Stalemate marks laboured start to Gers' campaign
Rangers made a disappointing start to the new Scottish Premiership campaign with a 0-0 against Hearts at Tynecastle.
This result rather compounded a lacklustre pre-season, despite manager Philippe Clement signing a contract extension last week.
Hearts made a quick start, with debutant James Penrice going close as he burst into the box and forced Gers goalkeeper Jack Butland into a fine stop at his near post.
The hosts continued piling on the pressure as Yan Dhanda struck the crossbar with a stylish effort.
Rangers looked more assured after the break with Cyriel Dessers heading against the corner of the crossbar and post early on after a delicious left-footed cross from Tom Lawrence, who then went close himself with a dipping volley from outside the box, which Zander Clark had to acrobatically save.
Laurence Shankland drove into the area with twenty minutes to go, but he was thwarted by an onrushing Butland, but Rangers could not make any inroads going the other way.
Cyriel Dessers contributed 0.65 of Rangers' 0.83 xG, having the most shots for the away side with four, as well as having the joint most touches in the opposition box of any player with seven, alongside Hearts' Shankland.
However, it was a meek attacking display overall from Rangers, which had nine shots to Hearts 18, with the home team creating 1.28 xG.
It is now unbeaten in 12 home league games, which matches its best Scottish Premiership run since 17 November to April 2018.
The team that beat Hearts in the league most recently at Tynecastle was Rangers, in December last year.
There was also a 0-0 draw as Ross County travelled to Motherwell to open its campaign.
Rangers' fierce rival Celtic kicks off its 2024-2025 campaign against Kilmarnock on Monday (AEST).
