RANGERS have moved to within six points of Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the Premiership after a 2-0 win over Hearts.

Jamie Murphy and Russell Martin netted their first goals at Ibrox to clinch a deserved victory for Graeme Murty’s side.

The Light Blues will now watch on as Celtic and Aberdeen go head-to-head at Pittodrie on Sunday in a match that will have significant consequences in the top flight.

Boss Murty stuck with the same starting line-up from the win over Hamilton last time out but there was a return to the squad for defender Bruno Alves.

Rangers have been notoriously slow starters this season and they could ill-afford to add another game to that unwanted list here.

Greg Docherty had their first attempt after six minutes but his shot was blocked inadvertently by Josh Windass.

After Sean Goss forced keeper Jon McLaughlin to make a smart save, Docherty had another crack from the edge of the area. McLaughlin got down well to deny him his first Gers goal and Alfredo Morelos couldn’t convert the rebound from a tight angle.

Murty would have been satisfied with the opening quarter of an hour but Rangers remain unconvincing at the back and Kyle Lafferty almost capitalised on his return to Ibrox.

The Northern Irishman beat David Bates with ease and his curling strike was heading for the top corner until Wes Foderingham got just enough of a touch on it to divert the ball for a corner. It was scrambled clear, but only just.

There was another scare for Rangers when John Souttar’s header caused more panic in the six yard area, while Foderingham was again called into action to block a decent effort from Ross Callachan.

Rangers had to regain their early momentum and they could have been ahead when Declan John picked out Morelos at the back post. The Colombian has work to do on his heading ability and this was another chance gone as he failed to test McLaughlin.

It was Murphy that was the Light Blues’ most potent attacking threat and he would have been disappointed not to do better when he burst into the area and pulled a shot wide of the far post.

He would have his first Ibrox goal soon enough, though. Docherty split the Hearts defence with a terrific through ball and Murphy did the rest.

He beat two defenders and then rounded McLaughlin as the home crowd called for him to shoot. The winger kept his cool and then slotted the ball into the net as Murty’s side made the breakthrough just four minutes before the break.

Rangers picked up where they left off after the interval and they could have had the points secured before the hour mark as a handful of chances went unconverted.

Windass scooped an effort over the bar from inside the area after Morelos picked him out from the left, while the Colombian was denied by McLaughlin after the keeper made another decent stop from the impressive Docherty.

The best chance fell to Windass just seconds later. A Hearts corner came to nothing and Rangers played a quick free-kick as Candeias broke clear.

The Portuguese unselfishly squared the ball rather than shooting himself but McLaughlin was equal to Windass’ strike as a low-key afternoon for the Englishman continued.

McLaughlin was keeping Hearts in the game and Craig Levein’s side would have fancied their chances heading into the closing stages. Rangers needed the second goal.

Morelos was denied by McLaughlin once again before Windass fired wide of target from inside the area. The groan around the ground wasn’t just for the miss as nerves began to set in.

It was then time for Steven Naismith to make his return to Ibrox. The former Gers forward had been the subject of a few heckles and boos as he warmed up and the break and during the second half and his welcome wasn’t exactly a warm one with 18 minutes remaining.

Murty then made his first switch. It could have been done earlier to give Rangers some added impetus and it was Morelos that made way as Jason Cummings entered the action.

The job was far from done for Rangers and Naismith almost scored a dramatic equaliser as he charged down a clearance from Martin. Thankfully for the Gers, the rebound didn’t end up in Foderingham’s net.

The keeper’s opposite number was still being kept busy as he parried away a Windass free-kick but he could do nothing to prevent Rangers finally doubling their lead.

A Candeias cross from the right evaded everyone and Martin was the unlucky hero as he prodded the ball home at the back post to clinch the win.