Jambos' Jimbo spot on

AS the 113th Scottish Cup Final kicked off a minute early I recalled similar timing 22 years ago.

On that occasion, the early start allowed big Derek Johnstone to score before 3pm for Rangers against Hearts as the Ibrox side completed the Treble.

And before I even finished the thought, referee Willie Young was pointing to the penalty spot - wrongly - to give Hearts the chance to reverse that moment from back in 1976.

This time Colin Cameron duly accepted and Hearts were off to the kind of start that they could only have dreamed about.

"There's not a team like the GLASGOW Rangers," countered the Ibrox legions, defiant as ever.

They were supporting three Italians, three Scandinavians, two English-born-and-accented Scots, and a Swedish-born Scot with a strong South African twang.

Gordon Durie was born in Paisley, leaving my old pal Ian Ferguson as the only Glaswegian and doing what he does best - snapping at heels.

He was penalised for a challenge OUTSIDE the box.

Rangers made tactical changes at the back but play was ordinary as the Ibrox side attacked the building site end of Parkhead.

Smile

Couldn't the SFA have covered the eyesore with colourful banners?

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies opted for caution, leaving Jim Hamilton and John Robertson on the bench.

But he called it absolutely right as his line-up contained Rangers' rushes.

And keeper Gilles Rousset atoned for previous blunders by handling well.

Rangers could do just one thing - bring on Ally McCoist. He laughed and chatted up the ref who responded with a smile.

But it didn't matter much as an Italian blunder - Amoruso - allowed a Frenchman - Adam - to seal it for Hearts.

That left Rangers - despite a McCoist goal - failing to win a trophy for the first time since the Souness-Smith era began in 1986.

Now, after 36 years, we can genuinely sing: "Hearts, Hearts, Glorious Hearts."

Their fans' expectations will be higher next season.

In this moment of triumph the pressure has just begun!