THE SATURDAY JURY
1 Will Europa League Final exertions be a disadvantage or will the hurt drive Rangers on to lift silverware at Hampden?
THAT’S going to be the critical question where this final is concerned. Physically they should have enough left in the tank. But this one could come down to the strength of their emotional resolve. The fear of losing is what should be driving them on.
IT really is hard to tell. There is no doubt the loss and manner of it would have drained Rangers physically and mentally. The mental side will have been the biggest aspect but this Rangers team have proved they are strong on that front.
IT’S similar to 2008 when Rangers crawled over the line against Queen of the South. But they have returned from Europe recently and put in big performances and the fear of ending the season trophyless should spur Rangers on to victory.
2 Hearts are almost at full strength but the big question is – if fit should Robbie Neilson start Ibrox-bound John Souttar?
ABSOLUTELY. Souttar is still his player as well as his most talented central defender. It’s the perfect stage for him to show why Rangers wanted him in the first place.
THE decision is Neilson’s but if he was fit then I would play him. Souttar is 100 per cent a professional and will give everything to help Hearts lift the Scottish Cup in his final game.
YES. Souttar next to Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley is a fantastic three and with Craig Gordon behind them gives Hearts the best platform to win. There is no doubt about Souttar’s professionalism.
3 Gio Van Bronckhorst has revealed Allan McGregor won’t play for Rangers at Hampden. Is that the right call?
NO. Jon McLaughlin may have helped to get them here but Wednesday’s defeat was a game-changer where this decision is concerned. Of all people, McGregor deserved the chance to go out as a winner.
IT would have been harsh on McLaughlin if he’d been dropped, having played in the majority of the domestic cup ties. The pull of it possibly being McGregor’s last game might have come into the thinking but van Bronckhorst would not let that cloud his judgment.
NORMALLY I’d say yes. McLaughlin has got them there and deserves to keep the shirt. But if this is to be McGregor’s last season he should have been afforded the chance to play in his first Scottish Cup Final appearance having been on the bench for all three of his previous wins.
4 If Hearts win who could claim to having the better season – Gers in second and a Euro final or Jambos’ third with a cup?
THERE’S no black and white answer. It could be argued that 2003 was Celtic’s season even though Rangers won a domestic Treble and the same rule applies after Rangers’ run to Seville. But if Hearts win the Cup then they’ll have more than just what-could-have-beens to look back on.
IT’S very hard to compare. If Hearts win the Cup and finish third in the league then it would have been a great season. It would be a disappointment for Rangers if they finished emptyhanded but it would still have been an achievement making the Europa League Final.
HEARTS. It would make a good season a phenomenal one and elevate Robbie Neilson on to a new level. It would also mean Rangers finish runners-up in three competitions and only add to the feeling of ‘what if?’.