HEARTS SKIP TO THE BEAT; Final drama as Jambos clinch it.

Hearts, Hearts, glorious Hearts! A trophy famine of 36 years ended here amid a feast of unbridled joy.

It was a story of two spot-kicks. One given to the Jambos the other denied to Gers in a nerve- shredding finish but who could deny Hearts their day in the sun after suffering so much.

They often looked as if they might be swept away but retained their composure in a cool, controlled display as a Rangers era ended in the bitter tears of defeat.

Colin Cameron's first minute penalty and Stephane Adam's clinical second clinched it before Hearts survived a courageous late onslaught that produced a late consolation from Ally McCoist.

So much pressure, so much debate has centred on referees this season and within 33 SECONDS Celtic Park was a simmering bowl of controversy as Willie Young awarded Hearts a hugely debatable penalty.

It was a thrilling run from the bleached-blond Fulton that sparked panic and he eventually tumbled to the deck under Ian Ferguson's tackle with Sergio Porrini toiling in the Jambos' playmaker's slipstream.

My gut reaction was that Fulton had somewhat thrown himself and TV evidence proved the incident was OUTSIDE the box.

Young's courage had to be commended but he got it WRONG, simple as that.

It was an incredible start but amidst the tumult Cameron kept so cool and thumped the opener high into Andy Goram's top left hand corner. His ninth goal of the season and never had one been so crucial.

Rangers roared back though and Rino Gattuso and Brian Laudrup tested Gilles Rousset with drives that the Frenchman - whose 1996 howler inspired Gers' 5-1 triumph - held well.

In his last game before departing to Chelsea, Laudrup looked desperate to say goodbye on a high and he tormented Dave McPherson before forcing over a 14th minute cross.

Norwegian Stale Stensaas, whom many had expected would miss out after a troubled first season, seized on it to rifle a right foot drive just over.

In his swansong Gers boss Walter Smith - who had allowed No.2 Archie Knox to lead out the team - had seen his plans ripped to shreds in the first minute.

In a game often tainted by cynicism as the fans drift further away from the pounds 25,000-a-week superstar this Cup Final stubbornly dragged you back to the game's emotional roots. After all, it was the clash of two fans - Jim Jefferies and Smith - who became bosses of the clubs they love.

Smith was bringing his reign to a close in his 385th game as boss. Before this he'd lost just 62 and lifted 13 domestic honours.

And after that nightmare start his Gers side were storming forward.

Jefferies flew from his dug-out when Lorenzo Amoruso checked Adam but Young waved play on and this final was ripping along at a frightening pace.

Perhaps Jeff recalled a key incident in the 4-3 Coca-Cola Cup Final two years ago on the same spot when his Jambos didn't get the shout and Paul Gascoigne scored but they were grimly hanging on here.

Then big Lorenzo decided to take a hand when Stuart McCall touched a free-kick to him 35 yards out and he shelled in a shot that Rousset pawed away from the top corner.

Hearts though began to get free of the shackles that had been clamped on them since that amazing opener.

Fulton was always the orchestrator but at the end of one flowing move Neil McCann clearly dived in the box when he clashed with Richard Gough.

Somehow ref Young decided that wasn't a booking then proceeded to hand the Hearts winger a 40th minute yellow card when he WAS fouled by Jocky Bjorklund.

Right on the break Gattuso freed Porrini for a cross that was only scrambled clear to Laudrup and although his 12-yard shot was smothered a little by a block it trundled past Rousset and bounced clear off the keeper's right-hand post.

So often in his time as Gers chief Smith has been accused of being cagey using subs. The end of his era has seen him pitch them on with abandon. That was the case here again as he turned to veteran gunslinger McCoist for Stensaas and switched to four at the back.

McCoist immediately showed a clumsy touch inside the box from a Gattuso cross before he rattled a pass from Laudrup into the sidenetting.

Little Rino picked up yet another booking before the dominant Gers were stunned by the Jambos' second seven minutes into the second-half.

Rousset launched forward a free-kick and as Amoruso dithered the excellent Adam stole in to chest the ball down and rifle a shot across Goram. Despite a touch from the keeper it crept into the far corner.

Now Rangers were deep in the mire and Durie picked up the game's third booking for hacking down McCann.

And Thomas Flogel directed a free header straight at Goram.

Rousset saved magnificently from McCoist on his six-yard line before McCallwas replaced by Ian Durrant.

Bell's Young Player of the Year Paul Ritchie, now charged with keeping tabs on McCoist, had a storming game and must be Craig Brown's first pick for new Scotland after France 98.

But Ally just needs one glimpse and Gattuso threaded Coisty in to drill low past Rousset from 20 yards with just nine minutes to go.

Amoruso, Hearts sub Jim Hamilton and Durrant were booked soon after.

There was more nerve-jangling drama as McCoist hurtled clear to be decked by David Weir. For me this WAS a penalty and inside the box but Young ran right to the 18-yard line and gave a free-kick instead.

Laudrup shot tamely against the wall and it was over. A final that will long live in your mind for the sheer unadulterated drama and that tale of two penalties.

HEARTS: Rousset, McPherson, Naysmith, Weir, Salvatori, Ritchie, McCann, Fulton, Adam, Cameron, Flogel. Subs: Hamilton, Murray, Robertson.

RANGERS: Goram, Porrini, Stensaas, Gough, Amoruso, Bjorklund, Gattuso, Ferguson, Durie, McCall, Laudrup. Subs: McCoist, Durrant, Moore.

REF: Willie Young (Clarkston).

Taken from the Daily Record