Weir celebrates

By FOS Editor
March 20 2011

Rangers upset pre-game favourites Celtic by taking the first silverware of the season with an extra time win at Hampden this afternoon.

It was a much calmer affair than the recent Scottish Cup Final replay although it wasn’t short of some controversy. Rangers were denied a penalty in the first half and then scored from a contested free kick in extra time.

Rangers lined up with two up front with Naismith supporting Jelavic but Celtic were along the normal lines and lined up pretty much as expected.

The opening stages were all about sparring with Jelavic tamely volleying into the arms of Foster, and Lafferty seeing a shot deflected over. While at the other end Scott Brown came close with a diving header.

The deadlock was broken on 24 minutes when Davis intercepted a weak headed clearance and drove to the edge of the box to strike a shot in off the left hand post of Foster.

The lead only lasted seven minutes with Celtic scoring when Rangers failed to defend a throw in properly. This allowed Izaguerre to cross from the left, Samaras flicked the ball on to the on rushing Ledley to head past Alexander.

On 33 minutes it looked as though Rangers had been awarded a penalty, Jelavic fell under the challenge of Rogne. Ref Thomson pointed to the spot before quickly changing his mind and booking the Croat for diving.

There were limited chances in the second period with the best falling to Joe Ledley who saw a snap shot from close range well held by Alexander. This meant the game had to go to an extra 30 minutes.

The first chance was from a Jelavic free kick which deflected off the wall but Foster adjusted well to save. Then Rangers took the lead, Weiss looked to be tripped just inside the Celtic half, with the ref prepared to play on the linesman on the far side flagged for the free kick.

Weiss quickly took the kick and released Jelavic who poked the ball past Foster and the ball struck the same post as Davis did in the first half and trickled along the line and in at the other post.

Celtic were reduced to ten men in the final minute, Rangers cleared a corner and with Foster up for the corner and Weiss about to break into the Celtic half Izaguerre blocked Weiss and was shown a straight red.

Over the 120 minutes Rangers probably just edged the game and deserved to take the trophy on Walter Smith’s last game in charge of the club in a Cup Final at Hampden.

Many of the players who had been written off in the Rangers ranks, with David Weir outstanding at the back and Davis a driving force in midfield then Jelavic getting the winner. In the Celtic ranks there was disappointing performances from Samaras, Kommons and Hoper who made no impression on the Rangers rearguard.