Anyone who doubted Hearts’ ability to sustain a title challenge must surely be coming round to the idea now.
It is little wonder there were sceptics considering they were languishing at the bottom of the table this time last year.
However, they are a different animal since McInnes became head coach this summer and benefited from a transfer window guided by Tony Bloom’s analytics team.
Having also beaten Celtic twice, Hearts have become the first side to win four consecutive top-flight meetings with the Glasgow duo since Dundee in 1985.
Win the derby against Hibernian at Easter Road next weekend and they face a stretch of winnable fixtures before they get a chance to record a fifth consecutive victory over the Old Firm, when Celtic visit at the end of January.
Missing the defensive solidity of the injured Craig Halkett, Hearts made a shaky start, but Rangers were made to rue early misses and their own lack of depth at the back.
With Nassir Djiga at the Africa Cup of Nations, Rohl went with a back three containing two players more recognised as full-backs, but it was the normally reliable Butland who was Rangers’ biggest villain.
A wayward clearance for Hearts’ first goal and poor positioning for the second were crucial in a defeat that leaves Rangers’ own title chances looking increasingly slim.
Rohl has steadied the ship since Hearts’ last win over Rangers went some way to ending Russell Martin’s reign as head coach, but he needs a significant January transfer window if they are to even challenge for second, never mind the title.
