Rangers

It's the showpiece event of the Scottish football season and this time it's Rangers vs Hearts at the national stadium. Rangers haven't won this competition for ...

He laid it off to Kent who tried to lift it to the back post but it's headed out for a corner. It was as well and Balogun got on the end of it but it's just over the bar. A huge chance for the Ibrox side with seven minutes to go. It's a corner down on the right hand side and Stephen Kingsley is going to take it. Tavernier to take the corner from the right and it's headed clear. It's a good ball in and Wright got his head to it but it hits the bar and goes over. This is a huge chance for the Jambos with minutes to go. Hearts have a free kick at the other end after a foul by Gordon and this is a chance to get back into it. The corner from Tavernier was headed out to the edege of the box and Jack took a great first touch to set himself up before drilling it off the bar and in. Halliday goes to hit it and he delivers it right in on top of the keeper but Kamara and Sakala links to clear it. Hearts want to bring silverware back to the capital, though, and it's sure to be a cracking game between the two sides. It's the showpiece event of the Scottish football season and this time it's Rangers vs Hearts at the national stadium.

Rangers won the 137th Scottish Cup final after goals from substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright in the first period of extra-time gave Giovanni Van ...

However, it was Hearts who had collapsed within seven minutes of the additional half an hour as Rangers secured a first Scottish Cup win since 2009. The win ensured that one of the most gruelling weeks in the Ibrox club’s history finished on a high note. Jack struck an unstoppable shot off the crossbar after 93 minutes and then Wright, who had seen a header hit the crossbar in injury time, drilled into the corner after a quick break forward.

RANGERS have won the Scottish Cup for the 34th time in the club's 150-year history after beating Hearts 2-0 in extra time at Hampden.

With two minutes left a great day was made even more memorable when Allan McGregor was sent on for Jon McLaughlin, the 40-year-old Rangers legend receiving a standing ovation as he jogged onto the pitch before the final whistle started the celebrations. The second half started in a similar way to the first, with both teams probing but the defences working tirelessly. Leon Balogun’s header fell to Nathaniel Atkinson who played in Liam Boyce in the right channel of Jon McLaughlin’s 18-yard box. Van Bronckhorst made five changes to his starting eleven head of kick-off today, with Jon McLaughlin, Leon Balogun, Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Amad Diallo back in. Hearts were struggling to cope with wave after wave of attack and again they had Gordon to thank when he stuck out a leg to deny Aribo after he squirmed a shot towards goal with only a couple of minutes on the clock remaining. On 10 minutes the Rangers fans were breathing a huge sigh of relief when the Jambos created the first chance of the match.

THE pain of their defeat in Seville on Wednesday night will linger for some time to come for Rangers.

Van Bronckhorst put on McGregor for McLaughlin at the very end so the veteran keeper could be part of the festivities. Van Bronckhorst was incensed in his technical area and appealed in vain to fourth official Nick Walsh. There was no shortage of endeavour, but much of the play was scrappy. Kent and Barrie McKay would have been proud of the trickery he exhibited on the ball out wide. Josh Ginnelly took over from the disappointing McKay and won a corner with two minutes remaining. There was greater fury, though, when the match official allowed play to continue. If Gordon hadn’t been so quick to get off his line and close the winger down then Hearts would have fallen behind. It was a classy gesture and the warm applause he received showed there was no ill-feeling towards him. The Scotland internationalist did well to nod it down and spare his team mate’s blushes. Arfield got an attempt on target in the 26th minute after Diallo and Davis had combined well to tee him up. But his moment of magic showed exactly why his manager had given him the nod. Goals from substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright in the first period sewed up a hard-fought and richly-deserved triumph.

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst was on the winning sides in 1999 and 2000 as he lifted the Scottish Cup trophy as a player – and this afternoon he lifted his first ...

