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Rangers

  • Novo 46’

Falkirk

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  1. Rangers win Cup

    Rangers win Cup

    Rangers completed a domestic double after they beat Falkirk 1-0 in a tight Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Rangers
    • Falkirk
    • 90+2' The full-time whistle goes, and Rangers have clinched the double! Nacho Novo's 46th minute wonderstrike was enough for Walter Smith's side to seal a 1-0 victory with a valiant effort from Falkirk! Thanks for joining us.
    • 90+1' Falkirk break through Mark Stewart down the right wing, but Rangers look composed and kill time through Naismith and Dailly in the corner.
    • 90' Carl Finnigan is booked for a cynical trip on Ferguson as two minutes will be added.
    • 89' Sasa Papac takes an age over a throw in to waste some time, and Novo attempts a long speculative shot which goes well wide.
    • 88' Within seconds of coming on, Christian Dailly is booked for a late lunge on Barr.
    • 87' Kyle Lafferty departs, with Christian Dailly replacing him in another defensive move.
    • 86' John Hughes is on the touchline frantically waving his players forward, as Smith makes another change.
    • 85' Falkirk are getting increasingly desperate, pumping long balls into Rangers' half and hoping for the ball to drop.
    • 84' Nacho Novo is ruled offside when clean through on goal, and Rangers could have doubled their lead there.
    • 83' Steven Naismith replaces Kenny Miller as Walter Smith further consolidates his team's lead.
    • 82' Falkirk come agonisingly close to equalising, Carl Finnigan pouncing on a loose ball and poking a shot against the far post and wide.
    • 81' To view a photo of Jackie McNamara challenging with Lee McCulloch moments ago click here
    • 80' Rangers are content to break whenever possible, while Falkirk pile the pressure on their opponents.
    • 79' Miller scampers down the left for Rangers, dinking a ball past Barr, and Lafferty almost converts it, with the ball drifting just wide from inside the box.
    • 78' Bairns boss John Hughes looks agitated, but having made all three of his subs, there is not much more he can do.
    • 77' Kenny Miller trips Scobbie and a free kick goes the way of Falkirk, and there was no doubt there.
    • 76' Darren Barr is booked for protesting after the referee had endured a lot of abuse following the disallowed goal.
    • 75' Falkirk have a goal disallowed for offside - and rightly so - as Lovell scores from a cross fed in by O'Brien, who had strayed to receive Arfield's ball.
    • 74' Michael Higdon replaces Kevin McBride for Falkirk, while Patrick Cregg is off for Carl Finnigan, and Mark Stewart replaces Neil McCann.
    • 72' Changes are being made by both managers imminently, as both sets of substitutes are warming up vigorously.
    • 71' Falkirk are slowly building their possession, but Rangers are happily sitting deep and allowing their opponents to come on to them.
    • 69' Arfield is on a last warning from referee Thompson, with another edgy tackle coming in from the midfielder on Bougherra.
    • 68' Lovell is caught offside from a long ball by McNamara, but he would have been clean through there.
    • 66' Lovell is finding it increasingly difficult to hold on to the ball in attack for Falkirk, and Rangers' defenders are not giving him a sniff.
    • 65' The tempo of the match has rather petered out over the last five minutes, with both sides perhaps tiring slightly given the heat, and the pace of the first half.
    • 64' Falkirk box Rangers into their half, but Weir and Bougherra look comfortable heading the ball away from the barrage of crosses.
    • 62' Falkirk are anxiously pressing, but have not looked threatening this half.
    • 61' Alexander takes a few chances, bringing the ball back into the area before taking his goal kick, but gets away with it.
    • 60' Arfield has a speculative shot from the edge of the area which drifts weakly wide.
    • 59' Falkirk press forward once more through Cregg, with McCann overlapping but missing the pass.
    • 58' Rangers fans will not mind seeing the man in the centre of this photo, from Walter Smith's side in the late 90s, click here to view it
    • 57' Novo is a bag of energy out there, sprinting to close down Mallo, who was dwelling on the ball.
    • 56' Alexander holds the ball steadily for a while to gather his side's composure.
    • 55' A cross from Arfield is too deep for any of the five Falkirk players waiting in the box this time.
    • 54' Miller turns well, swivelling to find Lafferty, but the attack comes to nothing as McNamara makes the challenge.
    • 53' A deep cross from Cregg finds Scobbie at the back post, but his header goes wide - decent chance for Falkirk.
    • 52' There was a concern the goal would dampen the game, but none of it: both teams are anxiously pressing forward.
    • 51' Rangers go on the attack through Lafferty down the left, but it peters out with Barr making the tackle.
    • 50' Bougherra does well to dispossess Lovell and play the ball safely back to Alexander under pressure.
    • 49' Referee Thompson has a stern word with McBride after the midfielder tussled with Barry Ferguson.
    • 48' Falkirk, to their credit, have gone straight on the attack following the goal, with O'Brien launching to crosses into the Rangers box.
    • 47' Falkirk's players must be absolutely stunned, with hardly a second to take their breath, and Rangers are in front.
    • 46' GOAL!!! 36 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute, Nacho Novo unleashes a screamer to give Rangers the lead! The striker allowed the ball to drop in front of him, before volleying emphatically past Dani Mallo.
    • 46' The second half is underway at Hampden Park, and Rangers boss Walter Smith has made one change, with Kris Boyd apparently complaining of the heat, coming off with Nacho Novo replacing him.
    • 45+2' The half-time whistle goes and the cup final is goalless at Hampden Park, with a very open game proving entertaining, despite there being no strikes to talk about as yet.
    • 45+1' Rangers are ending the half on a real high, and Ferguson clips a ball to the back post but no one can latch on to it.
    • 45' Davis's delivery is nodded back across the goalmouth by David Weir, and Barr nods over the bar, although he knew little about it. Two minutes to be added.
    • 44' Lafferty catches McNamara in possession, and wins a dangerous free-kick on the left, with the defender shown the yellow card.
    • 43' McCann loses the ball to Davis, who slips the ball in to Miller, but the ball ricochets away from the forward.
