ENDING CUP WAIT AFTER UPS AND DOWNS IS ‘SPECIAL’ FOR ARFIELD

SCOTT ARFIELD admitted winning Rangers’ first Scottish Cup for 13 years provided a ‘special’ conclusion to a rollercoaster season. Three days on from losing the Europa League final on penalties, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side saw off Hearts in extra-time at Hampden thanks to expertly-taken goals from substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright. It ensured some silverware at the end of a 65-game campaign in which Rangers’ title defence faded after the winter break. ‘It feels marvellous,’ said Arfield. ‘I’m buzzing, delighted, happy, satisfied, everything that winning the cup should be. ‘This is special as it’s a trophy that has evaded us for a number of years, so it feels amazing to lift it. ‘You should have seen the dressing room at the end as everyone knows the importance of this cup. Domestically, since I have been here, we have fallen short and it always hurts going into the summer. In the league, we fell short as well and we only have ourselves to blame for that. In January time, it fell away from us. ‘In the Europa League final, it was down to one kick and any of us could have done that. To win this trophy feels brilliant, no doubt about it.’ Rangers dominated Hearts after the opening 45 minutes, with Arfield pointing to the Hampden pitch as one factor behind their improved display. ‘In the first half, the pitch was sticky and it was dry,’ added Arfield. ‘Hearts came in and they played it to (Ellis) Simms and (Liam) Boyce and looked for the second ball which caused us problems. ‘We were trying to probe and get the first goal and, if we did, the game might have settled down, but it never happened. It was a bit nervy. ‘They watered the pitch at half-time and in the second half we got into better positions. ‘Connor (Goldson) and Leon (Balogun) had the ball, with Calvin (Bassey) on the left playing it to Ryan Kent and we created numerous chances. ‘Sometimes in these competitions it doesn’t go your way so quickly and you have to dig deep and find special moments like the two goalscorers did.’ Captain James Tavernier was equally delighted to bounce back from the intense disappointment of Seville and highlighted the exceptional fitness levels within the Rangers squad. Asked how it felt to win the cup, he said: ‘Beautiful. You know, it’s been a disappointing week because we really wanted to push over the line in the Europa. ‘But to finish this off and finish the season with a trophy is the main thing. ‘We knew if we took them to extra-time we were fitter than them. We kept going, kept pushing and we did it.’