When Romanov accused his players of lacking heart before this match, part of his intention would have been to provoke the kind of reaction that was glaringly evident at Tynecastle in this match. This kind of impassioned "we'll show him" approach is something that Rangers simply couldn't live with.

Hearts' overpowering of the previously unbeaten Glasgow side resulted in a victory which, if slightly unexpected, had a rousing effect on all concerned. It was also one in the eye for the club owner, who had threatened to replace under-performing first-team members with under-19 players.

The established players' response was to deliver an exhilarating performance that had been lurking beneath the surface all season. However, this win wasn't just about aggression and desire, it was about playing controlled football intertwined with the sort of movement and industry not evident in a Hearts team for some time.

Following goals by Andy Driver, Ibrahim Tall, Michael Stewart and Kestutis Ivaskevicius, Walter Smith could have few complaints about his team's first defeat of the 2007/08 season.

"We knew that was in them. Not just the passion side of it but the actual football we produced," said Stephen Frail, then Hearts' assistant coach. "I thought some of the football we played was terrific."

Driver's scintillating opener preceded Tall's deflected effort which looped over Allan McGregor and into the Rangers net. Smith re-organised his team during the interval after starting with Barry Ferguson and Jean-Claude Darcheville in reserve, and the Scotland midfielder was fouled by Robbie Neilson to allow Daniel Cousin to score from the penalty spot. However, if the visitors' resilience was commendable, Hearts' dogged insistence on maximising their lead was astonishing. Within 20 minutes they were basking in the security of a 4-1 advantage after Stewart's penalty and Ivaskevicius' carefully-constructed fourth.

In between, tensions boiled over following an altercation between Robbie Neilson and DaMarcus Beasley which saw a Hearts player accused of cheating for the second time in a week. Neilson and Beasley exchanged verbals and the full-back was tripped, albeit accidentally, as he attempted to jog clear of the confrontation in the Rangers penalty area.

Saulius Mikoliunas' antics at Hampden Park had dominated discussions before the match, which doubtless influenced Ally McCoist's thoughts as he accused Neilson of diving in order to further incriminate Beasley.

Frail, though, was rightly having none of it and was seen mouthing, "Don't give us any of that cheating sh***," in McCoist's direction.

Afterwards, he was a touch more diplomatic. "Handbags," he said of the incident.

"I don't think it would be a great fight. These things happen on the touchline in the heat of the moment. Some things were said and it's forgotten about."

Smith was frustrated by his defenders' ineptitude at Tynecastle, with Carlos Cuellar, now of Aston Villa, enduring his worst display since arriving in Scotland.

Hearts: Banks, Neilson, Tall, Berra, Wallace, Kingston, Zaliukas (Palazuelos 72 ) Stewart, Driver (Ivaskevicius 49 ) Ksanavicius, Nade (Elliot 76)

Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Papac, Whittaker, Beasley, Thomson, Faye (Darcheville 46 ) Boyd (Ferguson 46 ) Cousin (Novo 77)