London Hearts Supporters Club

Report Index--> 1997-98--> All for 19970726
<-Page <-Team Sat 26 Jul 1997 Hearts 3 Rangers 2 Team-> Page->
<-Srce <-Type Sporting Life ------ Report Type-> Srce->
Jim Jefferies <-auth None auth-> Martin Clark
[P Gascoigne 5] ;[S Stensaas 74]
1 of 002 Jim Hamilton 27 ;Jim Hamilton 57 ;Jim Hamilton 75 F H


Hearts 3 Rangers 2


Hat-trick hero Jim Hamilton made sure Dave McPherson enjoyed his big day with a treble to sink the superstars of Rangers.

Over 9,000 fans packed into Tynecastle for McPherson's testimonial and were treated to five goals in a competitive match.

McPherson, who has had two spells with both clubs, will pick up around £100,000 from the match and received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.

It took just five minutes for Rangers to go into the lead with a strike of individual brilliance from Paul Gascoigne.

The England ace attacked the Hearts defence and tried to work a one-two with Erik Bo Andersen at the edge of the penalty area.

The Dane's return was poor but Gazza controlled it on his chest before sending a sublime chip over young keeper Roddy McKenzie and into the net.

Unfortunately that was the last action the star of the show saw as McPherson hobbled out with a back injury to be replaced by Alan McManus.

The Ibrox aces were threatening to run riot and Italian teenager Rino Gattuso and Bo Andersen both went close.

But Hearts drew level in the 27th minute when Hamilton collected Paul Ritchie's long ball to carefully slip a shot past Theo Snelders.

And the Tynecastle side went ahead in the 58th minute when John Robertson cracked over a low cross which Hamilton turned in for his second.

Rangers hit back in the 74th minute, but the goal was a disaster for Hearts substitute keeper Miles Hogarth who allowed the header from Norwegian defender Staale Stensaas to squirm under his body.

However, Hamilton came to the rescue just 60 seconds later when he fired home a Stephen Frail cross to complete his hat-trick.

And the fans were treated to an appearance from Scot rugby legend Gavin Hastings who played for the last few minutes.



Taken from sportinglife.com


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