RANGERS have secured a third place finish in the Premiership this season after beating Hearts at Ibrox.

Pedro Caixinha’s side followed up their win against Partick Thistle last weekend with a deserved 2-1 victory over the Jambos.

Goals from Joe Garner and Barrie McKay won it for the Light Blues as the pressure continues to build on Hearts boss Ian Cathro.

The visitors had Prince Buaben sent off in the first half and were briefly level when Esmael Goncalves netted but it was another disappointing afternoon for the Gorgie faithful.

Gers Boss Caixinha made four changes to the side that left it late at Firhill last weekend as Clint Hill, Lee Hodson, Jon Toral and McKay returned to the starting line-up.

Rangers made a bright start as they picked up where they left off and Garner did likewise as he headed Caixinha’s side into the lead after just six minutes.

Josh Windass switched the play from left to right with a terrific pass before James Tavernier found Kenny Miller and the striker whipped in a cross from the flank.

Garner met the ball with a diving header as he diverted the ball into the far corner of Viktor Noring’s net. A shoulder injury curtailed his celebrations but the striker shrugged off the knock to continue leading the Light Blue attack.

It wasn’t the start that Cathro had hoped for but Wes Foderingham made a smart stop to deny Don Cowie before Malaury Martin fired a free-kick over the bar.

The task soon got harder for the Jambos, though. Garner rose well to flick the ball into the path of Windass and Prince Buaben hauled the midfielder down as he burst towards goal.

Referee Bobby Madden had no choice but to send the Ghanaian off, although Hearts avoided further punishment as Tavernier’s shot was blocked at the near post.

After Bjorn Johnsen saw his header saved by Foderingham, Rangers finished the half stronger as they pushed for a second goal.

David Bates was denied twice in quick succession from a McKay corner before Hill’s header at the back post was scrambled away to safety.

The misses looked like they would cost Rangers when Hearts found the net but the game was only level for a matter of seconds before Caixinha’s side regained control.

The Jambos had been given hope when Goncalves slotted home after Johnsen broke down the left and squared the ball to the striker.

But McKay brought the home fans to their feet as he found the bottom corner from inside the area after keeper Noring failed to clear his lines with a weak punch.

Rangers may have had the advantage on the park and on the scoreboard but Hearts were still in the match as they attempted to cause an upset.

Caixinha introduced Jamie Barjonas and then Martyn Waghorn as the Light Blues looked to see the game out.

It was Rangers who looked the most likely to score again as Tavernier came close with a header before Noring saved a low effort from sub Joe Dodoo.

Waghorn spurned a glorious chance in injury time as he failed to beat the Jambos keeper but it didn’t come back to haunt Caixinha's side.