GLASGOW (Reuters) - Rangers reached the Scottish League Cup final on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Hearts thanks to second-half goals from Barry Ferguson and Jean-Claude Darcheville.

Rangers, who have won the trophy 24 times, grabbed the opener with a disputed goal from captain Ferguson, who handled a cross from Chris Burke before scoring, while Darcheville tapped in an easy second.

"I am very satisfied (with the win) and we played very well throughout the game on an awkward pitch," Rangers manager Walter Smith told BBC television.

"The pitch was a little bit bobbly but I felt we handled it very well and deserved to win."

Rangers carved out the first chance of the match with a good run and cross from the right by Steven Whittaker that found Charlie Adam, who cracked in a 12-metre volley in the 15th minute forcing a fine two-handed save by keeper Steve Banks.

Hearts came closest to scoring in the scrappy opening period with a looping header from Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka in the 41st minute which rebounded from the crossbar with keeper Allan McGregor at full stretch.

Five minutes into the second half Ferguson scored his controversial opener by using his left hand to bring the ball under control before swivelling to hook a 15-metre shot into the left side of the net.

Hearts passed up a fabulous chance to level when Velicka was put clear by Frenchman Christian Nade only to hurry his 15-metre shot and screw it high and wide of the right post with Rangers' goal at his mercy on 62 minutes.

Rangers wrapped up victory with a simple second goal after a good run down the right and low cross from Burke was turned home by French striker Darcheville in the 69th minute.

Rangers meet the winners of the other semi-final between Aberdeen and Dundee United on March 16.

(Editing by Sonia Oxley)