Hearts and Rangers battled out a goalless draw at Tynecastle to kick off the 2024/25 William Hill Scottish Premiership season. It’s a result that won’t please either team as they failed to get off to the winning start they craved in the new campaign but it was probably deserved over the piece.

Steven Naismith’s Jambos dominated in the early part of the game in Gorgie as the visitors struggled to find any kind of rhythm. But the Jambos couldn’t make the lion’s share of possession count as they failed to break the deadlock.

Philippe Clement watched his side grow more into the game as the first half wore on and after the restart looked more likely to score. Both Zander Clark and opposite number Jack Butland pulled off fine saves at various points in the game as they had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Hearts Dominate Early Stages

A 0-0 stalemate isn't the perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season that the punters would have been dreaming of. But there was no shortage of thrills and spills as Hearts and Rangers pushed each other all the way at Tynecastle in an end-to-end encounter. The final few minutes were all a bit scrappy and Nick Walsh brings it to an end with a point each.

Hearts are going all out with a triple change. Gerard Taylor gets a standing ovation after a great display with Daniel Oyegoke on for him. Yutaro Oda and Malachi Boateng are also on with the latter having only signed this morning. Kenneth Varas and Jorge Grant also go off.

Rangers Struggle to Find Rhythm

Who wants it? We've got seven minutes left and the clock is ticking. Surely Danilo for Cyriel Dessers would be the sub for Rangers? But no it's Kieran Dowell for Connor Barron, who it has to be said has been impressive for the Light Blues.

Alan Forrest is on for Barrie McKay just moments after James Tavernier was lucky not to score an own goal as the Rangers captain scooped the ball over the crossbar from close range. What a let off.

Both Teams Have Chances

It was all a bit messy in the Gers box there as Jack Butland came out to make a save but the goalkeeper and Leon Balogun got in the way of each other and the ball broke. In the end Connor Barron made a good block from Blair Spittal.

So close from Lawrence Shankland there whose shot almost squirmed under Jack Butland but it just managed to stay out. Leon Balogun was lucky he didn't bring the Scotland striker down as he worked his way into the box. You sense a goal is coming here. But which way?

Key Moments

Now it's Steven Naismith's turn to look to his bench. Blair Spittal is the one to get the shout and he replaces Yan Dhanda.

Zander Clark is called into action to brilliantly tip over a Tom Lawrence effort after great technique from the former Derby County man to control a free kick before sending a volley that was heading for the top corner.

It's a double switch for Gers on the hour with Leon Balogun on for Ben Davis and Vaclav Cerny, on loan from Wolfsburg, is handed his debut on for Scott Wright.

Rangers are looking more threatening at the start of this half and forced a succession of corners but ultimately they came to nothing. Cammy Devlin went down at the other end but it was a weak penalty shout after a challenge - if you can call it that - from Mohamed Diomande. The Aussie was looking for it. Moments later it was the same as Kenneth Vargas went down under Ben Davies challenge but the Englishman looked to have won the ball fairly.

Oscar Cortes went down on the stroke of half time after a challenge from Gerald Taylor and the Rangers winger was down again at the start of the second half and this time the Colombian can't continue. Rabbi Matondo is on for him.

We're back underway in Gorgie. Who will grab the first Premiership goal of the new season?

All square at the break and the home side were the more dominant team in the early stages but Rangers did grow into the game as the half wore on. But Philippe Clement's men will have to show much more to get three points here - and for the coming season.

Rangers threaten again and it's Cyriel Dessers again who has the final effort saved by Zander Clark. It was a good sweeping move with Connor Barron at the heart of it - the former Aberdeen man has become the best player for the visitors as the first has gone on - and he fed Ridvan Yilmaz who picked out Dessers but shot was saved.

Rangers survive a penalty claim there as Yan Dhanda's cross into the box appeared to strike Connor Barron. Cammy Devlin was chasing Nick Walsh and the home fans were screaming for a spot kick but the referee motioned to say it had been checked and there was no penalty.

Rangers are getting a bit more joy in the game now in terms of possession. Connor Barron is settling into the match and the aforementioned Oscar Cortes looking lively. But having said that, Barrie McKay wasn't far away with a swirling effort just over Jack Butland's crossbar.

