Recalling Osman Sow's winner as Hearts beat Rangers at Ibrox on opening day

The giant, loping stride of Osman Sow took him away from a scrambling Marius Zaliukas. A pinpoint low shot across Cammy Bell into the corner of the Rangers net soon had the Copland Road natives rising in a fit of rage as the striker trotted off to celebrate.

Hearts’ opening league game of the 2014/15 season produced a memorable victory at Ibrox thanks to a stoppage-time winner from their new Swedish forward. It was the ideal way for Sow to introduce himself.

Signed as a free agent the previous month, he enjoyed an instant impact against Rangers with a goal which made the news in his homeland the following day. It was a portent of things to come as Hearts, Rangers and Hibs commenced battle for the Scottish Championship title.

It would eventually be won by the Tynecastle side at a canter. They completed a record-breaking success and returned instantly to Scottish football’s top flight after laying the foundations that August afternoon in Glasgow.

With more attention than ever on the Championship, Hearts and Rangers kicked off in front of a 43,683 crowd. Danny Wilson headed the opening goal from Billy King’s corner on 53 minutes, thus creating something of a surprise given the hosts were favourites.

The Ibrox crowd grew increasingly impatient as the second half progressed, concerned that their team would begin the league campaign with a defeat against one of their biggest title rivals.

They heaved a sigh of relief as the game entered stoppage-time. From Kenny Miller’s headed knockdown, midfielder Nicky Law volleyed the equaliser past Hearts’ substitute goalkeeper Scott Gallacher – who had replaced the injured Neil Alexander on 67 minutes.

At that point it seemed certain that the visitors would need to settle for a point in their first league outing under new head coach Robbie Neilson.

However, having fought their way out of administration just a couple of months beforehand, there was a new-found resilience around the revamped squad. They were determined to go for all three points despite the minimal time left.

From kick-off after Law’s goal, Hearts went up the park and scored again. Sam Nicholson veered inside from the left with the ball and threaded a pass through to Sow. He took a touch and used his long legs to gallop away from Zaliukas.

The Lithuanian slid in at the last second in the hope of blocking his opponent’s shot, but Sow guided the ball away from Bell and into the far corner.

His nonchalant celebration, and the lack of time to retrieve the situation, seemed to irk the Rangers fans behind the goal. Hearts team-mates sprinted across to congratulate him and rejoice in a hugely significant opening-day triumph.

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