RANGERS have fallen five points off the pace in the Premiership after being held to a goalless draw at home to Hearts.

Pedro Caixinha’s side were aiming to bounce back from their defeat to Hibernian last time out.

But they produced a flat performance at Ibrox and shipped another two crucial points in the top flight. There were few positives for the Portuguese on another frustrating afternoon for the Gers.

Caixinha made just one change to the side that started against Hibs last weekend after Ryan Jack was cleared to play following his red card appeal.

Skipper Lee Wallace returned at left-back in place of Lee Hodson but there wasn’t even a spot in the squad for Eduardo Herrera as Ryan Hardie earned a seat on the bench.

For Hearts, there was a start for Light Blues target Jamie Walker as caretaker boss Jon Daly made his return to Ibrox.

Rangers have stormed out of the traps in their first two Premiership clashes this term but it was a low key first half here.

Kenny Miller was denied by Christophe Berra after a neat move from Josh Windass and Wallace before Ibrox was almost stunned as John Souttar rattled the woodwork with a terrific strike from 30 yards.

That was as close as the Jambos would come in the opening period but Rangers had a couple of other chances.

Souttar did well to block Windass after he collected a neat pass from Graham Dorrans on the edge of the area, while Michael Smith was in the right place at the right time to clear a Bruno Alves header off the line.

With just four minutes remaining of the first half, keeper Jack Hamilton produced a terrific low stop after Miller brought down a Wallace cross and unleashed a powerful shot from just a few yards out.

Rangers were in control of the ball from the off after the break as Caixinha added Niko Kranjcar to his attack in place of Windass. But the opening goal continued to evade the Light Blues.

Esma Goncalves should have done better as he broke free of Fabio Cardoso and a sigh of relief was followed by groans of frustration around Ibrox.

There was little for either set of supporters to get excited about as the clock ticked down and the scoreboards remained untroubled.

Caixinha added Hardie to the mix as he replaced Dorrans in a bid to spark his side into life heading into the closing stages.

After Hamilton saved easily from Kranjcar, Morelos fired a low drive right across the Jambos box but there were no takers in blue.

The points were there to be snatched by either side and Hardie could have made himself the hero with his first sight of goal.

Wes Foderingham’s early clearance found Daniel Candeias and the Portuguese burst clear after a neat touch. He picked out Hardie with a cross but the striker’s effort was deflected as he tried to curl one into the top corner.

Rangers piled forward in the closing minutes but there was no late winner for Caixinha’s side as Hearts held on for a battling point.