Rangers came from behind twice to move within two points of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, as Youssef Chermiti's hat-trick sealed a thrilling 4-2 win at Ibrox Stadium. 

The teams played out an entertaining first half with four goals shared between them, but Chermiti proved to be the man of the moment with two strikes after the break. 

Hearts hit the front in the 16th minute when Emmanuel Fernandez's sloppy pass ended with Claudio Braga teeing up Marc Leonard, who arrowed a right-footed shot into the top-right corner. 

But their lead lasted for just three minutes when Michael Steinwender sliced into his own net after Alexander Schwolow had done brilliantly to repel Chermiti's initial header. 

However, Steinwender atoned for his earlier error in the 30th minute with his teasing cross finding Braga, whose outstanding header back across goal looped past Jack Butland.  

Rangers responded again six minutes before the break through Chermiti, who bundled his way past Craig Halkett's sliding challenge before finishing at Schwolow's near post. 

And Rangers led for the first time just before the hour, as Chermiti got in front of his marker to power Andreas Skov Olsen's home with an excellent near-post header. 

Chermiti completed his treble on the stroke of full-time, collecting Djeidi Gassama's pass into the area before taking a touch and sealing the win with a ruthless right-footed finish. 

Data Debrief: Chermiti leads another Rangers recovery

When Danny Rohl was appointed back in October, Rangers were 13 points behind Hearts in the table, but with victory today, they are now within touching distance, though rivals Celtic, after their late win over Kilmarnock, are also a point behind their Old Firm rivals with a game in hand. 

And having failed to find the back of the net since his brace against Celtic at the start of January, Chermiti delivered a timely return in front of goal, ending the match with team-high totals for shots (seven), touches in the opposition box (11), duels won (13) and aerial duels won (seven). 

Rangers were worthy of their win, having registered an expected goals (xG) total of 2.41 from their 19 shots to Hearts' 0.35 from seven attempts.

The Gers have now won 10 points from losing positions in the top flight this season, with only Dundee United (13) recovering more.