Jamie McCart’s own-goal double and Butland saves help Rangers past Hearts

The Hearts defender Jamie McCart scored two own goals to help Rangers earn a much-needed 3-1 Scottish Premiership win at Tynecastle. Pressure on the Rangers manager, Philippe Clement, had intensified following the dismal Scottish Cup home defeat to Championship side Queen’s Park last Sunday, but his side got a break in the 20th minute when defender McCart could do little about putting the ball into his own net from Ianis Hagi’s cross.

That goal came largely against the run of play in the first half, as Jack Butland kept the hosts at bay with a string of saves, denying the Jambos striker Elton Kabangu on three occasions. The Austrian defender Michael Steinwender scored his first Hearts goal on his home debut to equalise, heading in from a corner in the 49th minute. The Czech winger Vaclav Cerny restored the visitors’ lead in the 61st minute before the unfortunate McCart, who signed from Rotherham at the start of January, put into his own net again 12 minutes later.

Victory cuts Celtic’s lead over Rangers at the top of the league back to 13 points. Hearts are in eighth place in the table after suffering their first defeat in nine matches, although they will feel the outcome could have been so different without Butland. Hearts enjoyed a let-off in the second minute when Harry Souttar drove a cross from Hagi past keeper Craig Gordon only to see the offside flag raised. The hosts almost took the lead in the 17th minute when Kabangu, on loan from Belgian club Union St Gilloise, shot from 14 yards but Butland made a crucial save.

Moments later, Hagi collected a pass from Cerny down the left and drilled in a cross which was tipped by Gordon on to the helpless McCart, who turned the ball into his own net. Hearts tried to hit straight back but Butland twice denied Kabangu, then tipped over a dipping volley from Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland. Gordon saved another drive from Raskin just before the break and then had to react quickly to prevent McCart scoring another own goal from a Hamza Igamane header. The defender also had a chance to score at the right end for Neil Critchley’s side, but headed over the bar from a corner.

Hearts were level from a set-piece soon after the break, James Penrice floating his corner to Steinwender who glanced his header past Butland. Kabangu then hesitated when presented with an opportunity at the back post, before Cerny curled a shot inches wide of the post at the other end. Cerny made no mistake when Igamane’s drive came off Adam Forrester and into his path, dispatching the ball past Gordon – with the home fans still complaining about a penalty appeal ignored seconds earlier when Gers defender Nsiala clashed with James Wilson inside the box.

Sign up to Football Daily. Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football. after newsletter promotion. Celtic eased to a 3-0 win at home to Dundee United. First-half goals from Callum McGregor and Jota, and a late Adam Idah effort, ensured the hosts bounced back from their midweek Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. Aberdeen took advantage of Dundee United’s defeat to go above them into third with a 2-1 win at Dundee, their first league victory since early November. Goals from Kevin Nisbet and Topi Keskinen either side of half-time put the Dons in charge, with Seb Palmer-Houlden pulling one back.

Kilmarnock brushed aside bottom-placed St Johnstone 3-1 thanks to goals from Liam Polworth, Fraser Murray and Bobby Wales, with Graham Carey grabbing a stoppage-time consolation. A Ronan Hale brace and a late Connor Randall goal earned Ross County a 3-0 win at Motherwell. PA Media. As Hearts came back again, Butland made further saves from Steinwender, Kabangu and substitute Sander Kartume before McCart again put the ball into his own net, trying to stop the Gers substitute Cyriel Dessers from latching on to a Hagi pass.