I couldn’t B-elieve I scored on my debut
Cole dreaming of Seville after a call-up from second string
Rangers kid Cole McKinnon hopes he’s booked a seat on the flight to Seville after scoring a dream debut goal against Hearts.
The 19-year-old climbed off the bench to put the seal on this win, hours after being told to turn out for the B team.
A Premiership curtain-closer in the capital included a host of Ibrox fringe players and second-string teenagers who put their Scottish Cup Final opponents to the sword ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League Final against Eintracht Frankfurt in Spain.
Fellow teenager Alex Lowry and forgotten man Cedric Itten were also on the scoresheet as Gio van Bronckhorst’s side fought back from a Peter Haring opener.
Ecstatic McKinnon believes his club are now on the brink of making history against the Bundesliga side and he’s desperate to be there in the flesh.
He said: “It’s amazing. I started off in the B team, we had a friendly at Ibrox, then I got the news I wasn’t playing due to being here. Then I got the chance and I think I took it well so I’m buzzing.
“It’s the best feeling ever to be involved at this time. Everyone is saying it’s a chance for the club to make history so to be a part of that is amazing and hopefully I get to travel out.”
With Lowry once again a stand-out and youngsters Charlie McCann, Tony Weston and Ross McCausland all sampling first-team action, a host of top-team stars were given a rest.
McKinnon aims to build on his moment of glory and make a bid for a first-team spot next season.
He said: “To celebrate in front of the travelling fans was amazing. I would l ike to thank the boss, Craig (Mulholland, academy chief) and Ross (Wilson, sporting director) for giving me this opportunity.
“I always had motivation to push on to where I am and getting to play with the team in front of the fans gives you that bit more. I can’t wait to get back in next season.”
Ten Rangers changes told its own story of an end- of- season formality before the business between these two clubs gets real next weekend.
It was cards close to the chest for both clubs with Hearts making five changes to the team that lost to Motherwell on Wednesday night. All eyes were on who wasn’t handed a start.
The Jambos were able to list Ibrox bound defender John Souttar and fellow defender Craig Halkett on the bench after injury spells, with the smart money on the pair being ready for Saturday’s Hampden showdown.
Michael Smith, Cammy Devlin, Barrie McKay and Ellis Simms all returned to get some pre-final action.
Van Bronckhorst used the occasion to allow Steven Davis the honour of leading out his side for what looks set to be his last league appearance for the club with his contract ending this summer. There was also a first start for young full-back Adam Devine.
Nothing at stake on paper maybe, but there were grander schemes at play for a host of fringe men to make a claim for something more than a bit-part in the glamour of Seville.
None more so than Aaron Ramsey, deployed in an advanced role with James Sands moved from midfield into defence beside Leon Balogun.
Robbie Neilson had taken the gamble of going with some key men and the Jambos boss was a picture of anxiety as Liam Boyce limped off with a groin strain in the 12th minute to be replaced by Josh Ginnelly.
The potential loss of their top scorer just days before Hampden is a nightmare scenario and the perfect illustration of the potential for Hearts to have their Cup Final plan ripped up after going strong in a dead rubber.
Simms was first into the book for a trip on Sands before Davis cracked a shot high and wide from a tight angle in the 19th minute. Moments later, Simms delivered for Hearts on the right only for Sands to intercept as Ginnelly was given a front-post glimpse of goal.
Then came the opener and it was all too easy for the Jambos as Simms turned Sands and rolled a pass into Peter Haring’s path. The Austrian arrowed a low shot into the corner past stranded keeper Jon McLaughlin.
Rangers’ response would arrive 10 minutes later but not before Itten had a shot deflected over the top by the legs of Craig Gordon afterr Ramsey had been the architect of a rapidd attack. k
The Light Blues were level from the resulting corner as Itten bulleted home a header from close-range from Lowry’s flag-kick.
Rangers completed their recovery on the stroke of half-time and it was a goal that underlined the quality in Lowry’s armoury. He accepted a Ramsey pass and curled a low shot past Gordon with the style and guile of a kid with confidence and class.
A McKay effort on the hour mark was inches high as Hearts searched for an equaliser in a match now punctuated with substitutions with Rangers debuts being given to McCausland and McKinnon.
Souttar arrived on the scene in the 68th minute to the sound of cheers from the Rangers fans and some boos from his own support as he prepares to switch allegiance.
Andy Halliday was also given a warm greeting from the home support which chanted his name and Halkett was pitched in for a late run- out.
There was still time for teenager McKinnon to slide in a third for Gers after combining with fellow academy graduate McCausland to complete an afternoon at least someone will never forget.