Hearts will take no consolation whatsoever from the fact their progress to the point of serious entity in a Scottish title race was demonstrated by the atmosphere here. The scale of celebration which met Rangers’ victory decreed they had not defeated an also-ran. Danny Röhl, the Rangers manager, went cavorting down the touchline as his team scored a fourth.

This proved the game of the season in Scotland. A genuine thriller. It was also one Rangers dare not lose; that they took all three points properly fuels hopes of snatching the league from Celtic’s grasp. An inspired second half from Rangers was sufficient as their visitors wilted.