Hearts boss Robbie Neilson believes Rangers' Scottish Cup final victory was down to their squad depth.
The Ibrox club came out 2-0 winners after extra time thanks to quick fire goals from former Aberdeen duo Ryan Jack and Scott Wright.
And Neilson knows that the options Rangers had to come off bench influenced the game - with both match winners appearing late into the match as Hearts started to tire.
“I'm very proud of the players performance to be honest with you,” Neilson told Premier Sports.
“I thought the first 90 minutes we were outstanding at times. We blocked things off.
“And you know you’re coming here, Rangers are a very very good team and just been in the Europa League final so we had to try and in gate them but we created chances.
“I think today was won and lost on that strength of squad. You look at the changes that Rangers made. They can bring on international players and guys that are worth five or ten million pounds.
“So we need to try and get to a level where we can, we’re not going to match that but get players in who can come and do that.”
Hearts striker Ellis Simms had a glorious chance to open the scoring early in the first half but he dragged his effort from close range wide of Jon McLaughlin’s goal.
And Neilson insists he couldn’t fault any of his players efforts.
“Any chance you get and you don’t quite take it is always going to have that reflection but I couldn’t fault any of the players."
