Ally McCoist’s first game in charge of Rangers failed to produce a win as Hearts held the champions 1-1 on the first day of the new Scottish Premier League season.
David Obua put the visitors ahead at Ibrox before Steven Naismith levelled matters, and - try as they might – the defending champions could not grab a winner on what was an anticlimactic start to the McCoist era.
The Gers striking legend chose to watch from the stand as his chairman, Craig Whyte, unfurled the title-winners’ flag prior to kick-off. However, the season was just 16 minutes old when its first shock was threatened big time.
Danny Grainger swung in a corner from the right hand side and no Gers defender felt the need to try and shackle Obua as the Ugandan forward rose to head Hearts into the lead.
Jim Jefferies’ men then had a chance to increase their surprise advantage. New signing John Sutton flicked the ball on for David Templeton, with Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor called on to deny the winger’s driven effort.
Nikica Jelavic had fired wide in the opening stages for Rangers, but it was towards the end of the first half before he got another chance. However, on this occasion the former Rapid Vienna man’s scuffed effort was touched behind by Marian Kello. Nothing came from the corner and Hearts’ 1-0 lead was intact at the interval.
Kirk Broadfoot brought another save from Kello early in the second half as the Slovakian denied the defender’s header. Naismith then failed to test the Hearts stopper after he turned debutant Juan Manuel Ortiz’s cross over when he really should have done better. He then headed a further effort wide, also from Ortiz’s assist.
However, the fiery Scotland midfielder made amends 13 minutes into the second period as he beat Kello to level the score. Sasa Papac can claim an assist, the left-back - who retained his place despite the midweek acquisition of Lee Wallace from Saturday’s opponents – launched a high cross into the area, which was met by a glancing header home from Naismith.
Having flattered to deceive in the first half the Gers were now all over their opponents, with full backs Papac and Steven Whittaker tearing relentlessly forward, one such move leading in a disallowed goal as Jelavic was offside.
Hearts faded, yet were not still without the occasional threat and McGregor had to be very alert to keep Obua from doubling his tally with a fierce 18-yard drive. Soon after, Papac could not get enough power behind a shot at the opposite end.
Rangers kept the pressure up in the closing stages, but could not find the second goal and McCoist will not be happy to have conceded ground already in the season’s embryonic stages.