Hearts struck a significant blow in the Scottish Premiership title race as they ended Rangers' year-long run without an away league defeat at a raucous Tynecastle.

First-half goals from Stuart Findlay and Lawrence Shankland were enough to secure a win over the fourth-placed visitors that surely ends any doubts that Derek McInnes' surprise leaders are genuine title contenders.

It stretched Hearts' lead over Celtic to nine points, before the reigning champions won for the first time in four league games against Aberdeen to return the gap to six, having played a game fewer.

As for the other side of the Old Firm, Rangers have still only lost twice in the Premiership this season, but both have come against a Hearts side who are now 12 points ahead of Danny Rohl's side.

Youssef Chermiti's stoppage-time goal could not deny them a first Tynecastle win over the the Ibrox side in eight attempts - another statement victory as Hearts remain unbeaten in 10 home games this season.

Hearts had a narrow escape after 11 minutes as Emmanuel Fernandez rose unmarked to head a corner towards goal.

The ball seemed to be flashing just wide before Bojan Miovski turned it over the line, but a video assistant referee (VAR) review determined the Rangers striker was marginally offside.

The home side were also fortunate when the unmarked Nicolas Raskin headed wastefully over from 10 yards and a Jayden Meghoma shot deflected wide after goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow pushed a low Mikey Moore drive into his path.

In between, Hearts winger Alexandros Kyziridis twice shot wide of the far post, but the home side were largely being limited to efforts from range.

However, a clever backheel from Claudio Braga from a corner gave Kyziridis room to find Findlay with a pinpoint cross and the centre-back rose above Connor Barron to thump home.

Rangers wilted and, when Braga headed on to Shankland, the Scotland striker somehow found space between goalkeeper Butland and his near post to extend the lead with a thundering low drive.

As the visitors struggled for any kind of fluency after the break, Hearts should have extended their advantage when Shankland fired wide before being foiled by a fine Butland save.

Substitute striker Chermiti pounced on a Frankie Kent mistake to reduce the arrears, but it was too late to rescue a point for Rangers and prevent Rohl suffering his first league defeat in nine games as head coach.

Anyone who doubted Hearts' ability to sustain a title challenge must surely be coming round to the idea now.

It is little wonder there were sceptics considering they were languishing at the bottom of the table this time last year.

However, they are a different animal since McInnes became head coach this summer and benefited from a transfer window guided by Tony Bloom's analytics team.

Having also beaten Celtic twice, Hearts have become the first side to win four consecutive top-flight meetings with the Glasgow duo since Dundee in 1985.

Win the derby against Hibernian at Easter Road next weekend and they face a stretch of winnable fixtures before they get a chance to record a fifth consecutive victory over the Old Firm, when Celtic visit at the end of January.

Missing the defensive solidity of the injured Craig Halkett, Hearts made a shaky start, but Rangers were made to rue early misses and their own lack of depth at the back.

With Nassir Djiga at the Africa Cup of Nations, Rohl went with a back three containing two players more recognised as full-backs, but it was the normally reliable Butland who was Rangers' biggest villain.

A wayward clearance for Hearts' first goal and poor positioning for the second were crucial in a defeat that leaves Rangers' own title chances looking increasingly slim.

Rohl has steadied the ship since Hearts' last win over Rangers went some way to ending Russell Martin's reign as head coach, but he needs a significant January transfer window if they are to even challenge for second, never mind the title.

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "We got a wee bit of a break with the disallowed goal. But Rangers' line-up surprised us. Mikey Moore playing as a central striker surprised us and we never quite got our distances right.

"But, after we secured that after 15 minutes, I thought we connected the game really well. I thought we carried a threat, we disrupted Rangers' fluency. From then on in, we were worthy of the 2-0 lead at half time.

"Then we just see it out. I thought we defended brilliantly. I am just disappointed we didn't get the third goal because we had good moments to get it."

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "Until the first goal, we were good organised, we had our moments, they had their moments. And then we conceded two goals very quickly and it changed the game. Then it's tough to come back.

"Now we have to react well. Today was a little bit a step sidewards and we have to improve.

"It is tough to come back, but step by step, game by game, we have still a lot of games to go. We need consistently good performances and get results and, if we do that, we are in a good way."

Hearts visit city rivals Hibs on Saturday, 27 December (12:30 GMT), before Rangers host third-placed Motherwell later (15:00 GMT).