    • 42' Rangers, under instruction from Walter Smith, press higher up the field, cramping Falkirk for space, and it seems to work initially.
    • 41' Steven Whittaker is booked for a rash lunge on Neil McCann, and the referee is not at all impressed.
    • 40' Lafferty is irate as he believes he has won a throw in, but for the linesman to award it to Falkirk, as Rangers get slightly frustrated.
    • 39' If anyone had forgotten, this is the prize at stake for the winner of this final. Take a look at the picture
    • 38' Ally McCoist and Walter Smith engage in some intense conversations about what they are watching - John Hughes will be happier at half-time.
    • 37' Darren Barr collects the ball in defence and then lumps the ball upfield to Lovell - the zip has left the match temporarily.
    • 36' A dismal shot from O'Brien, who drags a very tame drive near the corner flag with four players alongside looking for a pass - poor.
    • 35' There is a short delay as Bougherra goes down to receive treatment, and the players use the opportunity to replenish their energy-drink levels.
    • 33' A fine sliding tackle from McNamara on Lafferty denies the midfielder a run down the wing - fine challenge.
    • 32' Bougherra makes a fine interception himself, then powers his way upfield until he is eventually tackled on the edge of the penalty area.
    • 31' Weir makes a smart interception as Lovell attempts to turn him on the edge of the penalty area, and Rangers are keeping their composure.
    • 30' To take a look at a selection of photos from this match, click here
    • 29' Falkirk continue to keep the ball in the Rangers half with patience and circumspection, but O'Brien's long-range shot does not test Alexander.
    • 28' Papac errs slightly on the ball and almost lets in Cregg, but the Rangers defender redeems himself with a precise tackle.
    • 27' Arfield combines well with O'Brien, but his dinked pass through to Lovell is ruled offside.
    • 26' A slick pass from McBride almost finds Lovell, but Bougherra steps in for a timely challenge to break up the play.
    • 25' Ferguson loses the ball to McBride who keeps possession well for Falkirk under pressure.
    • 24' Thomas Scobbie gives the ball away sloppily to Kenny Miller, who runs at Barr, but loses the ball as he attempts to jink past the defender.
    • 23' It really is a glorious day for the final, and both teams are attempting to give the occasion the football that it deserves.
    • 22' Boyd takes a long ball from Miller down, but has no support and so lashes his shot high and wide.
    • 21' What a chance! The ball falls to McCann, who is unmarked in the centre of the penalty area, but scuffs his shot wide. He really should have taken a touch as he had plenty of time to gather himself.
    • 20' Falkirk manager John Hughes will be delighted with his side's bright start today.
    • 19' A superb touch from Whittaker deep inside the Falkirk half almost sees the defender through on goal, but Asfjes sweeps up.
    • 18' Ally McCoist is stalking the touchline as he contemplates where Rangers need to go from here; they started brightly but have let their opposition dictate in the last few minutes.
    • 17' Neat passing from the Bairns sees them possession for over a minute, before Scott Arfield overhits a long ball to Lovell.
    • 16' McCann strays slightly offside as he receives a through ball from Steve Lovell, and Falkirk are playing well within the Rangers half at the moment.
    • - Let us not forget that Rangers are seeking to achieve the domestic double today. If you would like to be reminded as to how they achieved the SPL title, click here
    • 14' McCann finds some space on the edge of the area and swerves a vicious drive which narrowly dips over the bar, with Alexander rooted to the spot - that one was close.
    • 13' Steven Whittaker maraudes forward and drives a shot wide of Dani Mallo's far post: it was never that close in reality.
    • 12' Sasa Papac picks the ball up out on the left wing and hangs a high cross to the back post, but it evades Boyd, who mistimes his run slightly.
    • 11' O'Brien again picks up a loose ball in midfield and runs through the Rangers half, but this time the attack peters out. The midfielder has started brightly.
    • 10' Burton O'Brien lashes a shot over Neil Alexander's crossbar, leaning back to drive from the edge of the Rangers penalty area.
    • 9' Barry Ferguson has had a quiet start, with many expecting a few crunching tackles early doors from the combative midfielder.
    • 8' David Weir attempts to calm things down by dwelling on the ball at the back for Rangers, but the champions are the ones who are on the front foot.
    • 7' This time Miller picks the ball up out on the left, but Patrick Cregg does well to dispossess the forward.
    • 6' Kyle Lafferty is seeing a lot of the ball for Rangers, picking the ball up down the left and attempting to beat Jackie McNamara for pace.
    • 5' To follow the match gallery at Hampden Park, click here
    • 4' Rangers have Falkirk boxed into their half, with Kenny Miller drifting outwide to whip in a cross for Boyd, but it is cleared away.
    • 3' The pace of the game is suitably heady, with both sides charging at every tackle in a frantic manner.
    • 2' A good early ball from Steven Davis almost finds Kris Boyd in the box, but Darren Barr slides the ball away for a corner.
    • 1' We're underway at Hampden Park, and there is a fervent atmosphere around the ground as Rangers kick us off.
    • - The deposed skipper replaces Maurice Edu, with Lee McCulloch also stepping in after Pedro Mendes was ruled out through injury. For Falkirk, Kevin McBride comes in for the suspended Arnau Riera, while Neil McCann gets the nod over Carl Finnigan.
    • - Falkirk defender Steven Pressley is confined to the bench as he looks to face the club where his career started.
    • - Ferguson has not started for Gers since he was sacked as skipper after Scotland banned him for inappropriate behaviour while on international duty.
    • - Rangers: Alexander, Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Davis, Ferguson, McCulloch, Lafferty, Boyd, Miller Subs: McGregor, Novo, Naismith, Dailly, Wilson
    • - Falkirk: Dani Mallo, McNamara, Barr, Aafjes, Scobbie, Arfield, Cregg, McBride, O'Brien, McCann, Lovell Subs: Olejnik, Pressley, Higdon, Finnigan, Stewart Referee: Craig Thompson (Scotland)
    • - Rangers face Falkirk in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park and the big news is that former Gers skipper Barry Ferguson will start in midfield.

