Revved-up Rangers buried their pain in Spain and ended a 13-year wait for Scottish Cup glory with an extra time defeat of Hearts at Hampden.
After a first goalless final since 1990, Ryan Jack and Scott Wright netted in extra time to ensure the Ibrox side don’t end a lung-busting campaign empty-handed.
It was a case of out of the Seville frying pan and into the fire of a Hampden final.
But after digging deep once again Gio van Bronckhorst’s side somehow found extra spark to get the job done.
Allan McGregor was even brought off the bench with two minutes left of extra time in as clear a signal as there’s been that the veteran goalkeeper is about to bring a stellar career to an end.
John Souttar was in for his first Hearts start in two months - but also his last before making a summer switch to Ibrox. Not that there was any doubt over the defender’s loyalties as he put in a commanding display, positionally perfect and with a series of crucial blocks.
But it was Rangers - who made five changes to their Europa League Final line-up - who left with the silverware.
Hearts opened brightly, as may have been expected after Rangers Euro exertions. Ellis Simms was the target as they looked to use his muscle and get Liam Boyce feeding off his knock downs.
But it was Everton loanee Simms himself who should have opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Nathaniel Atkinson played in Boyce on the right of the box and his low ball to the back post was just too far ahead of Simms who could only knock against the base of the post and wide.
At the other end a long diagonal from Connor Goldson caught out Alex Cochrane and Amad Diallo’s superb first touch deserved more but his cut back was snuffed out.
Scott Arfield had an effort blocked as Rangers upped the tempo and Hearts were forced to defend their box desperately for a spell.
Craig Halkett had hearts in mouths with an overzealous back pass that Craig Gordon had to control with his HEAD. Hearts half cleared only for Arfield to have a shot easily held by the keeper.
With Simms and Boyce linking well Hearts are never out of a game though and when the former dragged Leon Balogun out of position, Barrie McKay popped the ball into the hole for Boyce but the Northern Irishman’s shot was blocked.
But the Ibrox side had taken control and were looking to get in behind the Hearts wide men at every opportunity. Steven Davis set Joe Aribo free on the left after 34 minutes and only a superbly timed Souttar block denied the Nigerian inside the box.
Calvin Bassey then got forward to cross for Aribo but his glancing header flashed past the far post.
Bassey, fresh from a powerhouse performance in Seville and back in at left back, was in full flight less than three days later and another teasing cross should have been buried by Diallo but the Manchester United loanee headed over when he should have bulged the net.
It was the last action of a goalless first half.
Diallo might not have had as many minutes as he’d have liked since moving on loan in January but he was seeing plenty of the ball here and a wonderful lofted pass over Atkinson freed Ryan Kent after 57 minutes but Gordon was out smartly to smother at the winger’s feet. It was Diallo’s last action as he was replaced by Scott Wright on the hour mark.
The game was on a knife edge but it was Rangers creating all the openings. Bassey, who else, cut inside and worked the ball onto his right foot to draw a good save from Gordon after 71 minutes.
Hearts still hadn’t registered a shot on target and their case wasn’t helped when top scorer Boyce went off after 75 minutes. The striker had only lasted 12 minutes of the dress rehearsal a week earlier and looked short of fitness.
There was no such worries for Souttar despite his lack of game time. The defender was flying into everything and another braveheart block stopped a fizzing John Lundstram drive in its tracks with five minutes to go.
But there was a huge moment of controversy in the first minute of injury time when Wright slipped in Aribo whose shirt was tugged by Atkinson before his shot was brilliantly turned round the post by the boot of Gordon. Rangers were screaming for a spot kick but Willie Collum wasn’t interested.
Wright then clipped the top of the bar with a header from a Tavernier free kick. But extra time it was to be.
Another Bassey cross was headed over by Aribo from six yards as the Jambos’ goal continued to live a charmed life.
But the resistance was finally broken after 93 minutes when sub Ryan Jack took the roof off the Rangers end.
Tavernier’s corner was headed clear by Craig Halkett but Jack brought it under control 20 yards out and sent a ferocious drive past Gordon before the keeper could even blink.
Two minutes later and it was game over as Scott Wright doubled the lead. Hearts ere caught on the break and Ryan Kent burst forward before slipping in the overlapping Wright who drilled low across Gordon.
