Chermiti bags a hat-trick as Rangers close the gap to Hearts | OneFootball

Rangers had to fight back twice to defeat league leaders Hearts and set up a thrilling end to the Scottish Premiership season.

The visitors had taken the lead in the 16th minute through Marc Leonard after Rangers were caught out trying to play out from the back with Cláudio Braga eventually setting up his teammate to finish.

That lead lasted just three minutes through when Michael Steinwender, an early substitute for Oisin McEntee, attempted to clear the ball just inches from his own goal. The Austrian didn't get the contact he wanted though and instead shanked it into the roof of his own net.

Hearts' lead was restored on the half hour mark after a quick attack. Steinwender, making up for his own goal, sent in a cross the right that Braga did really well to head in as he outmuscled his marker.

The two sides went into the break. Youssef Chermiti had just been on the receiving end of a few bruising challenges but slipped into the box and saw his first effort blocked by Craig Halkett. Fortunately for the striker the ball sat nicely for him to finish at the second asking.

Danny Röhl's side were certainly the better of the two in the second half and took the lead for the first time in the game in the 57th minute. Skov Olsen sent in a cross from the right that Chermiti rose and headed in at the near post to make it 3-2.

Chermiti then completed his hat-trick and wrapped up the game in the final minute of the match as Rangers hit Hearts on the break.

That result now means Hearts lead at the top is cut down to two points with Rangers in second, a point ahead of Celtic.