Hat-trick hero Chermiti fires Rangers past Hearts
Rangers came from behind twice to move within two points of Scottish Premiership leader Hearts, as Youssef Chermiti's hat-trick sealed a thrilling 4-2 win at Ibrox Stadium.
The teams played out an entertaining first half with four goals shared between them, but Chermiti proved to be the man of the moment with two strikes after the break.
Hearts hit the front in the 16th minute when Emmanuel Fernandez's sloppy pass ended with Claudio Braga teeing up Marc Leonard, who arrowed a right-footed shot into the top-right corner.
But its lead lasted for just three minutes when Michael Steinwender sliced into his own net after Alexander Schwolow had done brilliantly to repel Chermiti's initial header.
However, Steinwender atoned for his earlier error in the 30th minute with his teasing cross finding Braga, whose outstanding header back across goal looped past Jack Butland.
Rangers responded again six minutes before the break through Chermiti, who bundled his way past Craig Halkett's sliding challenge before finishing at Schwolow's near post.
Rangers led for the first time just before the hour, as Chermiti got in front of his marker to power Andreas Skov Olsen's home with an excellent near-post header.
Chermiti completed his treble on the stroke of full-time, collecting Djeidi Gassama's pass into the area before taking a touch and sealing the win with a ruthless right-footed finish.
