Rangers win Scottish League Cup for first time in 12 years

Image source, SNS

Image caption, James Tavernier's goal proved the difference between the sides at Hampden

Rangers won the Scottish League Cup on Sunday beating Aberdeen 1-0 at Hampden Park.

Captain James Tavernier scored the only goal of the game in the 76th minute.

But the win was a big moment in Rangers' season, so let's dive into why this was a huge win for the players and fans...

First League Cup win in 12 years

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Rangers lift the Viaplay Cup trophy

Let us take you back to 2011...

Little Mix won The X Factor, the final instalment of the Harry Potter films was breaking box office records and the Prince and Princess of Wales had just got married.

It was also the year in which Rangers last won the League Cup!

What we are saying is, it's been a while!

Since that last League Cup win, a lot has happened for the club.

Rangers financially collapsed in 2012, meaning they owed a lot of money and had to dissolve the club and start again from scratch.

They were forced to drop down to the fourth tier of Scottish football, and have worked hard to climb back up the sporting ladder.

But fortunes returned in 2021 when 'The Gers' lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy under the guidance of former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

A big win for a new boss

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, Belgian Philippe Clement has previously managed Monaco in France

This achievement means new Ibrox manager Philippe Clement is now unbeaten in his first 15 games in charge.

He has picked up his first piece of shiny silverware just nine weeks after he started the job!

That's what you call a dream start.

Rangers defender Connor Goldson told 鶹Լ Sport that his new boss has had a massive impact:

"We were in a tough spot and he's come in and given the whole group belief. He's been huge for us, we're full of confidence now. All we want to do is keep winning games and trophies."

Captain Tavernier makes the difference

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Image caption, James Tavernier's 115th goal for Rangers was his 14th against Aberdeen

Captain James Tavernier delivered once again for Rangers.

The right-back has now scored 115 goals for Rangers - an amazing haul for a defender - and no single club has shipped as many to him as Aberdeen.

The goal that won the League Cup was his 14th against Aberdeen since his first more than six years ago.

Tavernier is in his ninth season at the club and has seen them come back from collapse:

"Long overdue," said Tavernier in the aftermath. "We saw it over the line. We want it to be the start of something special. We're getting better and better. We're going from strength to strength."

He's now won all three Scottish trophies, but is hungry for more success: "We're looking to get more," he said. "Keep pushing and keep striving."

Player of the match - Dujon Sterling

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Image caption, Dujon Sterling joined the club in the summer

Signed as a full-back in the summer, Rangers might have just stumbled across their best midfielder after another superb showing in the middle of the park from Dujon Sterling.

Sterling shone in Rangers mid-week Europa League game against Spanish team Real Betis after being chucked on at half-time, and the 24-year-old continued that momentum into a fine Hampden showing.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement praised Dujon Sterling's "versatility".

With Rangers suffering an injury crisis at present, Clement said: "He's really versatile, he's not only a good defender but he's also got good feet. He has a good pass, he has a good shot, he has a good physicality.

"I'm here to find solutions whatever they are so I need to look out of the box, and Dujon was looking out of the box. But at first you need to convince the player of that, you need to train him, and then you need to see it on the field."

So what's next?

Image source, Craig Foy - SNS Group

A trophy just before Christmas might be an exciting thing for the fans to celebrate, but there is a lot left to play for in all other competitions.

Manager Philippe Clement said the team mustn't lose concentration and celebrate too much as they play St Johnstone in the Premiership on Wednesday.

They also play Motherwell on Christmas Eve.

"Now we have to confirm that we are growing over the next few weeks and months" he said.

"We don't speak about the title. The rest of the season is a marathon - that's a different sport. We need to focus on ourselves.

"We need to stay hungry and ambitious, to work hard and grow as a team and a club. If we do that, success comes automatically."

What did you think of Rangers' win? Can they win more trophies this season. Let us know in the comments...