Rangers 2-2 Hearts (Rangers win 8-7 on pens)



LIAM KELLY was the hero for Rangers as he saved four penalties and scored the winner in a dramatic 8-7 shoot-out victory over Hearts in the SFA Youth Cup final.

A pulsating first 90 minutes saw Hearts lead twice through first-team stars Sam Nicholson and Billy King.

But on both occasions Gers showed great spirit to claw their way back into the contest, with Greg Pascazio and Craig Halkett restoring parity.

The Light Blues were the better team in extra-time but couldn’t force a winner and that meant the game went to spot kicks.

Things swung both ways as every outfield player took a kick and the score moved to 7-7, leaving the keepers to take one each themselves.

And after Kelly slotted his away superbly, he kept out opposite number Jordan Millar to win the trophy.

The success was Gers’ first in the competition for six years and it goes some way towards making up for the disappointment of missing out on an SPFL Under-20 League success.

Rangers made three changes to the side which lost 2-0 to Celtic a week ago, a result which ultimately cost them the title.

Out went over-aged players Kyle Hutton and Robbie Crawford, while Jamie Burrows dropped to the bench and Dylan Dykes, Darren Ramsay and Danny Stoney came in.

These teams drew 1-1 at Murray Park in February and although Gers then won 4-1 in Newtongrange last month, it was against a much younger team.

Indeed, had it not been for the Tynecastle’s troubles in the last year or so, their under-20 side would undoubtedly have been far stronger this season than their position suggests.

Although they finished bottom of the 16-club age group competition, that was largely because the Edinburgh outfit’s best young talents were being utilised at senior level.

Their starting line-up in Paisley had a combined total of 160 first-team appearances to its credit in 2013/14.

By contrast, Gers had just seven and six of those were Calum Gallagher’s, with Charlie Telfer’s brief cameo at Stenhousemuir the other.

It wasn’t a great surprise to see a more experienced Hearts team start brightest but while they created a couple of half chances, there was nothing of great note that troubled Liam Kelly.

Nicholson volleyed wide but only after the flag had gone up then Callum Paterson shot over when Kelly spilled King’s free kick.

The Light Blues hit back and lone striker Gallagher was their obvious outlet as he put a through ball past the post.

Ramsay also had a go after being fed by the forward and he drew a good save from Millar before Gallagher put the rebound wide.

Just when the Ibrox outfit were beginning to look more comfortable, the Jambos came back into the game and started to pull the strings in the central area.

And after Gallagher had had a header save at one end, Kelly couldn’t keep out Nicholson at the other as he put Robbie Neilson’s men in front on the half hour mark.

The keeper did well in the first instance to save from the winger after he got on the end of Paterson’s deep cross to the back post.

But Nicholson then reacted quickest to the rebound as the ball spilled and steered home from close range to make it 1-0.

Rangers’ response was slow in coming and if anything, Hearts looked more likely to press further ahead than be pegged back.

Durie’s players eventually got themselves going again and Telfer made space for himself before being charged down as he shot from the edge of the area.

But after the restart it was Neilson’s side that was on top and they could have extended their advantage before it disappeared instead.

Paterson headed over and Gary Oliver found his way through but Kelly saved well from a tight angle to deny him.

Oliver then got the better of the keeper and should have made it 2-0 but somehow put the ball into the side netting.

That proved to be a turning point and seven minutes after Durie threw on Burrows and Barrie McKay, Gers had made it 1-1.

The equaliser came from an unlikely source though as Pascazio netted with a shot which took a big deflection on its way in.

Gallagher did really well to bring a cross from the left down and with nothing on, he laid off to the full-back who converted from 25 yards.

Sadly Hearts were back in front just after the hour mark as they charged upfield once more with purpose.

King struck as he forced into the net at the second attempt after Angus Beith’s effort was blocked by Pascazio on the line.

Once again, the onus was on Gers to bounce back and they did their best to, with McKay – back after spending the second half of the season on loan to Morton – curling over.

Burrows was then denied by Millar before being set up by Telfer but the Jersey-born striker pulled his low effort a yard off target.

Scott Roberts, on for Ramsay, had more time than he appreciated as he headed straight at the keeper.

And as Millar then found himself stranded, Gallagher tried to lob him but cleared the upright and with that it seemed the game was slipping away from Rangers.

But then, just when it seemed the cup would be heading to the capital, the Light Blues scored a dramatic second leveller with a couple of minutes to go.

Halkett’s delight was clear as he headed in with a flicked finish past Millar from a long ball upfield and extra-time beckoned.

With their tails up, Gers went into the additional half hour with momentum for the first time and they pushed to go in front themselves.

Pascazio put a header over, Burrows’ pace caused all sorts of problems and McKay had one shot blocked before he guided another just wide.

Burrows and Roberts were both kept out too and when the ball finally did end up in the net, Luca Gasparotto was flagged offside.

With seven minutes remaining, it looked like there was finally a winner coming Durie’s team’s way as McKay broke clear from defence and found Burrows.

But after a phenomenal run from deep, his touch coming into the box let him down and the chance was lost.

Time was ticking away and with seconds to go, Hearts looked like they had won it but Dale Carrick’s curler cracked off the post and the game went to kicks from the mark.

Gasparotto and Jordan McGhee had their opening efforts saved before Telfer and Carrick both netted.

Gallagher scored then Aaron Scott’s attempt was saved and that gave Gers the initiative but after McKay and Liam Smith both scored, Halkett missed.

Beith netted to take the shoot-out to sudden death and there was even more drama as Sinnamon and Liam Gordon both had their shots kept out.

Pascazio showed nerves of steel to keep Rangers ahead and when Paterson netted too, the stage was set for Kelly and he did the rest.

RANGERS: Kelly; Pascazio, Halkett, Gasparotto, Sinnamon; Stoney (Burrows 53), Dykes (McKay 53), Murdoch, Telfer, Ramsay (Roberts 73); Gallagher.

SUBS NOT USED: McMinn, Gibson.

Great win. Well done the Rangers keeper.