RANGERS striker Brian Laudrup talked yesterday of how he wanted to end his four years at Ibrox on a high by lifting the Scottish Cup.
However, Laudrup, who will be joining Chelsea, and his striking partner, Gordon Durie, believe they will have their work cut out to overcome a resolute Hearts team. Meanwhile, midfield man Stuart McCall said he felt the Ibrox side ''owed the fans a trophy'' after losing out on the league.
Laudrup and Durie said at Ibrox yesterday that they believed Hearts had improved significantly since the last time the clubs met in the Scottish Cup final two years ago when Rangers won 5-1.
By his own admission, it was one of the Dane's best performances in a Rangers jersey. He even indulged in a spot of ball juggling, something he said was not meant to antagonise the opponents, but was done as an indication of how well the game was going.
Laudrup said the Ibrox men had put the disappointment of this year's league campaign behind them and were now focused on Saturday. ''Some people will have Rangers as favourites but you don't win titles by just being the favourites. We have to go out and prove it,'' he said. Looking back to the 5-1 game Laudrup, said: ''I believe it will be a lot tighter this time. Last time round, they lost Gary Locke early on, and we got a goal through an error by their goalkeeper. Hearts are a better side now than they were then.''
The Dane said the Ibrox club's impressive record against Hearts in recent years would count for nothing on Saturday as the cup final was a one-off occasion in for which both sets of players would be well prepared.
He would not comment on the row over his transfer to Chelsea or be drawn too deep into the arguments over players signing contracts with one club when they were still playing for another.
Reminiscing over his four years at Ibrox, Laudrup described it as invaluable experience.''I have learned a lot, especially in terms of taking more aggression into the game during my time in Scotland.
''When I came to Ibrox it was to win trophies and it would be great to finish that way on Saturday. It will be my last game in four wonderful years in front of great supporters. No matter what else is happening, I will be going out after the game to celebrate my time with the club.''
One man looking forward to the cup final with some justification is striker Durie, who has a good goal-scoring record against Hearts for both his former club Hibs, and Rangers. He said they would be up against a quality Hearts side which has played good football all season.
''Jim Jefferies has put together a squad this year which shows they are good enough to challenge with the best of us,'' added Durie. ''Hearts will be up for the match, but we have the added incentive of playing for the boys who are leaving, and the gaffer as well.'' Durie pointed out that although losing the league had been a major disappointment, the players had had a good week's training and were now focused on the match.
Midfield man McCall said that during his seven years at Ibrox, the club had won many games through their hunger and desire, attributes he believed would take them to victory on Saturday.
McCall said: ''The disappointment of losing the title will act as a spur to us. Contrary to what people think, we didn't lose the league in the last few weeks, we lost it because we had been too inconsistent throughout the season.''
McCall said it was ironic that Hearts in fact had been one of the teams Rangers had been consistent against this season, and said the confidence taken from victories over the Tynecastle side was good for confidence.
However, McCall warned that he believed Hearts might think that destiny was on their side. ''From their point of view they will be thinking it will be third time lucky as we have beaten them twice in three years in cup finals,'' he said.
''Hearts have had a tremendous season and I think it will be another good open game.
''There is a lot of emotion over Saturday building up, it is a lot of people's farewell games, and I believe that this season more than any other we owe the fans a trophy. There is a lot of determination in the camp to do just that.''
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