FINAL ANALYSIS: WHEN TWO SIDES GO TO WAR
GOALKEEPER
Barring any late injury or illness, Wes Foderingham will continue in the first-choice role he has filled all season following his free-transfer arrival from Swindon Town last summer. The 25-year-old has largely been a success, displaying athleticism and strong shot-stopping abilities. Yet he has not been entirely immune to errors or lapses in judgment. And the most eye-catching of those occurred when he last faced Hibs. The way in which Foderingham allowed an Anthony Stokes cross to slip through his hands in last month’s 3-2 defeat at Easter Road doubtless still causes a wince, albeit that it came after the Championship title was already won. Obviously, any repeat of such a high-profile blunder could carry far more serious consequences at Hampden.
DEFENCE
So much of Rangers’ attacking threat emerges from their full-backs, and the consistency of selection in these areas has been little short of astonishing. Both captain Lee Wallace and James Tavernier have a perfect record of appearing in all 49 matches for Mark Warburton’s side. That, of course, is not the only appealing statistic. Right-back Tavernier has marked his first year in Scottish football by scoring 15 times from right-back, including a fair few spectacular strikes from distance. Wallace, the PFA Scotland Championship Player of the Year, has contributed nine goals from the opposite flank, often combining fluently with Barrie McKay. Stopping Wallace and Tavernier from reaching maximum effectiveness will clearly be vital for Hibs, but they will sense an opportunity to strike at Rangers’ central defence. Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson haven’t always convinced over the course of the season, and the latter, in particular, can be exposed for pace. They may also have grown weary of the sight of Jason Cummings. The 20-year-old striker has scored in four of the previous five meetings between the clubs this term.
MIDFIELD
To some degree, Warburton’s deliberations here have been simplified in an unwelcome way by Dominic Ball’s suspension. The on-loan Spurs player has provided valuable defensive ballast on several occasions, not least in the semi-final victory over Celtic. His absence should mean Andy Halliday filling the holding role, with Jason Holt — scorer of 12 goals this season — operating just ahead of him. The final berth within the midfield three will give the Ibrox manager most food for thought. Arsenal loanee Gedion Zelalem may seem the most likely to be included. However, Dean Shiels and Nicky Law — two players whose contracts at Ibrox expire next month — are also both in contention as more experienced alternatives.
ATTACK
Martyn Waghorn’s return from a lengthy absence provides a significant fillip. The scorer of 28 goals before suffering a knee injury at Kilmarnock in mid-February, he played an hour of the final Championship match against St Mirren and was given a further run-out in a closed-doors friendly against a Spurs select. With Harry Forrester still sidelined by a hairline fracture of his leg, Waghorn may well start on the right wing. Kenny Miller is likely to fill the central role as he did in a goalscoring display against Celtic. The 36-year-old has taken his own tally for the season to the 20 mark. On the left, McKay will seek to end a season of personal excellence on a high note. The 21-year-old has thrived under Warburton’s guidance, helping Rangers reach this showpiece with a stunning long-range finish in the Old Firm semi-final.