“It was a wonderful strike from Ryan Jack and then Scott Wright finished off what was a very good counter-attacking move. “Hearts just didn’t have a response. “All credit to Rangers, they got credit last time they went to extra-time in the last round against Celtic, and they’ve gone and done it again and deserve a huge amount of credit.” Even in the second-half when the pressure was mounting, it took a wonderful save from Craig Gordon to deny Joe Aribo and the start of extra-time was the award that they got the previous half hour and the pressure eventually told. “What Giovanni van Bronckhorst now must do is regroup because titles matter at Rangers. They lost narrowly in the Europa League on Wednesday, so it was really important that they won the Scottish Cup this afternoon to get his first piece of silverware in the cabinet and they’ve managed to do it." Giovanni Van Bronckhorst was on the winning sides in 1999 and 2000 as he lifted the Scottish Cup trophy as a player – and this afternoon he lifted his first piece of silverware as Rangers manager.

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst won the cup playing with Rangers in 2000 and captured his first trophy as Ibrox manager having taken over from Steven Gerrard last ...

Gordon saved from Rangers substitute Fashion Sakala in the second period of extra-time before 40-year-old number one goalkeeper Allan McGregor took over from McLaughlin in the final seconds, presumably for a goodbye appearance. Arfield’s shot from 16 yards from a Davis pass was saved by Gordon before winger Kent curled a shot wide. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst won the cup playing with Rangers in 2000 and captured his first trophy as Ibrox manager having taken over from Steven Gerrard last November and it was well deserved.

Rangers put their European disappointment behind them as they battled to a 2-0 win extra-time win over Hearts to lift the Scottish Cup.

There was time for Gordon to make further saves from Kent and Kamara, before the cup was adorned in blue, white and red ribbons for the first time in 13 years. Then, in a swift Gers break three minutes later, Wright took a well-weighted pass from Kent on the break and drilled a shot low past Gordon to again spark wild scenes of delight in the blue half of the stadium. Balogun headed a James Tavernier corner just over as Rangers finished strongly and Gordon’s instinctive save with his foot from Aribo’s drive in the closing seconds was game-saving, before Wright hit the crossbar with a header from a Tavernier free-kick.

Marks out of ten for the Rangers players involved in the Scottish Cup final against Hearts at Hampden ...

He thrusted, weaved and tortured the Hearts defence but as has often been the case this season, his final touch was lacking. John Lundstram: Provided the base for Rangers to go on and attack. Deployed at left-back, he was Rangers’ most dangerous players in attack while being a monster in defence. He had the pace, power and positional sense to dominate the Everton loanee and almost scored with a bullet header. He will be a big miss should he decide his future lies away from Ibrox. 7 After that, though, he drove his team on and was ecstatic to finally get his hands on the Scottish Cup. 7

OUT-OF-CONTRACT Rangers centre half Leon Balogun has revealed he is desperate to stay at Rangers following the Ibrox club's emotional Scottish Cup…

We deserved it and it was important to finish the season on a high.” Most of the boys played 120 minutes (on Wednesday) so huge compliment to the guys. “But it is huge (to win the Scottish Cup) and the dressing room was buzzing. “I think we could feel that a little bit. We lost our manager halfway through and had to regroup with a new manager, who has his own ideas. “Everyone who watches me around the club knows I’ve fallen in love with this club,” he said.

The Light Blues boss has some big decisions to make following the energy-sapping Europa League final.

Despite the strain they would have been under though, all three could be back in the starting line-up against the Jambos. Jon McLaughlin has been the man in goal for much of the run to the final and Van Bronckhorst plans hand him the starting place ahead of Allan McGregor. However, Rangers will need to be ready to go again at Hampden this afternoon as they aim to lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in 13 years.

The Europa League winners were keen to wish Gio van Bronckhorst's men well at Hampden.

One said on Twitter: "Massive respect to Frankfurt for this. You deserve it." "You are a great club!

Eintracht Frankfurt have showed their class by taking out a full-page advert on a national newspaper to wish Rangers the best of luck in the future -

You earned it.” See you soon. Eintracht Frankfurt have showed their class by taking out a full-page advert on a national newspaper to wish Rangers the best of luck in the future – and to end the season by bringing home to Scottish Cup.

"While disappointed, we are not surprised by either the Spanish police or the stadium security's overzealous approach, or their clear contempt for football ...

"Plans had been put in place, many man hours went into creating a tifo with over 5000 flags handmade between the semi final second leg and having to leave for the final. “All materials had been authorised in advanced and access had been agreed, we thought it was all in hand, liaising with Rangers who then took the information to UEFA and stadium security. It reads: "The Union Bears would like to clarify and inform supporters as to why there was no tifo for the Europa League Final in Seville.

