Betfred Scottish League Cup Semi Final
Rangers 3 Hearts 0
A double from Alfredo Morelos, helped set Rangers up with a mouth-watering Old Firm Scottish League Cup Final, their first since 2016 after comfortably seeing off the challenge of Managerless Hearts.
Following a recent share of the points in the league this was a tie originally billed, as anything but a foregone conclusion. But idea was turned on its head following the surprise sacking of Craig Levein earlier in the week.
Having spent most of the open 45 minutes deep in their half, trying to contain endless pressure, the Tynecastle Rear Guard where caught napping, just before the one minute into injury time when Filip Helander nipped through with little resistance to open the scoring.
Hearts game plan started to fall apart when Morelos increased the lead in 47 minutes. The Columbian Striker made it 3-0 in 62 minutes. The only down side for Steven Gerrard’s side, the final score line could easily have been a lot more.
There is no denying the progress Rangers have made under Steven Gerrard this season at home and in Europe, as well as the threat to Celtic ‘s dominance in the SPL. However, when it comes to domestic cup competitions, there still remains work to be done.
Five semi finals in recent years, five defeats, scored no goals and conceded ten. And despite what has happened recently, Rangers fans will know that despite what has been done so far, they need to start bringing home some trophies in order to show real progress.
After the comfortable way Celtic disposed of Hibs 24 hours earlier, the task for Rangers today was to final end their semi final hoodoo against Hearts and send out an equally strong message to their Old Firm Counterparts.
For Hearts, who have been anything than impressive in the league this season, made the bold step in dispensing with the services of Manager Craig Levein, with Austin McPhee taking on a familiar role as the Interim Boss.
And what would be the perfect way to get himself in the front of the queue in getting the job full time than a cup final berth on Dec 8th.
The last time these two teams met in the league was a goal apiece. And with so much at stake, both sides knew that they would have to step up their game in was going to be an intriguing second semi-final.
Rangers were doing most of the running during the early stages of the first half forcing the Jambos to defend deep. They came close in 18 minutes when an angled shot from Ryan Jack forced a fine block from Joel Pereira with Morelos sending the rebound wide of the target.
The Ibrox side stepped up the pressure and tested the Keeper again when Jack slipped the ball through to James Tavernier, whose effort was parried clear.
After having defended resolutely throughout the first half, the Hearts looked as if they were going to hang on to half time. Unfortunately, right at the end of regulation time, the defence went to sleep fwhen after failing to clear a corner, Morelos, flicked the ball into the penalty box, leaving Helander to nip through unopposed for an easy opening goal.
Rangers 1 Hearts 0. HT
Hearts had obviously not learnt the defensive lessons at the end of the first half, when just two minutes after the break, they were again caught short again with Morelos knocking in a simple second for Rangers from close range.
Hearts were forced into another change in 52 minutes, introducing Stevie Naismith into the action resulting in a change to the formation. But the Jambos continued to look in disarray as Rangers continued their dominance, piling on the pressure. It felt that it would be only a matter of time before they would add to their lead.
And the duly did in 62 minutes when Morelos struck again after Ryan Kent slipped passed his man with ease, cutting the ball back to the Rangers Striker who made no mistake from ten yards out.
Rangers 3 Hearts 0
With less than 30 minutes remaining, with their game planned collapsed, Hearts were now battling for pride. And they could have gone further behind but for Morelos denied a hat-trick for offside.
With the minutes ticking away, Hearts continued to battle hard to avoid any further damage, offering little in attack themselves. Rangers will no doubt be annoyed at the number of missed chances during what was mostly a one-sided affair.
But the result was the main thing, and having finally ditched their cup hoodoo, the Ibrox Faithfull left the national stadium in full voice and confidence that they will finally get their hands on their first Silverware in a few weeks’ time.
Celtic fans will obviously have other ideas.
