Champions tamed at Tynecastle

Heart of Midlothian FC continued their perfect start to the Scottish Premier League season with a 1-0 win against reigning champions Rangers FC at Tynecastle for an eighth successive victory - the Edinburgh club's best opening to a league campaign in 91 years.

Early strike
Czech forward Roman Bednar scored an early winner in Saturday's game, placing a close-range header high into the net from Paul Hartley's corner in the 14th minute. Rudi Skacel almost created a second for the home side with a deep cross to the far post, but this time the striker's header flew too high.

Rangers reshuffle
Rangers, meanwhile, lost striker Nacho Novo to injury ahead of Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League visit to FC Internazionale Milano in Group H, but might have levelled before half-time as Dado Pršo's clever flicked header forced Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon to sprawl full-length to turn the ball past the post. Rangers manager Alex McLeish switched to a back four in the 36th minute and the Glasgow side were on top for much of the second period but failed to find an equaliser as Hearts held on to equal a club record of eight successive league wins first set in 1914/15.

'Anything is possible'
"At times, we know there are areas where we could be better," said Hearts manager George Burley. "But when you have got spirit and character, anything is possible. The game was hampered by players being injured and changed around. But after the goal, we had a really good spell and could have had a few more. If we can get three players in of good quality that will improve the squad then I think we could seriously talk about winning the league. But we are not there yet, there's a long way to go."