Hearts boss Jim Jefferies saw positives and plenty of room for improvement as his side went down 2-0 to Rangers at Ibrox, today.

Second half goals from Kyle Lafferty and a Kenny Miller penalty settled the game in favour of the home side who had to battle for the win against a Gorgie side that had stood toe-to-toe with the league leaders in an even first half.

Insult was added to injury as Eggert Jonsson saw red for conceding that late penalty.

However, looking at the overall team performance the manager was pleased with what he saw.

JJ said: "As far as passing the ball and the way we set ourselves out I was fairly happy with the way we played.

"I don't think Jamie had too many saves in the first half where, I thought, we were very comfortable. We passed it about well and I thought Kingston was excellent.

"We said at half time like we always do here, that the first 10-15 minutes they are going to be at us. We lost goals from set plays last time we met them and it has come back to haunt us again.

"The way the game was the first goal was always going to settle Rangers down and if we had gotten that then we really could have made them nervous."

Rangers took the lead less than ten minutes into the second half during a spell when the home side were fully on top.

Hearts had spells in the first half when they were causing their opponents lots of problems but many an attack broke down meekly in the final third.

The Tynecastle boss was respectful of his patchwork forward line, David Obua and Suso Santana, and the work they put in but he was under no illusions as to what Hearts need to take three points from games such as this.

"What we did today was played really well up until the last third as we were playing with players who are not recognised strikers," Jim continued.

"I don't think that Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd had their best games but they are always dangerous when you put the ball into the right areas.

"We don't have that because we've not got the recognised strikers with the natural instinct that you need to be a striker.

"David Obua has done very well for us but he's not a goal-scorer and although Suso caused them some problems today he's not a striker.

"We know that's an area that's been a problem all season and it's something we'll have to put right in the summer."

The defeat leaves Hearts still trailing their rivals in the chase for Europe and with only four games the task has just got that little bit tougher.

But with four huge games to go Jim is positive that his team still have a chance to catch the teams ahead.

He said: "We are still looking to move up. Hibs lost yesterday and if we'd won today then we would have closed the gap so we set out the team to do that by going 4-4-2 and trying to win the match.

"If Rangers can go next week at Easter Road and win to take the title and if we can beat Motherwell then the gap is down to three points and we've still to play.

"We're at home now for three of those four matches, and a big game at Easter Road, so there is certainly a lot to play for."

On Hearts.TV today - Catch reaction from JJ and Ismael Bouzid, and tomorrow watch all the action from Ibrox