Hampden set for Old Firm final

30 January 2011 17:30
Steven Naismith's second-half winner for Rangers saw off Motherwell 2-1 and set up an Old Firm Co-operative Insurance Cup final at Hampden on March 20. It was far from a classic semi-final at the national stadium even though it was a wonderful strike from Maurice Edu after 20 minutes which gave the Light Blues the interval lead. The hard-working Steelmen stormed back after the break levelling in the 66th minute through Keith Lasley - Jamie Murphy playing the ball in to John Sutton who stretched to lay it off to the former Plymouth player who drilled it low past Neil Alexander from 20 yards. But Naismith's close-range header, after good work by Nikica Jelavic, assured the cup holders the chance to defend the trophy against Celtic. However, on this evidence, and on the evidence of the Hoops' recent form, including their 4-1 semi-final win over Aberdeen on Saturday, Rangers will have to improve if they are to retain the cup although before that, they meet Celtic at Ibrox in the fifth-round of Scottish Cup next week.

Source: PA