RANGERS U18’s lifted the Scottish FA Youth Cup this evening with a 2-1 victory over Hearts at Hampden Park.
Darren McInally and Rory Wilson gave Rangers a two goal lead at the break before Murray Thomas was on target for Hearts late in the second-half.
Rangers lined-up with Jack McConnell in goal and a back four of Jack Harkness, Kevin Cuibotaru, Connor Allan and Greig Allen.
Captain Mackenzie Strachan was joined in midfield by Darren McInally and Charlie Lindsay, while Robbie Ure and Tyler Pasnik supported striker Rory Wilson up front.
Rangers started bright and Kevin Ciubotaru did well to win the ball back just inside the Hearts half before playing in Rory Wilson, he cut it back to Charlie Lindsay but his long-range effort was wide of the target.
The Light Blues were pressing early in this match and forced the Hearts defence into a mistake inside the box. Rory Wilson’s initial effort was blocked by Liam McFarlane before the Hearts keeper pulled off another good stop to deny Robbie Ure from the rebound.
There was another fantastic save from McFarlane inside the opening five minutes as Robbie Ure showed his strength to win the ball back at the byline before cutting it back to Wilson but the Hearts keeper was again strong to deny Rangers an early breakthrough.
Cameron Campbell’s side were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position with 10 minutes on the clock as Rory Wilson was fouled just on the edge of the box. The striker stepped up to the set-piece himself but McFarlane got a strong hand to his curling right-footed strike to keep it out.
Hearts had their first shot on target as they won a corner shortly after. The short corner was played out to Ewan Simpson who whipped a ball into the back post which Callum Sandilands got his head to but the ball was gathered by Rangers number one Jack McConnell.
The Edinburgh side were finding their feet in this match and had another good opportunity as Bobby McLuckie’s cross was turned towards goal by Macauley Tait but it was deflected over the bar by a Gers defender.
However, the early Rangers paid off in the 33rd minute as a corner was swung into the box by Mackenzie Strachan and fell for Darren McInally. It was a fantastic finish from the youngster who took touch before hitting the ball with power beyond McFarlane.
Gers had the ball in the net for a second time shortly after as Mackenzie Strachan picked out the run of Ure who slotted into the bottom corner but the linesman had his flag up for offside.
Mackenzie Kirk dragged a shot just wide of McConnell’s right-hand post as Hearts looked for a quick reply in this cup final.
However, it was Rangers who went in two goals ahead at the break. Kevin Ciubotaru whipped a dangerous ball in from the left which Rory Wilson hit on the volley. Despite a strong performance from Liam McFarlane so far in this final the Hearts keeper was unable to get a hold on the shot as it bounced underneath him and into the back of the net.
Hearts were first to have a sight of goal in the second-half as they looked to get a way back into this final. Mackenzie Kirk was in a good position at the corner of the box to take a shot but it was deflected wide.
Rangers broke up the other end and came inches away from getting a third as Charlie Lindsay’s low strike was just inches wide of the post.
Clear-cut chances were limited for both sides in this second-half as Rangers looked to deal with some Hearts pressure.
Substitute James Graham went on a strong solo run with 10 minutes of the game remaining before getting a shot away at goal but it was saved by McFarlane.
With 82 minutes on the clock Hearts were back in this cup tie. Their second-half substitute Murray Thomas picked up the ball on the edge of the box and took a touch into the area to set-up a right footed shot which he guided beyond Jack McConnell.
The goal gave Hearts a lift heading into the final stages of the game as Bobby McLuckie headed over from a free-kick before Jack McConnell did well to block a close range effort from James Wilson.
However, Rangers managed to see the game out to lift the 2021/22 Scottish FA Youth Cup.
RANGERS: McConnell, Harkness, Ciubotaru, Allan, Allen, Strachan, McInally (Dunlop, 75), Lindsay, Wilson (Roberts, 90), Ure, Pasnik (Graham, 70)
Subs: Pazikas, McKay, Ewen, Webster.
HEARTS: McFarlane, Friel (Ross, 66), Aitken, Flatman, Tait, Pollock, Kirk (Wilson, 23), Sandilands (Thomas, 46), Simpson, McLuckie, Rathie.
Subs: Paris, Forrester, Nair, Gordon.
Referee: Harry Bruce
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