Brave Hearts suffer narrow loss to Rangers in Scottish Youth Cup final

Darren McInally and Rory Wilson struck in the first half as the Ibrox club seized control. Their opponents from Edinburgh mounted a determined comeback with substitute Murray Thomas scoring in the closing stages, but a late equaliser did not materialise despite Hearts’ best efforts.

Although they had conceded only one goal in this season’s competition prior to kick-off, with striker Makenzie Kirk scoring in every round, their 22-year wait to win this trophy will continue for at least another 12 months.

Both teams lacked nothing in terms of effort and the teenagers on show deserved plaudits for their part in a compelling game of football, with plenty quality on show for the 2,268 crowd.

Evening spring sunshine over Hampden gave way to a slight chill as young protégés from Glasgow and Edinburgh assumed centre stage at the National Stadium. The cup is the most prestigious accolade on the under-18 calendar and the respective coaches, Hearts’ Steven Naismith and Rangers’ Cameron Campbell, named strong sides.

The Ibrox teenagers looked convincing from kick-off, forcing the Hearts goalkeeper Liam McFarlane into three important stops during the first five minutes. Another on ten minutes prevented Wilson’s free-kick nestling in the top corner.

Naismith encouraged his players to work the ball into forward areas and hold it better in an effort to become an attacking threat in the game. He kicked a water bottle in frustration midway through the opening period as Rangers stifled each move made by those in maroon.

Callum Sandilands’ header from Ewan Simpson's cross following a corner was Hearts’ first attempt on target. Simpson, the subject of reported interest from Aston Villa, looked composed in a deep-lying central midfield role.

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