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Skipper Barry Ferguson and Jean-Claude Darcheville were both on the scoresheet to set up a clash with Aberdeen or Dundee United on March 16.

The occasion provides Walter Smith with his first final since returning to the Ibrox helm a year ago, and Rangers with the chance to claim their first silverware since a dramatic final-day championship triumph in May 2005.

Christian Nade looked busy for Hearts and he could have won a penalty after going to ground under pressure from Carlos Cuellar on the edge of the box.

Whether the challenge took place inside the area was debatable but referee Mike McCurry was unimpressed by the pleas and refused to award a free-kick, let alone a penalty.

But four minutes after the restart skipper Ferguson collected a Chris Burke cross from the right flank on the edge of the box, turned and lashed an unstoppable left-footed shot into the bottom corner - although he appeared to control the ball with his hand.

As far as Rangers were concerned, the goal was justice after a handball by Jose Goncalves went unpunished seconds earlier.

Boosted by the opener, Darcheville then saw a tight-angled shot touched onto the post by the Hearts goalkeeper and McCulloch was not too far away with an effort which whistled just wide of the target.

And there was no way back for Hearts when Darcheville claimed his eighth goal of the season with 21 minutes to go.

Burke whipped the ball across the face of goal to the back post where Darcheville was waiting to side-foot home from six yards.

Sporting Life / Eurosport