Scottish Cup - Rangers win Cup

Eurosport - Sun, 31 May 09:24:00 2009

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.

FOOTBALL 2009 Scottish Cup final Kenny Miller congratulates Nacho Novo on scoring Rangers' second goal against Falkirk - 0

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

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  1. brian are you gonna dae it like . . . ?

    From JEEMS, on Sat 30 May 9:04PM

  2. Just a thought 12-16 million just for turning up we are­ champions league dermot cant sell real estate.

    From iancampbell11, on Sat 30 May 9:03PM

  3. brian d i wouldnt waste my time with you mate you aint­ worth a criminal record
    dont forget to swallow now­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­
    SCOTLANDS SHAME CELTIC FANS IRISH TALIBAN
    PS is­ scottie boy giving you one !

    From dazandbass03, on Sat 30 May 9:02PM

  4. Well said james. both clubs have a load of bigots­ calling themselves supporters. RELIGOUS HATE IS ALIVE­ AND WELL WHEN IT COMES TO THESE TWO CLUBS.

    From Roger, on Sat 30 May 9:02PM

  5. BRIAND EXACTLY HIBS ARE No 2 IN YOUR BIGGOTED EYES. DO­ YOU NOT SEE IT MAN PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE WHATS WRONG WITH­ SCOTLAND. YOU REALLY ARE A FOOL

    From JEEMS, on Sat 30 May 9:00PM

  6. brian d you make me laugh­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­ !!!!!!
    SCOTLAND SHAME CELTIC FANS IRISH TALIBAN
    did i­ upset you what a shame BIGOT

    From dazandbass03, on Sat 30 May 8:58PM

  7. i totally remember this plank the old Retro in Blue ???­ and if it is the same bloke i know where the plank­ works down there too

    From scottiebhoy67, on Sat 30 May 8:51PM

  8. Congrats Donney on Rangers winning the double

    From saeed, on Sat 30 May 8:50PM

  9. hey its not me you have to tell to leave donny alone go­ send an severe and adverse warning to richard gough its­ him you have to watch out for now lets all watch the­ bjk slander come into action but if i may set the­ record straight who cares if jock knew alan brazil (­ rangers man ) wasnt good enough for the celtic youth­ team so mr torbet decided that his punishment would be­ a beastin a bit of boaby up the farter action i think­ he got off lightly and a stronger punishment should­ have been handed down bottom line stinkin orange plank­ got what he deserved

    From scottiebhoy67, on Sat 30 May 8:49PM

  10. BRIAN D SUCK UP TO A WEEGIE AYE VERY GOOD

    From JEEMS, on Sat 30 May 8:48PM

  11. SCOTYBHOY, YIR JUST AS BAD AS THEY OTHER LOT. YIS ARE­ AS BAD AS EACH OTHER ITS THAT SIMPLE EVERY SCOT WHO­ ISNT A TIM OR A BILLY AGREES FACT. . . . GLASGOW IS­ SCOTLANDS CANCER FACT!!!

    From JEEMS, on Sat 30 May 8:46PM

  12. AW MAN YOU LOT ARE PATHETIC, JAMBOS GERS FECK IT ANY­ PRODDY!!! GET A FRIGGIN GRIP ON REALITY YOU WEST COAST­ MORONS

    From JEEMS, on Sat 30 May 8:44PM

  13. brian d what a hardman you are not ! you probably blow­ your co ck off instead
    away back to giving your­ boyfriend head LOSER
    SCOTLANDS SHAME CELTIC FANS IRISH­ TALIBAN

    From dazandbass03, on Sat 30 May 8:42PM

  14. who said i wiz a hibee. ABERDEEN I SAID FOOL CLEAN YIR­ EARS OOT MIN. ALTHOUGH HEARTS ARE THE BEST IN CAPITAL­ NOT HIBS LOOK AT THE LEAGUE TABLE IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND­ IT, TOO MANY NUMBERS FOR A WEEGIE

    From JEEMS, on Sat 30 May 8:42PM

  15. listen jamezee at least have the courtesy to spell my­ name correctly wallace mercer has alot to do with this­ like rangers he tried to spoil scottish football by­ makin two teams into one but now unfortunately he's­ six feet under and now mrs mercer spends xmas on her­ own and yes he wont be home for tea and like rangers­ they spoil the good name of a once great country that­ has been spoiled by wannabe english planks like rangers­ oh and the diet huns with a wee twist of bitter lemon­ ie hearts so there you go thats what he has to do with­ it
    " Tell all the hearts you know wallace mercer­ is dead and were no oh hes under the ground he'll­ never be found walace mercer is dead and were no "

    From scottiebhoy67, on Sat 30 May 8:41PM

  16. well dazz i hope when your gettin a pumping off your­ mate he at least has the god damn common courtesy to­ give you a reach around ?? where you from boy texas­ only stears and queers come from texas you red kneck­ banjo playin @#$% wit llf

    From scottiebhoy67, on Sat 30 May 8:36PM

  17. AND SCOTYBHOY LEAVE DONNY ALAIN, HES GOT MAIR BRAINS­ AND WIT THAN YOUR FEEBLE MIND CAN COMPREHEND

    From JEEMS, on Sat 30 May 8:35PM

  18. daftass susan boyle is a tim thats what most of the­ tims look like u sad bawbag lol gersfans haha WATP I­ WILL HAVE A DOUBLE

    From shallgers, on Sat 30 May 8:35PM

  19. OH AND SCOTYBHOY . . . YES CORRECT, IT IS OUR CAPITAL­ HAR HAR HAR HAR
    WHAT WALLACE MERCER HAS TO DO WITH­ THIS ONLY YOU KNOW YA SMELLY WEST COASTER

    From JEEMS, on Sat 30 May 8:34PM

  20. donny go take your boaby out yer sisters mouth because­ your typin just as your gettin to the tickly bit and we­ cant understand you or maybe wait till your valium­ wears off and the meth kicks in then we may get a bit­ of sense out of you !!!!!!!

    From scottiebhoy67, on Sat 30 May 8:33PM
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