Alex McLeish signed off with the win he craved in his final game as Rangers manager after four and a half years at the Ibrox helm.

Kris Boyd was the difference between Rangers and Hearts on the day, but an uninspiring affair proved to be an apt conclusion to what had been a disappointing domestic season for the Gers.

The former Kilmarnock forward struck twice to seal a 2-0 triumph over the team who had denied McLeish a Champions League spot for next year.

World snooker champion Graeme Dott paraded his trophy to rapturous applause at half-time, but it was also a poignant reminder this would be the only silverware on display at Ibrox this season.

McLeish put the club's domestic failings down to their success in the Champions League - they became the first ever Scottish club to reach the last 16 - but new boss Paul Le Guen will be well aware the SPL crown is his top priority next season.

"We're only here for a party," taunted the Hearts fans who made the trip to Ibrox.

The Jambos had secured second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a midweek with over Aberdeen.

And it was clear next week's Tennent's Scottish Cup final against Gretna was already top of their agenda when only Rudi Skacel and Bruno Aguiar survived from the side which defeated the Dons in midweek.

The first chance of the game fell to Hearts when Mirsad Beslija raced into the box before setting up Skacel for the shot but he sent the effort across the face of goal and wide.

Martin Petras picked up the first booking of the game for hauling back Dado Prso on the edge of the box.

But the home fans were furious referee Iain Brines, who replaced the injured Kenny Clark before the game, did not play the advantage.

Hearts then raced up the park and almost grabbed the opener but Calum Elliot sent his thunderous drive whistling past the post instead.

Boyd and Nerijus Barasa were both added to the referee's book in quick succession, before Boyd forced Steve Banks into a decent save at the near post.

However, the breakthrough came from the resultant corner.

Peter Lovenkrands found Boyd at the back post and he rose above everyone else to nod home in the 36th minute.

Rangers made their first change of the game a few minutes into the second half when Steven Smith was replaced by Alex Rae.

But it was Hearts who almost found the back of the net when only the quick response of Ronald Waterreus prevented Beslija from finding the back of the net.

It was enough to spark Rangers into life again and they enjoyed a decent period of possession but the highlight of that spell was an almost carbon copy of the goal, but, this time, Boyd's header flashed wide.

Julien Brellier was replaced by Lee Johnson and the Hearts youngster tried to have an immediate impact on the game only to send his long-range driver over the crossbar.

Waterreus did well to block a thunderous 25-yard effort from Aguiar, but he pushed the ball straight to the feet of Michal Pospisil, who somehow managed to bundle wide of a gaping net.

Boyd netted his 37th goal of the season with 73 minutes gone.

Prso released Gavin Rae down the right flank and he delivered a low pass to the feet of Boyd to sweep home from a few yards out.

For the final 10 minutes, Lee Robinson replaced Waterreus between the sticks.

When the final whistle sounded, it signalled the end of the game, the season and an era for Rangers.

Teams:

Rangers Waterreus (Robinson 78), Murray, Andrews, Kyrgiakos,Smith (Alex Rae 49), Burke, Hemdani, Gavin Rae,Lovenkrands (Buffel 68), Kris Boyd, Prso.

Subs Not Used: Malcolm, Novo, Lennon, Ashikodi.

Booked: Kris Boyd.

Goals: Kris Boyd 36, 74.

Hearts Banks, Barasa, Petras, Berra, Wallace,Brellier (Johnson 62), Beslija (Mikoliunas 81), Aguiar, Skacel,Elliot, Pospisil (Makela 75).

Subs Not Used: Gordon, Neilson, Camazzola, Cesnauskis.

Booked: Petras, Barasa, Skacel, Pospisil, Makela.

Att: 49,792

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).