Brought on from the bench, Badreddine Bouanani delivered his first assist for Rangers, allowing his side to equalise at 2-2 in the 89th minute on the pitch at Hearts of Midlothian.
Second in the Scottish Premiership behind Celtic, Rangers travelled to third-placed Hearts of Midlothian with the chance to close to within a point of their great rivals. Trailing 2-1 to the hosts, they found the solution on their bench, in the shape of Badreddine Bouanani, who came on during the match, according to DZfoot.
In the 89th minute, the 21-year-old Algerian picked out the head of South African defender Olwethu Makhanya from a free-kick for the 2-2 equaliser. A first assist in a Rangers shirt for the former Nice player, after seven matches with his new club.
An unfavourable script
A substitute at kick-off, Bouanani watched his team-mates open the scoring early in the match before being pegged back. Rangers found themselves 2-1 down to Hearts of Midlothian, according to DZfoot.
Introduced before the hour mark, the Algeria international piled up shooting attempts in vain. He finally changed tack in the closing moments, turning provider from a set piece to earn his team the equaliser.
A first assist after seven matches
That delivery was Bouanani’s first with Rangers, after seven matches played with his new club. Two weeks ago, the player had already scored against Dundee, according to DZfoot.
At 21, he has therefore been decisive twice, first as a scorer against Dundee, then as a provider at Hearts.
Celtic in their sights
Because the stakes of this trip were high: Rangers could have closed to within a point of Celtic, the league leaders. At the third-placed side, they ultimately snatched an equaliser thanks to their late substitute.
Rangers’ next Scottish Premiership matches have not yet been given a confirmed date.