Hearts fans chant "You're just a s***e Lawrence Shankland!" at Cyriel Dessers after the Nigeria international sends an effort over the crossbar. That came after a lovely pick out from Mohamed Diomande. Dessers brought it under control but his attempted lob sailed over.

It's the first real effort of the game from Rangers and so close to silencing the crowd. Connor Barron had the shot from distance and Zander Clark got a fingertip to turn it round the post.

Post-Match Analysis

While Connor Barron is the only debutant for Rangers, Oscar Cortes did make his move to Ibrox permanent after a loan spell last season. He was crocked soon after joining but he is probably the brightest spark for the visitors. He looks dangerous every time he gets on the ball.

It's frantic stuff and the hosts are certianly in the ascendency as Yan Dhanda's effort smacks the crossbar with Jack Butland beaten all ends up. The Gers keeper was left flat-footed and saved by the woodwork. The Englishman is a relieved man. The visitors are rocking.

Nick Walsh penalises Gerald Taylor for bundling over Oscar Cortes in the middle of the park and Steven. Naismith is furious. I think he's making the point that Tom Lawrence did the same moments earlier with James Penrice and no foul was given.

Hearts are looking the more threatening in these opening stages. Jack Butland is again forced into action, this time to tip away an effort from James Penrice. Rangers need to raise it a bit, although they have looked fairely threatening on the counter.

Barrie McKay showed great determination to win a challenge there and Steven Naismith was absolutely roaring with delight, both fists clenched. You can tell the approach he wants today. He is dressed more for a Saturday night out - smart beige jumper, black trousers and white trainers - but he's very animated in the technical area.

Philippe Clement stands opposite, a bit clamer but trying to get his players going. The home side look a little more up for it at this stage.

You can feel the anticipation whenever Lawrence Shankland gets on the ball. It almost seems like fate that he'll find the net with so much speculation surrounding him and the striker is the first to have an effort on goal but it's straight at Jack Butland.

Nick Walsh blows his whistle and it's Cammy Devlin who gets the 2024/25 season underway. Tynecastle is rocking.

Pre-Match Analysis

Pundit Michael Stewart believes his criticism of Todd Cantwell was fully justified, despite using a swear word to describe a hypothetical scenario that the wantaway Rangers star could cause in the dressing room.

BBC Sportsound host Kenny MacIntyre moved to apologise for the comment during the half-time interval at Tynecastle after it was picked up on social media users.

Philippe Clement insists a draw was a fair result and was desperate to get his players in at the break after a poor opening 45 minutes.

"I was not satisfied with the first half, the first half hour for sure. We lacked intensity in the duels. There were a lot of long balls where we didn’t win the first duel, also not the second duel, also not the third duel. Because of that we came under pressure.

With the ball, we were not calm enough, not brave enough to do the right things and be in the right positions like we want. So it was really important to have those 15 minutes during half-time to put things straight, show them where we were going wrong and change that.

It changed a lot in the second half. We took control of the game and played better football. We had good chances also and we dominated the second half.

I expect that to happen during the game, and that’s why we need experience on the pitch to guide things. Those are things to work on for the future.

You always need to see whether it was the correct result or not. I think it was a fair result today. The first half was for Hearts, the second half was for us.

We had good chances to finish off the game. I prefer to be decisive in the second half because then the other team cannot come back. We were really close with Cyriel’s header, against the crossbar and the post - that doesn’t happen that much. And we had good offensive actions, with new players coming into the team and recognising the spaces better.

It’s a progression in that way, and we need to say that it was a fair point that we got. Of course I wanted to get the three points like all the players, but we need to look forward now and not be sticking in results all the time.

Tuesday is again a massive game, an important game against a team who could rest this weekend to be fresh on Tuesday. We need to put all our focus on that."

Connor Barron insists he had no fears that he might concede a spot kick when the ball struck his arm and, despite an impressive perforamnce on his debut, told Sky Sports he couldn't be satisifed given Rnagers didn't head down the M8 with all three points.

