Hackett Blasts ‘Myth’ in Ibrox Firestorm, Early Drama Fuels Rangers’ Epic Comeback!
In a pulsating Scottish Premiership showdown at Ibrox on February 15, 2026, Rangers delivered a statement victory over league leaders Hearts, winning 4-2 in a match packed with goals, resilience, and a touch of early controversy. Youssef Chermiti’s stunning hat-trick proved the difference, propelling Rangers to within just two points of the top spot and reigniting the title race.
The drama began almost immediately. Just three minutes in, Hearts’ new signing Eduardo Ageu, on his first start for the club, lunged feet-first into a challenge on Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin. The tackle was late and reckless, catching Raskin high and sparking immediate debate among fans and pundits. Referee [official name if known, but from reports] issued only a yellow card, allowing play to continue. While some argued the early timing in such a high-stakes game might have influenced leniency, former FIFA-listed referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett was having none of it.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News post-match, Hackett dissected the incident: “He has gone in feet first but low down, this in my opinion, should have been sanctioned with a yellow card for the reckless challenge. Time does not matter, that’s a myth, it is reckless and hence the yellow card.”
Hackett’s blunt dismissal of the “early game excuse” as a myth added fuel to the fire. The veteran official, known for his no-nonsense takes on refereeing decisions across British football, emphasized that the laws of the game don’t bend for context or timing recklessness is recklessness, period. His comments quickly spread across social media and fan forums, with Rangers supporters praising his clarity while others debated whether a red card would have altered the game’s flow.
Yet, if the early flashpoint set a tense tone, it seemed to galvanize Rangers rather than derail them. Hearts struck first through Marc Leonard around the 16th minute, capitalizing on a swift counter. Rangers responded swiftly, equalizing before half-time thanks to a fortunate rebound that fell to Chermiti after a blocked shot. Claudio Braga restored Hearts’ lead with a fine header on the half-hour, making it 2-1 at the break in what was already an end-to-end thriller.
The second half belonged to Chermiti. The Portuguese forward, who has faced criticism since his big-money move but has a knack for delivering in big moments (including a recent double against Celtic), rose highest to meet a cross and head Rangers level again. Then, in the 57th minute, he powered home a header at the near post to give Rangers their first lead of the game. The Ibrox faithful erupted as the momentum swung decisively.
Chermiti sealed his hat-trick and the points in injury time, latching onto a precise pass on the break and finishing clinically with his right foot. It was a ruthless strike that wrapped up a comeback from 2-0 down in terms of deficits overcome, showcasing Rangers’ character under pressure.
Manager Danny Rohl, in post-match comments, hailed the squad’s belief: “We showed fight, quality, and never gave up. Chermiti was outstanding his goals change everything in this race.” Chermiti himself, in a refreshingly straightforward RangersTV interview, kept it real: focused on the team’s resilience and the importance of chipping away at Hearts’ lead, with fans dubbing his response one of the “coldest” yet honest post-match reactions.
The result is seismic. Hearts, surprise frontrunners this season, now lead by only two points, while Rangers have momentum on their side with games in hand and a resurgent striker leading the charge. Celtic lurk with their own fixture to play, but this win narrows the gap and shifts pressure back onto the Edinburgh side.
Hackett’s intervention on the early “myth” ensured the tackle remained a talking point, but ultimately, it was Chermiti’s magic and Rangers’ never-say-die spirit that stole the headlines. In a league where every decision and every goal counts, this Ibrox firestorm has blown the title race wide open.