Both teams will lock horns today at the national stadium as they aim to finish the season with silverware.

Liam Boyce has managed to overcome a groin issue and will lead the line for the Jambos. Rangers and Hearts will battle it out in Scottish football's showpiece as both teams compete for silverware. Gio van Bronckhorst and Robbie Neilson have named their teams for today's Scottish Cup Final at Hampden.

Rangers win the Scottish Cup for the first time since 2009; Ryan Jack and Scott Wright scored in extra-time to secure the victory over Hearts; it ends the ...

We came so far in Europe and in the cup, but in the end you have to work hard and today we did. I can't fault the players and the fanbase came through with 22,000 here today. Rangers are a very good team - they were in the Europa League final. It was the quality of the bench, the subs that came on changed the game. "Any chances you can get and you don't get in, there's going to be reflection. "I'm very impressed and proud of them because it's been a big week with the final and the farewell of Jimmy (Bell, club's former kitman) and today we had to be there. We had to negate them, but we had some very good chances. "Very important, it's always good to end the season with a trophy. But I'm happy with the players that are out of contract. We will enjoy this time and have a big party tonight and holidays tomorrow." "It gives us a lot of energy, next season is new and I can start from day one. Hearts came agonisingly close to the opener when Liam Boyce picked out Ellis Simms at the back post.

Van Bronckhorst admitted he didn't see eye to eye with whistler Collum on a few of the big decisions.

"I'm happy with the performance. We had to look forward after Wednesday night and move on. "It's a pleasure for me to work with him and to work with him in future to make him stronger. It's not often you have players at 40 years old. It's amazing how he’s performed. He said: "There were some moments when I didn’t agree with the ref but you don’t have to agree with all of the decisions. "It’s difficult for them, it's a final with a lot of pressure. "To end the week with a trophy is very positive. "With Allan - it’s for the club. "I'm really proud to end the season with a trophy, which is a real positive. He said: "It was a nice sign from Jon, he told me when the result was there for us that he’d give up his place for Allan. It was a nice gesture from him. "For the players today it’s a reward for all the hard work over the months.

Rangers and Hearts met in the Scottish Cup Final for the first time in 24 years, with Rangers winning 2-0.

With the score line level at full time the game went into extra time and Rangers had the perfect start, taking the lead after three minutes. In the dying minutes of the game, Rangers had two opportunities to win the game in normal time. Joe Arbio's attempt from inside the box was denied by an outstanding save from Craig Gordon as the keepers saved the shot with his left leg to put the ball out past his left hand post. Both Rangers and Hearts beat their rivals in the semi-finals to book their place in the final. Hearts made three changes to their starting eleven from the game a week ago with John Souttar, Nathaniel Atkinson and Craig Halkett coming in to replace Toby Sibbick, Michael Smith and Gary Mackay-Steven who all dropped to the bench. However, two early goals from Ryan Jack and Scott Wright ensured the Scottish Cup would be heading to Ibrox for the first time since 2009.

RANGERS boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has addressed the futures of Steven Davis, Leon Balogun and Allan McGregor following today's Scottish Cup…

Asked directly about Davis and Balogun, he replied: "It depends. And on McGregor, he added: "I don't know, we have to see. Next season is new, we can start all over again, I can start from day one and we just have to keep on working.

Rangers fans gave a loud cheer in Hampden when Aaron Ramsey's name was read by the announcers ahead of the final against Hearts.

Losing the title to Celtic and the Europa League final on penalties is two heavy blows that aren’t for the faint hearted. However, Giovanni van Bronckhorst chose to keep him on the bench and he knows best why he decided to do so. Gers won the final 2-0 in extra time and Giovanni van Bronckhorst chose not to name the Wales international in the starting eleven for this one.

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has hinted that veteran stopper Allan McGregor has played his final game for the Ibrox club.

“But he was very thoughtful and could totally understand that we are playing Jon in the cup competitions. “We gave him our confidence in the cup competitions so he will still have the confidence tomorrow from me and my staff. Whilst van Bronckhorst doesn’t directly say so, the fact McGregor’s contract is up in the summer and that the stopper is now 40 has plenty doubting a renewal.

