Rangers crush Hearts

The clash at Tynecastle was supposed to represent one of Rangers' toughest tests of the campaign so far.

Instead, Hearts found themselves ripped apart by a rampant Rangers side, who sent out a clear message to rivals Celtic by maintaining their four-point advantage at the summit of the SPL in emphatic style.

Only superb goalkeeping prevented Rangers from taking the lead with their first real chance of the match.

Cristian Dailly connected with Barry Ferguson's corner at the back post and nodded to Steven Naismith, whose point-blank header from six yards was kept out by an impressive reflex save from Steve Banks.

Naismith then tried his luck with a long-range effort that he blasted well over the crossbar, before Darcheville claimed the opener after 25 minutes.

Ferguson collected a neat pass from Steve Davis before sweeping the ball out to Darcheville as he cut inside from the left and the striker did well to squeeze the shot inside the far post from a tight angle.

Darcheville again found the back of the net two minutes before the break. Ferguson's corner was knocked back across goal by a Carlos Cuellar header, with Naismith having a swipe before the ball fell to Darcheville and his mis-kicked shot found the back of the net from a few yards.

Half-time substitute Novo was on the park for seven minutes when he helped himself to a goal of his own. Charlie Adam set up the shot with a low ball across goal and all that was required from the tiny striker was to bundle home from close range.

The same two players combined again to supply Rangers with their fourth goal with 69 minutes gone. Adam was again the provider and this time Novo produced a cheeky back-heel finish from six yards.