Head to head at Hampden

May 25 2008

BOYD v AITKEN

IBROX hitman Kris Boyd gave a sign of his intent early on by charging down Queens' clearances from the back.

Centre half Andy Aitken soon started to get to grips with the powerful Rangers striker and was tracking his every move.

Boyd's critics say he doesn't work hard enough but he definitely was putting in more running in his shift yesterday.

Aitken was shadowing Boyd's movements but the Gers forward managed to spin away from him before laying the ball on a plate for DaMarcus Beasley.

Boyd then did well to get down to a low cross but headed wide.

Aitken was doing his best to block Boyd's runs but could do nothing when the striker opened the scoring in 33 minutes with a magnificent free kick that almost burst the net.

With Rangers soon easing to a 2-0 lead thanks to Beasley's effort Boyd was the man who was on top in this particular duel as the first half drew to a close.

However, like all the other Gers players Boyd was posted missing at the start of the second half with Aitken and his team-mates dominating as they fought back to 2-2.

Rangers soon started to get to grips with the game again and Boyd had a chance when Sasa Papac's shot fell for him but Aitken produced a superb block.

But you can never rule out the Gers hitman and in 72 minutes he timed his leap to perfection at a corner to head in the winner.

The 24-year-old then nearly grabbed his hat-trick but his header was brilliantly saved.

Aitken did everything in his power to contain the Scotland striker but Boyd's class gave him the edge and that fact helped swing this amazing Cup Final in Rangers' favour.

TOSH v FERGUSON

RANGERS captain Barry Ferguson was determined to end the season on a high by winning his fourth Scottish Cup.

Stevie Tosh was hoping to go one step further than he did with Gretna two years ago by getting his hands on the famous trophy.

Ferguson may well have been running on empty given the hectic schedule Rangers have come through but he was able to stroll through the opening 45 minutes as Walter Smith's side took control of the game.

Fergie was able to dictate the tempo as his team cruised into a two goal lead and played a part in their opener when he tapped a free-kick for Kris Boyd to rifle home.

He must have thought he would be getting his hands on the Scottish Cup again when DaMarcus Beasley doubled the advantage before the break.

But Queens were dragged kicking and screaming into this Final by Tosh. The midfielder had been a threat during the first half with some surging runs and one burst ended with a brave save from Rangers keeper Neil Alexander at his feet.

Tosh always likes to gamble with runs into the penalty area and one of those paid off five minutes after the break when he reached a cut-back from Sean O'Connor to force the ball in.

It gave Queens renewed belief and only a couple of minutes later they drew level through Jim Thomson and suddenly a monumental shock was on.

Ferguson passed up a simple chance to give Gers the lead again but once Boyd nodded the third the skipper's experience was key to closing out the game.

O'CONNOR v CUELLAR

SEAN O'CONNOR has been Queen of the South's ace card in the Scottish Cup with five goals on the road to Hampden.

The powerful frontman has caused havoc in opposing defences but was in for a real test against Carlos Cuellar.

The Spaniard - voted the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year - relishes a physical battle and that's exactly what he got from the Palmerston man.

O'Connor signalled his intent when he won the first corner for the underdogs.

But Cuellar's sharp instincts denied the striker from the set-piece as he threw himself in front of the low driven cross.

When the First Division men did attack O'Connor was at the heart of it and just before half time had a claim for a penalty after a Steven Whittaker shove.

Within five minutes of the re-start he played a crucial role in Queens' first goal when he skipped past Cuellar and crossed for Steve Tosh to score.

Cuellar pulled out of the tackle but it could be argued he'd have conceded a penalty.

There was no defence for the Spaniard for Queen's equaliser when he lost Jim Thomson.

It was harsh on the stopper after the season he's had and luckily for him Gers snatched it near the end.