The 40-year-old wasn't giving much away on whether his future remains at Ibrox.

I can speak to the club easily and they can speak to me easily. But it's not a big problem so it's not something we need to discuss. So this is the last game.

What if Billy McNeill, John Greig and Willer Miller are meant to be a timeless trinity enshrined in the history of our game as the captains who conquered Europe for Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen? And destiny has decreed there's no more room on their ...

The past is a bygone era. The Champions League is a pipedream for Celtic and Rangers from next season onwards. But, in the end, Ramsey proved that a stellar reputation and a fanfare of trumpets to greet your arrival do not guarantee success. Penalty shootouts aren’t a lottery. Ramsey put the ball down the middle of the goal and hoped. And a pathetically weak penalty from Aaron Ramsey – a player supposedly wired to be a difference-maker at the highest level of the game – cost them the shootout that determined the winner.

The former Ibrox defender knows how Rangers players are feeling after losing 2008 UEFA Cup Final in Manchester and says it's vital they recover quickly in ...

Bassey's development has been a shining light in the Gers season which has attracted Premier League interest.

Inside the dressing-room, their influence is important. If they can’t, they need to make sure they get top dollar. Whether that’s £15m, £20m or £25m, they need to hold out for it –because he’s worth it. Because for me, Bassey is now a £20million player. Not for one second did he dwell on it. When you’re playing at the level you want to play at, for the club you want to represent, I don’t think you should give that up. He’s performed at a high level and played a huge part in the European journey this season. If he does go, it’ll be more good business from Steven and Ross Wilson in bringing him to the club in the first place. He started running as fast as he could to get back – and what a tackle he produced to clear the danger. At one point, he got into the box, chopped on to his right foot and almost scored. His performances in Europe have been unbelievable and that’s where you gauge the level of a player. It probably took him a while to settle and understand the club.

The blue-and-white ribbons of Rangers being tied to a trophy for the first time in 23 national finals spoke of more than the Ibrox men ending an 11-year ...

Even when it comes merely to applying a fig leaf to the notion of entering the competitive orbit of Celtic and Rangers. A full 13 points separated them and fourth-placed Dundee United. Against such a backdrop, Hearts have been presented as the best hope the Scottish game possesses of having the wherewithal to mount a semblance of a challenge to the Glasgow behemoths. It was a smattering of draws and two derby reverses that did the damage to their championship prospects. Many considered the Tynecastle men would never have a better opportunity to record a first final victory over Rangers at Hampden owing to the possibilities the timing of the latest Scottish Cup decider seemed to present. However, it is unknown for all the other teams in Scotland to be so thoroughly incapable of landing a glove on either of them at the same time. And that occasion, Hibs’ League Cup semi-final slaying of Rangers on November 21 last year, came with the Ibrox men destabilised and disorientated by the departure of Steven Gerrard and his backroom staff to Aston Villa. So much so, they were under the charge of two club youth coaches as a hat-trick from the now departed Martin Boyle condemned them to a 3-1 defeat.

Rangers have joined Celtic in targeting Japhet Matondo as Cardiff City seemingly face up to the prospect of losing the teenage starlet.

Wales Online report that Rangers have now joined the battle to bring 16-year-old Matondo to Scotland. Rangers have joined Celtic in targeting Japhet Matondo The attention will soon turn to the summer transfer window with Rangers needing to bring in major quality to aid Van Bronckhorst.

James Tavernier savoured Rangers' Scottish Cup success by chanting over a megaphone to fans. He belted out "We love you Rangers, we do" to the Gers end at Hampden on the back of their 2-0 extra-time win over Hearts. The Gers skipper was part of a team ...

Kieran Tierney did similar for Celtic after a title win in 2008, which Hoops fans were quick to point out after the Tavernier video was shared on social media. The Gers skipper was part of a team who bounced back from Wednesday night's Europa League disappointment to get their hands on a trophy. He belted out "We love you Rangers, we do" to the Gers end at Hampden on the back of their 2-0 extra-time win over Hearts.

The 22-year-old Nigerian won his second man-of-the-match award in the space of three days as he put in another colossal display for his team, driving them ...