Sub Fashion Sakala drew another good save from Gordon as he broke in the second period of extra time.
But the game was long gone by then. The last roar was for Allan McGregor as he made what looks like his final bow off the bench.
Here are 5 talking points...
No Seville slumber
No recognised striker again, no Aaron Ramsey again, but no problem for Rangers as they ensured a lung-busting season at home and abroad doesn’t end empty-handed.
For the fourth time in 11 matches Gio van Bronckhorst’s side were taken to extra time but few can argue they didn’t deserve to win this one over the piece.
The pressure was on as they stared at the possibility of a trophyless season.
But after withstanding early Hearts pressure the Ibrox side won the midfield and found space in behind the Hearts wide men. In truth they should have had the game settled in regulation time with Aribo, twice, and Diallo missing gilt edged chances from excellent Calvin Bassey deliveries.
They also had a strong penalty shout denied in injury time when Aribo was pulled back. It’s been an exhausting season for the Ibrox side.
They could have wilted and felt sorry for themselves after Wednesday’s heartbreak in Seville. But they bounced back and driven on by the excellent Calvin Bassey and skipper James Tavenier penned Hearts back.
It’s been a long wait for Rangers to claim their 34th success in this competition. But after seeing off Celtic and Hearts at Hampden they are worthy winners.
Hearts flat
A good season at Tynecastle could have become a great season. A mantra repeated by Robbie Neilson over and over in the build-up to this one.
It remains a good season though after finishing a clear third in their first season back in the top flight. They might wonder how different it could have been if Ellis Simms’ studs were an inch longer when he struck the base of the post early on.
But that remained their only real effort on goal and having failed to register a shot on target for the entire 120 minutes the Jambos can have little complaint at the outcome.
They defended doggedly, led by the inspirational John Souttar. The problem now is finding a replacement for the defender. And Simms too.
What a find the big striker has been for Hearts and no wonder Robbie Neilson is desperately trying to get him back from Everton next season, he’ll be a huge presence to replace.
His power, movement and link-up with Liam Boyce would cause problems for any defence. Hardly lost a header when Hearts went direct and the Jambos will be kicking themselves they never produced more deliveries into the box for the hitman.
Bassey bonus
Calvin Bassey returned to left back in place of the injured Borna Barisic and you’d never have thought the 22-year-old had played 120 minutes in the baking heat of Seville less than 72 hours earlier.
Constantly got in behind Nathaniel Atkinson and supplied a stream of wicked crosses.
Pace, power and a Rolls Royce engine the youngster had the Rangers fans on their feet with a triple drag back that had the Jambos in a spin early in the second half.
He’s at the top of his game right now and appears at his best in the rampaging full back role. Rangers could face a huge fight to hold onto the ex-Leicester man this summer with the list of suitors south of the border growing.
Super Souttar
John Souttar brought both sets of fans together when his name was read out over the tannoy pre-match. Both must have left the stadium singing the Scotland defender’s praises too.
Neilson showed a huge chunk of faith in the 25-year-old who is Ibrox bound in the coming weeks and who hasn’t started for over two months due to injury.
He showed every inch of his class as if he’d never been away. Commanded his box with a presence and a perfectly timed block thwarted Joe Aribo in the first half.
Looked to break out from the back when the opportunity arose and strolled through the 120 minutes.
Positioning was perfect all afternoon and, if he can stay injury free, the Scotland defender looks to be a steal for Rangers.
Greegs' final bow?
Souttar may be on the way in. But is it the end of the road for Allan McGregor, Steven Davis and Connor Goldson?
Veteran goalkeeper McGregor had to make do for a place on the bench as Gio van Bronckhorst kept the faith with cup keeper Jon McLaughlin, meaning McGregor has now picked up four Scottish Cup winners’ gongs from the bench.
He was handed a one-minute cameo in as clear a signal yet that he is about to hang the gloves up for good. Davis was handed a start in the middle of the park and helped Gers win the battle as he set the tempo.
Goldson was his usual dominant self in the heart of defence.
But with all three out of contract in the coming weeks and no sign of deals being offered, or in the case of Goldson agreed, it looks like their days at Ibrox are up. If so a fitting finale.
