Incredibly, the Dutch star had to be substituted midway through the first half after being clattered by Colin Cameron, an action which seemed to aggravate the groin problem which has sidelined van Bronckhorst for six months.
It was a late challenge from the Hearts captain in the 15th minute which earned him a booking and there was worse to come as he was sent off just before half-time for a ludicrous lunge at Barry Ferguson.
But it hardly compensates for this latest setback to van Bronckhorst who had not played a domestic game since October 1 last year and now could face even more time on the sidelines.
It became clear that the hugely talented midfielder could not continue and Dick Advocaat decided not to take any chances and replaced him with young Finn Jani Kauppila, who was making his Rangers debut.
Sadly for Kauppila, his debut will not be a moment he will want to remember as he was substituted at half-time. The fact that it was for tactical reasons as Advocaat wanted three strikers to pressure 10-man Hearts will do little to remedy the indignity.
Fortunately for Rangers, this latest injury problem had little effect on the outcome of the game as the Ibrox men went on to win comfortably with Tore Andre Flo displaying the striking prowess which makes him a £12million player.
It did not start that well, however, as Stefan Klos was forced to make a diving save to deny Andy Kirk in 18 minutes and then hold onto a Scott Severin shot following the resulting corner.
However, once Flo gave the Ibrox men the lead in 35 minutes there was a feeling that victory would come Rangers’ way and it was a goal of top quality.
Sergio Porrini made a great overlapping run done the left side to release Billy Dodds – back in the starting line-up for the first time since December 17 – and he produced a quite excellent left-footed cross.
Flo rose high above Steven Pressley to meet it with apparent ease and directed a header past Roddy McKenzie to put Rangers in front.
Cameron had already shown his reckless nature with the foul on van Bronckhorst and he offered another example just before half-time. He had no hope of winning the ball as he challenged Ferguson, catching the Rangers captain on his right ankle and everyone knew it.
Willie Young had no option but to issue a second yellow and therefore a red card and Hearts must have felt then that the task of retrieving the game was beyond them.
Rangers needed a second goal, though, to make sure of their win and it duly arrived in 57 minutes. There was as much simplicity about it as the first goal, at least Flo made it look that way.
Craig Moore, who happily made his comeback without any problems, supplied a good cross from the right and Flo again outjumped the Hearts defence to place a header into the left corner.
That is eight goals in 12 games for the towering Norwegian and while his play may not have been as explosive as everyone knows he is capable of, it is an excellent ratio.
The astute positioning of Austin McCann denied him a hat-trick in 73 minutes when the Hearts fullback headed Flo’s hook shot off the line.
Two minutes later the former Chelsea star turned creator when he picked out Dodds with an excellent cross. Dodds was all alone in the box but placed his header straight at McKenzie.
It was an excellent contribution from Scotland’s most expensive player. He secured the win Rangers needed to reduce the gap at the top to 10 points but the Gio injury setback tinged the whole thing.
RANGERS: Klos; Moore (Malcolm 80), Amoruso, Wilson, Porrini; Johnston, Ferguson, Konterman, van Bronckhorst (Kauppila 23, Miller 45); Flo, Dodds. Subs not used: Christiansen (GK), Carson.
Bookings: Moore (17)
HEARTS: McKenzie; Flogel, Pressley, Severin, McCann; Boyack (McAnespie 83) Tomaschek, Cameron, Makel; Kirk, Durie (Juanjo 63). Subs not used – Gordon (GK), Murray, Neilson.
Sent off: Cameron (45)
Ref: Willie Young.
Att: 49,003
Man of the match: Tore Andre Flo
Moment of the match: Dodds’ cross with his left foot for the first goal.