HOW THEY RATED.

Hearts

GILLES ROUSSET: All eyes were on the big man after his Final blunder two years ago. Two early stops from Gattuso and Laudrup settled him. Incredible point blank stop from McCoist on the hour.

8

DAVE McPHERSON: Been through it all before and it showed. Saw a lot of action down his side but knew his limitations and he dealt with any threat comfortably. Grateful for the help of Flogel.

6

GARY NAYSMITH: Questions were asked but the Scotland babe answered them standing up well when faced with Laudrup in full flight. Grew in confidence in the second half with a couple of great tackles.

7

DAVIE WEIR: Read the game well and made his job look easier than it was. Cool under pressure, he always took the simple option although early passing was a bit astray. Busier when McCoist appeared.

7

STEFANO SALVATORI: One of the unsung heroes, a grafter who puts in a vast amount of work in midfield, freeing Cameron and Fulton and keeping the team together. Did everything asked of him.

7

PAUL RITCHIE: Immense. Took a drubbing in the 96 Final but showed how much he had matured. Marshalled Durie well throughout and never allowed him an inch. Also policed McCoist well.

9

NEIL McCANN: Inspired last time the two met in a Final, he struggled to get past the pace of Bjorklund. Lucky he wasn't booked for a dive, then unlucky he WAS yellow carded when he was fouled.

6

STEVIE FULTON: Came to play and showed it early when he beat Ferguson for pace to win a penalty in the first minute. Always wanted the ball but was forced back a lot under the constant Rangers pressure.

7

STEPHANE ADAM: Magnificent. Spent most of the game on his own but great movement for his midfield to aim at. Created the penalty opening and showed he can finish, when he sacked Amoruso to net the second.

8

COLIN CAMERON: Not many would fancy the responsibility but wee Mickey produced the perfect penalty under pressure. Rangers' possession didn't let him get beyond the front players as often as he liked.

7

THOMAS FLOGEL: Didn't show much in attack but gave great help to McPherson and kept the Jambos' shape well. Rangers' switch to a back four after half- time allowed him to break forward more.

6

Rangers

ANDY GORAM: No chance with Cameron's penalty then a virtual spectator for the rest of the first half. Got a strong hand to Adam's shot for the second and was a shade unlucky not to deny Stephane.

6

SERGIO PORRINI: Played the right of a three in the first half and had his usual solid game although never under much pressure. Reliable, especially without the pace of Bjorklund as cover.

6

STALE STENSAAS: Has toiled all year and looked out of place in the big game atmosphere. Gave Laudrup little help and was rightly hooked at half time for McCoist. No surprise that changed the game.

4

RICHARD GOUGH: The skipper was looking for a big farewell but had run out of inspirational fightbacks. Never troubled at the back for long spells, he did his job but was let down by others.

6

LORENZO AMORUSO: Took over free-kick duties from suspended Jorg Albertz and tested Rousset with a stunning 35-yarder but the rest found row Z. Badly caught by Adam for Hearts' second.

5

JOCKY BJORKLUND: Played at right wing back to combat McCann, which he did well. But his distribution simply isn't good enough to be playing that position. Posed no threat at all going forward.

5

RINO GATTUSO: Tenacious as ever, snapping at everyone's heels and - as usual - earning himself a booking. Got forward more than usual and did well to set up Ally McCoist's counter late in the game.

7

IAN FERGUSON: There to do his usual anchor role which he managed but he rarely contributed going forward or helped the front men out. A disappointing way to bow out of Ibrox.

5

GORDON DURIE: Put in his usual hard shift but was isolated too often and suffered from a lack of support from the middle. Frustration started to get to him and he was booked for a foul on McCann.

6

STUART McCALL: Grafted hard but another who'll be disappointed with his attacking contribution. Distribution was poor and was subbed for Durrant, who was highly influential for 20 minutes.

5

BRIAN LAUDRUP: Gave all he had to bow out a winner but the magic that has lit up these games in the past just didn't kick in. Still Gers' most potent threat and hit the post in the first half.

8

Taken from the Daily Record