Late winners for Hearts and Celtic and the concession of a late leveller by Rangers in their draw at Motherwell made for a potentially pivotal midweek in the Premiership title race. Sunday appears similarly significant.

Celtic had recovered from a 2-0 half-time deficit to triumph 3-2 with an added-time winner at Kilmarnock before Rangers and Hearts took the field.

Hearts would not have planned for the early exit of Oisin McEntee, who left the field after landing awkwardly on his shoulder. Steinwender’s introduction was not easy as he miscued his clearance to draw Rangers level and lost one or two duels with Rommens. However, he showed character with the assist for Braga’s goal.

The goals were not the only big moments. An early foul by Eduardo Ageu on Raskin had the huge home crowd calling for red. Referee Don Robertson showed yellow.

And the whistler was having none of it when Skov Olsen went down in the Hearts box, booking the Rangers winger for simulation.

Alexandros Kyziridis attempted a shot so synonymous with his Hearts performances but Butland was able to hold the stinging effort from the inside left channel.

Rangers appealed for a second-half penalty against Stuart Findlay but the officials were satisfied he had headed on to his hand accidentally.

It was Chermiti’s day in the end. The Portuguese striker had not scored since his double in January’s 3-1 win at Celtic Park and he came up with another crucial brace for Rangers.

Like Steinwender, Chermiti showed resilience, having missed a big chance against Motherwell on Wednesday. He was composed with his first and third goals and opportunistic with his second as he met Skov Olsen’s cross at the near post to wrong foot Hearts.