  • Summary

    • 82' Falkirk come agonisingly close to equalising, Carl Finnigan pouncing on a loose ball and poking a shot against the far post and wide.
    • 79' Miller scampers down the left for Rangers, dinking a ball past Barr, and Lafferty almost converts it, with the ball drifting just wide from inside the box.
    • 75' Falkirk have a goal disallowed for offside - and rightly so - as Lovell scores from a cross fed in by O'Brien, who had strayed to receive Arfield's ball.
    • 53' A deep cross from Cregg finds Scobbie at the back post, but his header goes wide - decent chance for Falkirk.
    • 46' GOAL!!! 36 seconds after coming on as a half-time substitute, Nacho Novo unleashes a screamer to give Rangers the lead! The striker allowed the ball to drop in front of him, before volleying emphatically past Dani Mallo.
    • 21' What a chance! The ball falls to McCann, who is unmarked in the centre of the penalty area, but scuffs his shot wide. He really should have taken a touch as he had plenty of time to gather himself.
    • 14' McCann finds some space on the edge of the area and swerves a vicious drive which narrowly dips over the bar, with Alexander rooted to the spot - that one was close.
    • 10' Burton O'Brien lashes a shot over Neil Alexander's crossbar, leaning back to drive from the edge of the Rangers penalty area.
    • - Rangers face Falkirk in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park and the big news is that former Gers skipper Barry Ferguson will start in midfield.

Live Team Line-Up

  • Referee: Craig Thomson

  • Rangers

    Manager: Walter Smith

    Captain: David Weir

    Starting line-up

    • .. Alexander
    • S. Whittaker Yellow Card
    • D. Weir
    • M. Bougherra
    • S. Papac
    • S. Davis
    • B. Ferguson
    • L. McCulloch
    • K. Lafferty Substitution Out (87′)
    • L. McCulloch
    • K. Boyd Substitution Out (46′)
    • K. Miller Substitution Out (83′)

    Subs

    • C. Dailly Substitution In87′ Yellow Card
    • N. Novo Substitution In46′ Goal Yellow Card
    • A. McGregor
    • S. Naismith Substitution In83′
    • D. Wilson

