Hamill spoils the Rangers farewell party

Rangers 0 Heart of Midlothian 1

Hearts gate-crashed the Ibrox leaving do for Michael Mols and the De Boer twins by recording their first victory at Ibrox since January 1996.

Hearts gate-crashed the Ibrox leaving do for Michael Mols and the De Boer twins by recording their first victory at Ibrox since January 1996.

Joe Hamill netted the only goal of the match to end a 22-game winless run against Rangers that dated back almost six years.

The result was hugely pleasing to the Jambos manager, Craig Levein, who has maintained his side's reputation as the best outside the Old Firm for the second season running and under difficult circumstances both financially and politically. But the pre-match build-up had centred around the final Ibrox appearances of captain for the night Mols and fellow Dutchmen Ronald and Frank de Boer.

There might be other departures too, with the midfielder Mikel Arteta the most likely suspect and that would be a shame for Rangers after this display.

Chris Burke apart, he was often the only Ranger willing to take on opponents and came the closest to giving his side the lead before the break. But his cleverly placed free-kick gone in at the near post had Craig Gordon, the Scotland Under-21 international goalkeeper, reacted in time to make a low stop.

It was all very unsatisfactory stuff forthe home fans were concerned and the watching Berti Vogts could not have failed to spot that striker Steven Thompson was having a clumsy game that will hasten his relegation to the bench next season when Dado Prso pulls on a blue shirt.

Within five minutes of the restart Hearts went ahead through Hamill, who seized on to a back pass from Hutton. The 20-year-old having little difficulty slotting past McGregor.

Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Khizanishvili,

Frank de Boer (Ross 45), Vanoli, Ricksen, Arteta, Hughes (Lovenkrands 45), Burke, Mols (Ronald de Boer 79), Thompson. Substitutes not used : Robinson, MacKenzie.

Hearts: Gordon, Neilson, Webster, Severin, Kisnorbo, Boyack (Sloan, 80), MacFarlane, Hartley, Janczyk, Hamill, Weir (McKenna, 75). Substitutes not used: Moilanen, Wyness, Simmons.

Referee: D McDonald.