Rangers have reduced their deficit to Celtic and Aberdeen in the Premiership standings after a narrow 1-0 win over Hearts at Ibrox. Cyriel Dessers scored the only goal of the game after six minutes to move into double figures for the campaign.

This was another performance that raised more questions than it answered for Philippe Clement and it would have done little to appease a frustrated fanbase. Here, the Rangers Review looks at the main talking points.

Issues need solved on and off the park

Rangers knew on Saturday evening that the gap to Aberdeen had been extended to 12 points after the Dons were impressive winners over Dundee. Before kick-off here, they knew that Celtic had also opened up a double-digit advantage in the Premiership title race. It was always evident that this one was a must-win for Clement’s side but a glance at the standings only served to reinforce that as they hosted a Hearts outfit that only had rivals Hibernian below them.

That was still case at the final whistle. Neil Critchley will be frustrated at that fact, however, after his side caused Rangers more problems than the Ibrox crowd would have expected. Had Hearts left here with a point, it would not have been an injustice.

Rangers have the international break to solve so many issues on and off the field. The future of Clement will be a topic of conversation once again. The process to appoint a permanent chairman is progressing and is expected to be resolved imminently. The focus will then shift to the search for a chief executive officer and the Annual General Meeting is looming large.

The league table doesn’t lie and the support know for themselves what they have witnessed in recent weeks and months. Rangers simply must be better after the break.

Clement’s side lack style and substance

The difference when Rangers play with pace and precision was evident just six minutes. Jefte and Nedim Bajrami combined on the left, Vaclav Cerny dummied the cross and the ball fell to James Tavernier. His drive on the angle may or may not have been finding the far corner. Dessers made sure it found the back of the net as he converted from six yards to score for the third time in as many matches.

It was a phase of play that Rangers couldn’t replicate for some time. Indeed, their next clear chances didn’t arrive until the half hour mark as Mohamed Diomande fired just wide from the edge of the area and Craig Gordon saved from Cerny on the angle before Bajrami’s strike was deflected over.

Rangers lacked ideas for large swathes. Once again they looked like a side waiting on an individual to produce a moment than a team capable of carving open opposition with patterns and a cohesive approach. It took until the 77th minute for Gordon to be troubled as he saved from Bajrami and then gathered the loose ball. In the closing stages, Neraysho Kasanwirjo struck the woodwork from close range.

A mistake from Bajrami as he failed to find Connor Barron with a straightforward pass summed it up. The pass itself was woeful, but it was also an example of Rangers taking an extra touch when it wasn’t required as Bajrami opted not to find Cerny first and foremost. Too often Clement’s side chose not to cut out the middle man.

Hearts left to rue missed chances

The loss of the opening goal did not put Hearts off their stride but it was mostly possession without purpose. Rangers certainly did not have it all their own way despite their advantage and Critchley would have been frustrated that his side had not tested Jack Butland more.

A couple of promising forays forward ended prematurely from a Hearts perspective, while their set piece situations were largely wasteful. John Souttar was relieved when Butland saved his blushes by denying Kenneth Vargas after a weak pass back.

When Vargas was sent in behind just seconds after the restart, Hearts should have been level. Vargas beat Butland with his effort but couldn’t find the net as the strike came back off the woodwork.

When Beni Baningime saw a shot whistle by the post with 20 minutes remaining, the home crowd was on edge. In the end, Hearts ran out of time and ideas.

Low key outing for the captain

The decision to drop Tavernier was the main talking point before the and one of the main ones after the game on Thursday night. Clement justified the call on that occasion by highlighting the need to manage Tavernier’s minutes. It was no surprise, though, to see the skipper come back into the line-up here. Dujon Sterling dropped to the bench as a result and the other alteration came at centre-back as Leon Balogun returned at the expense of Robin Propper.

Tavernier had a hand in the opening goal after finding himself in that advanced position on the right that he has popped up in so often over his Rangers career. His influence in an attacking sense after that was muted in the first period He was, though, caught out on occasion in his own half as Hearts threatened.

After the break, two efforts in a few minutes were blocked at source. The groans that followed a misplaced pass were followed by claps as he made amends for his error tracking back.

His afternoon came to an end after 68 minutes as Kasanwirjo went to right-back. At the same time, Sterling replaced Barron in midfield. It was a call that provoked an angry response from the home crowd as Clement’s decision was roundly booed and jeered. The reaction at the end was not overwhelmingly positive either.

Clubs pay their respects

Ibrox fell silent in tribute and memory on Remembrance Sunday. Earlier in the afternoon, Clement had joined interim chairman John Gilligan at the John Greig Statue to lay a wreath on behalf of the club. On Sunday morning, Hearts held their annual service at Haymarket to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

As expected, the silence here was impeccably observed. The message of ‘Lest We Forget’ adorned the rear section of the Sandy Jardine Stand was accompanied by poppies as Rangers – who produced a commemorative matchday programme - once again showed a touch of class.

Members of the Armed Forces were also present for the fixture between two clubs who always conduct themselves in the right manner at this time of year and applause greeted the six who placed a poppy on the centre circle. In the Copland Stand, the Union Bears displayed a message which read: ‘With honour and pride’.