    Injured

    • P. Mendes
    • K. Broadfoot
    • M. Edu

    Suspended

    None

  • Falkirk

    Manager: John Hughes

    Captain: Darren Barr

    Starting line-up

    • D. Mallo
    • J. McNamara Yellow Card
    • G. Aafjes
    • D. Barr Yellow Card
    • T. Scobbie
    • B. O'Brien
    • S. Arfield
    • K. McBride Substitution Out (74′)
    • P. Cregg Substitution Out (74′)
    • N. Mccann Substitution Out (74′)
    • S. Lovell

    Subs

    • S. Pressley
    • R. Olejnik
    • M. Higdon Substitution In74′
    • M. Stewart Substitution In74′
    • C. Finnigan Substitution In74′ Yellow Card

    Injured

    None

    Suspended

    • A. Riera

Comment 29 - 48 of 88

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  1. 46 - NO DANGER, BIG MAN! If you want to look like a­ fanny, wear a rangers shirt!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Sat 30 May 4:33PM

  2. paulfraser29, I wasn't really a fan of Strachan,­ but I think that he had a great deal of success second­ only to Big Jock. I think that you need to prepare­ yourself for a few barren years......

    From Marco A, on Sat 30 May 4:33PM

  3. 44 - if she diznae take it up the Gary Glitter,­ Ah'm no' interested! FECK OFF, YA BOT!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Sat 30 May 4:32PM

  4. COMMENT 46
    I AGREE WIV U BUT YE IT MAKES U LOOKS LIKE­ A FANNY

    From fdhbgt, on Sat 30 May 4:32PM

  5. 38 - KICK AND RUSH? SURELY YOU MEAN HIT AND HOPE!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Sat 30 May 4:31PM

  6. COMMENT 30 DREAMING AGAIN
    I WAS GONNA BURN A RANGERS­ FLAG BUT I FORGOT SHYTE DONT BURN
    CMON FALKIRK
    CFC AL A­ WAY

    From fdhbgt, on Sat 30 May 4:31PM

  7. 34 - WHO THE FECK ARE YOU TO TELL PEOPLE THEY'RE­ NOT ENTITLED TO AN OPINION, YA HALFWIT? YOU COME ON TO­ THIS SITE AFTER THE SPL SEASON'S FINISHED, AND TALK­ AS THOUGH YOU'VE BEEN POSTING HERE ALL SEASON! WHEN­ YOU CAN COME ON HERE AT THE START OF THE NEW SEASON AND­ JOIN THE BANTER ALL SEASON LONG, THEN YOU MIGHT BE­ ENTITLED TO TEL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO! FU*CK OFF BACK UNDER­ YER ROCK, CAVE BOY!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Sat 30 May 4:29PM

  8. Rangers think they are good again when they are­ not.Worst celtic team for years lets see the outcome­ next season with a good manager in place.C,MON THE­ FALKIRK.

    From paulfraser29, on Sat 30 May 4:28PM

  9. WHY SHOULD RANGERS PLAY IN THE SCOTTISH CUP WE KNOW WHO­ WILL WIN FROM THE START POOR FALKIRK THEERES ONLY TWO­ TOP TEAMS I KNOW CELTIC WAS BEATEN OUT OF THE CUP

    From JOHN S, on Sat 30 May 4:24PM

  10. Mon the Bairns. Only a matter of time before its­ 1-1.
    hope this comment doesnt make me look like a­ fanny.

    From franek g, on Sat 30 May 4:24PM

  11. ciaran.daly65, the old kick and rush was good enough to­ win the league wee man. Come away the teddy berrs­ !!!!!!!!!

    From Marco A, on Sat 30 May 4:18PM

  12. WE ARE THE PEOPLE C,MON THE GERS get stuck into them­ ,. Paphos Rangers Supporters

    From george, on Sat 30 May 4:15PM

  13. kick and rush my arse...they have just scored you­ idiot!!!

    From Rob, on Sat 30 May 4:13PM

  14. GOOOOAAALL!!!! GO RANGERS, DESTROY EVERY SINGLE PIECE­ OF FALKIRK!

    From korax, on Sat 30 May 4:12PM

  15. what a fu#@#ng GOAL, WEE NOVO

    From Alex W, on Sat 30 May 4:10PM

  16. kick n rush rangers showing what their made of again­ pure sh it

    From Ciaran, on Sat 30 May 4:07PM

  17. Come on Rangers beat the bairn. Rangers 2 Falkirk0.Ya­ dace

    From John, on Sat 30 May 3:59PM

  18. shut up cmcgregg, you don't have the right for an­ opinion cause you're a falkirk fan :)))

    From korax, on Sat 30 May 3:55PM

  19. COME ON FALKIRK. BEAT THOSE BLUE NOSE'S!!!

    From cmcgregg, on Sat 30 May 3:49PM

  20. c'mon rangers! score at least once!

    From korax, on Sat 30 May 3:46PM
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