán opened the scoring in the 18th minute, but Australian forward Zac Sapsford equalised ten minutes later. Defender Neil Farrugia then put the visitors ahead in the 21st minute, only for Liam Scales to level the score in the 64th minute. Manager Martin O’Neill admitted the team had been disappointed not to win at home, but praised the players for fighting back after conceding early goals. He noted that Dundee United had played well and that the match could have gone either way.
In other league action, Aberdeen lost 1‑0 to Falkirk, with Stephen Robinson acknowledging his side was not good enough but refusing to berate his players. Aberdeen’s Ben Brauhaus scored the only goal of the game, a side‑footed finish from the centre of the box. Robinson later reflected that the team had missed several clear chances, describing them as “very, very easy” opportunities that were not converted.
Dundee United finished a 3‑1 victory over Kilmarnock at Dens Park, thanks to late goals from Ash Hay in the 83rd minute and the fifth minute of added time. The win was secured after Joe Hugill’s penalty in the 75th minute. Hibernian moved off the bottom of the table with a 1‑1 draw at St Mirren, while Motherwell ended a six‑match losing streak with a 2‑2 draw against St Johnstone, courtesy of a 93rd‑minute equaliser from Josh Campbell.