"I was confident (it wouldn’t be a penalty). My arms were right by my side but you never know what can happen. It goes through your head a little bit but I knew I was safe. We didn’t get the three points so it wasn’t the perfect day for me. The result wasn't exactly what we wanted to go out and do today but I think there were good bits in there that we can look at going forward and bits we can get better at. It’s going to be a long season so it’s about us picking ourselves up after games like today and making sure we correct things.

We had chances to win the game but of course they had chances it’s well but it’s about being more ruthless in both boxes. I enjoyed (the midfield battle) but I’m not happy because we didn’t get the result we wanted. I’ve settled in really quickly. The understanding is there - it’s just about making sure we’re all on the same page when the subs are coming on as well and making sure we’re doing the same things. You could see that at times today, there was chances at the end and it’s about us putting them away and being more clinical."

Hearts boss Steven Naismith believes the VAR team made the correct call in not awarding his team a spot kick in the first half for a handball by Connor Barron.

The ball did strike the Rangers midfielder on the arm from Yan Dhanda's cross, but the on-field referee Nick Walsh was not instructed by VAR official Andrew Dallas to consult the monitor, with Barron's hand movement deemed to be natural.

Naismith said:

"I don't think it's a penalty. Willie [Collum], the league and the SFA have been conscious to try and get a bit more normality & realism in the game. We all need to help.

It will look as if his arm is away from his body but I think with the movement he has, his arm naturall goes there.

There are going to be bad decisions this season but I think we need to work as a collective to try and make it better."

Teams' Starting Lineups

Rangers' likely starting lineup for the season opener is: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun and Jefte; Diomande, Barron, Cerny, Lawrence and Cortes; Dessers.

Hearts' likely starting lineup for the season opener is: Clark, Taylor, Rowles, Kinglsely and Penrice; Devlin, Spittal, Oda, Dhanda and McKay; Shankland.

Hearts will have Stephen Kinglsey back for this match after an ankle injury, but will be without Nieuwnhof and Baningime, who are out injured. Rangers will be without Sterling, who is injured, and Cantwell, who is leaving the club.

Rangers finished the season with 75 points in the Scottish Premiership, three behind Rangers and 13 above Hearts. And that defined the teams that qualified for the title rounds. Rangers then finished the season in second place, with 85 points, eight behind Celtic, while Hearts came in just behind, with 68, 12 ahead of Kilmarnock.

Rangers, in turn, lost three and drew one in their pre-season friendlies. On the 13th, against Ajax, they lost 2-1. On Saturday (20), they lost 2-0 to Manchester United. On Wednesday (24), they lost 2-1 again to Birmingham. And on Saturday (27), they drew 4-4 with Union Berlin.

Hearts played three friendlies to prepare for the season. On the 13th, against Leyton Orient, they lost 2-1. On the 17th, they lost 5-1 to Tottenham, and on Saturday (27), they lost 3-0 to Fleetwood.

Pre-Match Build-Up

My name is Victor Cunha and I’ll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, roster updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.

The big day is here as the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season gets underway in the capital and it's a cracker to kick off.

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"It's been a really good week for me, I've had a few training sessions with the lads and they've all made me feel very welcome and comfortable from day one. My strongest position is right back in the formation we play. I'm left-footed but I like to create chances, score goals and make assists. That's what I try to do and I hope that doesn't change. I'm feeling really good - this week has been tough but good. After the Euros I had a break but I couldn't wait to come here and start training. I can't wait to get on the pitch and be useful for the club. I want to make an impact on the team and I need to show that on the pitch, that's the most important thing. I've spoken to Danilo, I've known him for a while now as we played together in Holland. We already have a connection and we'll try to do that again here to be able to help the team. I knew the club was big, you always want to play for big clubs. When I spoke to the people at the club they told me that the club's vision and desire to achieve things fit perfectly with what I was looking for. It wasn't a difficult decision when both sides want to do something, it makes things easier. You could compare Rangers to Ajax in terms of expectations, pressure and size of the fan base. I really wanted to have that experience again, so this is the perfect opportunity. I'm a person who has high expectations and demands a lot of myself. I have no problem with people expecting things from me."