Neil McCann has picked out the 'really big' decision from Michael Beale that played a major role in Rangers reaching the Viaplay Cup Final.
The Light Blues came from behind to secure a return to Hampden and set-up an Old Firm derby showdown with Celtic thanks to strikes from Ryan Jack in normal time and the winner from Kemar Roofe in extra-time. Bojan Miovski had fired Aberdeen ahead after the Dons capitalised on slack defending from Borna Barisic in the first period.
But it was the call to introduce Scott Wright that earned plaudits from McCann as the speedy attacker was put up against Matty Kennedy, who was deployed at full-back for the ten-men Dons following skipper Anthony Stewart's straight red card for a challenge on Fashion Sakala in added-time in the original 90. The BBC pundit believes the former Aberdeen man 'absolutely burned' Kennedy as he hailed the call that played a big part in Rangers' progress to the showpiece next month.
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He told BBC Sportsound: "The decision from Anthony Stewart to go and make that challenge has really hurt Aberdeen.
"But the decision from Michael Beale, in what is still quite a young managerial career, making big decisions... You have to do it at Rangers. His decision to put Scott Wright on out there against Matty Kennedy who was then deployed as a full-back, was big and it was good. I think it's proved to be a really big decision because of that pace.
"He absolutely burned Matty Kennedy, and I felt sorry for him because I've been deployed at full-back myself as a winger. It's not great, it doesn't matter how quick or tenacious you can be. It's not your strong suit and the last thing you want is someone who is fresh, quick and being direct.
"So the decision of Michael Beale to do that looks like it's played a big part in Rangers making the League Cup Final."
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