However, the Jambos were wasteful and missed their chances, even with Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland playing brilliantly.

Rangers earned two own goals from Jamie McCart to give them an unjustified three points at Tynecastle, but Hearts ultimately lost 3-1.

Neil Critchley’s team, who presently sit ninth and are only three points outside the relegation play-off zone, had the opportunity to move into the Premiership’s top six with the win.

Even though Hearts lost and fell farther down the table, Critchley was happy with the attacking pressure they applied to Rangers.

Fielding Lawrence Shankland, James Wilson, and Elton Kabangu from the beginning was a major factor in that.

In a diamond midfield, Shankland was positioned at the tip, with Wilson, 17, and Kabangu, a striker on loan, more advanced.

Critchley on playing three Hearts strikers vs Rangers

Despite the fact that none of the three were able to score, Critchley believes this setup was generally successful.

According to the Hearts manager, who spoke to the Edinburgh News, “Yes, we felt that more chances were created with three strikers.” Even when we’re at home, we always want to square up against others and try to outplay them.

We thought that by wearing the three forwards, we demonstrated our intention. We hoped to win the game against Rangers and were upbeat.

Hearts attacking stats vs Rangers

“We thought it was the ideal chance to press them, even though we know it will be challenging against a strong squad with talented players.

It also provides us with a fantastic opportunity to use numbers at the top of the field to counterattack. It seems to work, save from the final bit.

Does Hearts diamond formation have sustained future?

• In order to increase breadth, Critchley has primarily switched to a 4-2-3-1 configuration. Although he made this change on Sunday, he doesn’t frequently change formations and styles.

  What is the future frequency of the 4-1-2-1-2 configuration for Hearts supporters? “With the players we have in the squad now, I just think we have a bit more flexibility all over the pitch,” Critchley stated.

For Sunday’s game, we thought it was the appropriate course of action. For our game the following week, that does not necessarily guarantee that will remain the same.

We simply thought that was the best strategy to play the game after looking at Rangers, and I thought it worked. Every game is unique, though, and we can now adjust to the participants’ needs.

“We must adapt in order to try to give ourselves an advantage in every game we play.