Miserly defenders deliver the goods

Alex Smith, doyen of Scottish coaches, assesses the tactics that produced a winning performance

A GOAL early in any game changes the pattern of play, but when it comes moments into a match as big as the Scottish Cup final, the best laid plans can go out of the window.

Hearts did their best to stick to their game-plan, however, and they won the trophy they have craved for so long because they could rely on an outstanding defence.

Gilles Rousset, their goalkeeper, may have got the vote for Man of the Match, but, for me, the star performer was Gary Naysmith, the 19-year-old.

He deserves the plaudits, closely followed by Paul Ritchie.

The two young defenders provided a solid platform at the back for Jim Jefferies' team.

When you are as young as those two are, there are nerves, but no fear.

Along with David Weir and Dave McPherson, they ensured that, for the bulk of the game, Hearts could comfortably let Rangers come on to them with little sign that their opponents could craft an opening that would really threaten Rousset's goal.

Hearts were content to allow Rangers possession, and, in the first half, Walter Smith's players did not show much goal threat, especially as Gordon Durie was too often isolated up front.

The situation changed at the start of the second half, with the introduction of Ally McCoist.

He may be coming to the end of his career, but he produced some genuine pressure.

In any Cup final, there are always moments that prove significant, and I would pick out the Brian Laudrup shot that hit the post at the end of the first half and McCoist's shot in the second half, which was brilliantly blocked by Rousset.

McCoist was handicapped because the ball was too close to his body, so he didn't have the space he needed to pick his spot; it had to be a snap-shot and Rousset was in the right place to block it.

Many pundits had talked about the midfield contest before the match, with Rangers missing so many key players such as Jonas Thern and Jorg Albertz.

There was little creativity in the midfield, from either team, but there's an old saying in football that you have to win your battles before you can be victorious in war, and Hearts won the battle they had to.

For creativity, you had to look further upfield to Laudrup and Stephane Adam.

I was particularly impressed with Hearts' French striker, because even when his team did not have the ball, he always looked capable of providing a threat.

Hearts may have rode their luck in the period immediately after half-time, as Rangers enjoyed their best spell of the game, but the Ibrox outfit were once again their own worst enemy.

Having seized the initiative after the break, they then conceded a sloppy second goal when Lorenzo Amoruso dwelt on the ball and Adam stole in to dispossess him and score.

It summed up Rangers' disappointing season.

They have been guilty of conceding sloppy goals and it has not just been one player's fault.

Right across the team there have been individual errors which have cost them dear.

Hearts deserved the trophy for picking a game-plan that worked.

There have been times this season when the Old Firm have exposed weaknesses within the Tynecastle side, but yesterday they were the stronger, more organised side.

And that began at the back.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk