It was the perfect send-off for head coach Robbie Neilson, who is expected to become English League One club MK Dons' new manager subject to the two clubs agreeing compensation.

Muirhead opened the scoring in the 44th minute to grab his first goal since joining Hearts in the summer.

Rangers striker Joe Dodoo had a second half strike chalked off for offside before Muirhead sealed the win with his second strike on the hour mark.

While all the attention before the game was focussed on Neilson, the future of Warburton will now come under scrutiny following his side's third defeat in 15 games.

His side now trail league leaders Celtic by eight points having played three games more.

"We were loose in our passing and we didn't get it going tonight," admitted Warburton.

"They are a high-energy, physical and well-organised team and we didn't press enough times to get on the football".

Neilson, meanwhile, was elusive about his future at Tynecastle.

"It was a great performance from a young team who are progressing. There was real energy all over the team," Neilson said.

"I'll be in tomorrow morning as usual and we'll talk about things. I expect it to be clarified then. Tonight is all about the players"·

A minute's silence to mark the air crash in Colombia involving Brazilian club Chapecoense was held before kick-off.

The tribute was particularly poignant for Hearts defender Igor Rossi, who was a former Internacional team-mate of Josimar - one of the 77 victims.

Following a frantic start, it took until the 32nd minute for a shot on target when Jamie Walker sent a tame strike straight at Wes Foderingham.

Hearts took heart from this and moments later Callum Paterson fired a fierce effort at Foderingham which the keeper could only scoop away.

Hearts were well on top and Foderingham was forced into another save as he gathered a header from Bjorn Johnsen as he headed on a Don Cowie free-kick.

The forward got a lot more power on a header as he connected with a long throw-in from Paterson but Foderingham came to the rescue as he tipped it over.

However, Hearts' pressure paid off as they took a deserved lead a minute before the break.

Arnaud Djoum collected a clever flick from Johnsen to steam into the penalty box. He played a pass back to the striker and his ball across the face of goal was slammed in by a sliding Muirhead

Rangers thought they had equalised in the 52nd minute. Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton spilled a Kenny Miller strike and Dodoo collected it to fire a sensational strike past him into the net.

However, a very late offside flag from the assistant referee, who ruled Harry Forrester had interfered with play while in an offside position, saw the Rangers celebrations come to an end.

It was to prove a costly decision as Hearts increased their lead soon after. Paterson played Walker in down the right and his dangerous cross to the back post was buried by Muirhead.

R. Muirhead

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