Such have been his levels recently, a clutch of English Premier League clubs have been linked with him, Aston Villa being the latest. You can't disrespect it. “I thank my team-mates. “I’m focused here. "What they've done in European football has shone a light on our game and if you want to come and buy one of our players, you have to spend as well. He was also solid as rock in defence.

The Ibrox side were celebrating on Saturday as they claimed the famous old trophy for the first time since 2009.

We want to take a step closer to the Old Firm and to try and get into the Europa League. It is just the start. It was a bit flat to start with but that was expected. It is for these fans to go and enjoy now. In the off-season, we can refresh and go again. Hopefully, we can keep going and come together in every competition next year. Thanks to all the fans for the support this season. We have come up from the Championship, finished third, secured group stage football and got to a cup final. It's been reported in Switzerland that YB are planning a major summer overhaul and Itten is their main target. I couldn't have dreamt it any better than this to come on and get us ahead in the game. Obviously, we are disappointed to lose a cup final. — Dave Vos (@VosDave)— Dave Vos (@VosDave) @ScottishCupWinners. I am so proud of this group of players. We want to build, step forward and win.

Neil McCann has demanded clubs take Scottish football and Rangers seriously after their Europa League run - dubbing Calvin Bassey a £20million player.

"Rangers have shown they're a force, Celtic now going into the Champions League group stages, hopefully Rangers will follow them, we're talking about Hearts into the group stages of the Europa League, hopefully our game has been taken to a level where if you want to come and recruit some of the best players on show here you have to spend. "But what they've done on European football has hopefully shone a light on our game to say, 'If you want to come and buy one of our players in Scotland, you have to spend as well, you can't just come and rob them from Scottish football and disrespect it'. Premier League clubs have, in the past, paid somewhat less than what some stars of our game are worth and McCann insists he's had it with the "disrespect".

ANDY HALLIDAY reckons Sunderland striker Ross Stewart has more than earned a move to Rangers, with the Ibrox club reportedly interested.

"I don't see any doubt whatsoever that he's earned his move if a move does come along and I'm sure he'd be a good signing for anyone with the goal record he has." "The success that Sunderland have had this season has been down to him and he deserves to be linked with clubs like Rangers. Stewart's form has caught the eye and reports have suggested that Rangers are eyeing a move for the Scotland international.

There's links to Rangers and the English Championship - but Ross Stewart is just glad to have booked Sunderland's passage to the latter.

I think you saw we were excellent today and it was thoroughly deserved. Scoring 26 goals over the campaign, the striker said on Sky Sports: "You couldn't have chosen a better way to do it. You look at that crowd, that's what it's all about.

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that Calvin Bassey impressed him even before he officially took charge of the Ibrox club.

"I am a big fan of Calvin,” said the Rangers boss. The Dutchman was in the stand for the Premier Sports Cup defeat to Hibs last November before taking over the following week and admitted that the defender was one who caught his eye despite the 3-1 reverse. Even more impressively, the Nigeria international was played in two different positions after turning out at centre-back in the penalty shoot-out defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt before moving to left-back for the 2-0 extra-time win over Hearts at Hampden.

The whistler came under fire for some of his calls as the Ibrox side got their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2009.

Craig Gordon was rightly praised for his outstanding save to deny Joe Aribo and force extra time. This was a shocker from the referee. Ally McCoist and Michael Stewart, working for Premier Sports, had contrasting views. Ryan Kent appealed for handball from his cross and the ball appeared to his arm but it was in a natural position and was also just outside the box. It would have been a huge blow for Hearts to lose a man so early on the fact there were so few minutes on the clock probably worked in his favour. And there was plenty to debate in-between as the man in the middle came under scrutiny for his display in the season showpiece.

The Ibrox club have been at war with the SPFL over the sponsorship agreement and that could have been cranked up if the title had remained in Govan.

If that cinch money isn't there it'll leave a major hole in their finances." However, according to a report in The Times there were real fears of the £8 million agreement being ripped up if the Light Blues had retained their title and refused to display branding, as they have done all season, during celebrations. Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title win avoided the prospect of cinch tearing up their SPFL sponsorship deal over their Rangers row in a move that could have seen top flight clubs take group legal action against the Ibrox club, according to a bombshell report.