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Rangers completed a domestic double after they beat Falkirk 1-0 in a tight Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park courtesy of a stunning strike from Nacho Novo.

Thirty-six seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute, Novo unleashed a screamer from 25 yards to give Rangers a lead which they never relinquished.

The Spaniard allowed the ball to drop in front of him from a throw in by Lafferty, before volleying emphatically past Dani Mallo, who was left helpless.

The big news prior to kick off on a glorious day in Glasgow was the reinstatement of Barry Ferguson to boss Walter Smith's starting line up.

The deposed skipper replaced Maurice Edu, with Lee McCulloch also stepping in after Pedro Mendes was ruled out through injury.

David Weir held aloft the Scottish Cup trophy, a week after the defender had claimed the Scottish Premier League for Smith's side.

The match began at a ferocious tempo, with Falkirk having their share of possession, as well as chances in the opening exchanges.

Rangers had the first chance in just the second minute, when Lee McCulloch rose to meet Steven Davis's corner, placing his header narrowly wide after Steven Whittaker's cross had been turned behind frantically by Gerard Aafjes.

Although Rangers began the game the brighter, Falkirk were not to be overawed, and Bairns boss John Hughes's decision to start with Neil McCann over Carl Finnigan was vindicated as the winger looked sprightly.

Burton O'Brien lashed a shot over Neil Alexander's crossbar in the tenth minute, leaning back to drive his effort from the edge of the Rangers penalty area, but it was a sign of intent.

Four minutes later, McCann found some space on the edge of the area and swerved a vicious drive which dipped to clip the crossbar, with Alexander rooted to the spot.

The ball again found McCann in the 21st minute, with the winger unmarked in the centre of the penalty area, but scuffed his shot wide. With the benefit of hindsight, McCann would have taken a touch and found some poise, but he rushed his effort.

A second devilish corner from Davis was headed back across the goalmouth dangerously by David Weir on the stroke of half-time, but Falkirk skipper Darren Barr was on hand to divert it to safety.

Chances were less abundant in the second half, with Rangers content to soak up the pressure which Falkirk could apply.

A deep cross from Patrick Cregg in the 51st minute found Thomas Scobbie at the back post, but the defender's header drifted wide, with Alexander scrambling across his goalline.

Falkirk had a goal rightly disallowed for offside midway through the half when Lovell scores from a cross fed in by substitute Michael Higdon, who had strayed beyond Madjid Bougherra to receive Arfield's ball.

Indeed it was not until the 79th minute that Rangers carved a meaningful second-half attack of their own, but following Novo's exploits, the pressure was eased and the champions showed their composure.

The ebullient Miller scampered down the left and dinked a cross past the dive of Barr, and Lafferty almost converted from close range, with his shot drifting narrowly wide.

Three minutes later, Falkirk come agonisingly close to equalising when Steve Lovell pounced on a loose ball and poked a shot against the far post, with Alexander helpless.

But that was to be Falkirk's final assault on the Rangers goal, and the party in the blue half of Glasgow could begin in earnest, when Alexander punted the ball up field to the sound of the final whistle.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport