Sports

Hearts chase history as Rangers reach critical point

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

On Friday morning, as Rohl, Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande spoke about facing Hearts, there was a whole load of fighting talk from the three adopted Bears.

Tynecastle was going to be “on fire” said the manager, the contest was “do or die” said Raskin, a must-win game said Diomande. Rohl said his team is facing four cup finals from now until season’s end and that they’ll be ready for whatever the league leaders and their crowd throw at them.

The problem here is a week ago Rohl said much the same thing in the build-up to the Motherwell game. It was five cup finals at that point.

In his preview of that match, he stressed Rangers needed to keep believing on the back of four straight wins and 15 goals scored. “We have to run, we have to fight,” he said of the imminent arrival of Motherwell to Ibrox. “(We have to) let the opponent know what it feels like to be at Ibrox at the moment.”

When Motherwell passed them to distraction to open a 2-0 lead in the first half, everybody could see what it felt like to be at Ibrox. Noisy and angry.

Rangers were not just outplayed, they were outthought. Motherwell had a surgical precision about them. They were a class above a Rangers team that’s had £40m spent on it in under 12 months – about double Motherwell’s entire turnover for three seasons combined.

It was the third time in seven games Rangers fell two goals behind – they got a 2-2 draw against Livingston, roared on to beat Falkirk 6-3 but got caught by Motherwell, losing 3-2 in the end. Can a side with such a weakness in its make-up be trusted to win on Monday?

There is a soft underbelly to this Rangers team. They can deliver pockets of really good stuff and goals in clusters, but their unimpressive moments have put them in the last chance saloon.

On Friday, Rohl and Raskin spoke about the character they’ve shown to fight back from a near-death experience under Russell Martin, the guts it has taken to make themselves contenders. But their hopes are hanging by a thread heading to Edinburgh.

Of course, there is pressure all round. Heaps of it. With their backs to the wall, Rangers will surely come out swinging. Hearts will have to hold their nerve. Celtic finding a winner against Hibs sets things up perfectly for Tynecastle.

Rohl says he knows what to expect from Hearts and their supporters, but does he really? Does anybody? Expecting the unexpected has been a sensible policy this season. So, onwards we go into the fun and the chaos, with pulses quickening all the while.

Sports

London Marathon: Record of 1.33 million people apply for 2027 event

Published

15 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

qasimgillani

A record number of people have applied to participate in the 2027 London Marathon via the public ballot.

In total, 1,338,544 people have applied for the event which will take place on 25 April, breaking last year’s record of 1,133,813.

The 2026 marathon had a record 59,830 finishers and was the biggest annual one-day fundraising event in the world.

“This astonishing total of applicants firmly establishes London as the world’s most sought-after marathon,” said Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events.

“Nothing else comes close. Our mission is to inspire people of every age and ability to get active – and these extraordinary numbers show the massive draw and power of the London Marathon.”

The ballot results will be released early in July, with places allocated through a random draw.

Sports

What does Antonelli's improvement mean for Russell? F1 Q&A

Published

30 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

qasimgillani

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the Miami Grand Prix.

Sports

NBA play-offs: Minnesota Timberwolves take series lead despite Victor Wembanyama record

Published

56 minutes ago

May 5, 2026

qasimgillani

A record-breaking defensive performance from Victor Wembanyama was not enough to prevent the Minnesota Timberwolves taking a 1-0 lead against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA’s Conference semi-finals.

Wembanyama made 12 blocks – a record for the NBA play-offs – but Minnesota, sixth seed in the Western Conference, upset second seed San Antonio by claiming a 104-102 win on the road on Monday.

The defensive player of the year added 11 points and 15 rebounds, becoming the third player to get a triple-double in the play-offs including blocks since the league began tracking blocks in 1973-74.

Anthony Edwards returned from a knee injury for the Timberwolves and scored 18 points from the bench as they held on to win the opening game of the best-of-seven series.

San Antonio remain at home for game two on Wednesday.

“We have to be better,” said Wembanyama. “We need to figure it out in the next 48 hours, and I’ve got no doubt that we will. I would trust us.”

The New York Knicks made a commanding start to their series with the Philadelphia 76ers, winning 137-98 at home.

The Knicks, who are the third seed in the Eastern Conference, became the first NBA team to win three straight play-off games by at least 25 points.

Jalen Brunson scored 27 of his game-high 35 points in the first half while London-born forward OG Anunoby finished with 18.

After beating the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 on Thursday, the Knicks became just the second team in NBA history to end one series and begin another with consecutive victories by at least 30 points.

“Wasn’t any fun to be a part of, to be honest,” said 76ers coach Nick Nurse. “But it’s 0-1. Doesn’t really matter if it’s six points or 36 or whatever the hell it was.”

Game two is scheduled for New York’s Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.