MATTHEW LINDSAY
Rangers 2-1 Hearts
Playing in such a draining match against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final in Sevilla on Thursday night will have taken a toll on the Rangers players.
But they managed to beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final just days after being taken to extra-time by Braga last month and I think they will still have enough to edge the final.
James Tavernier and his team mates will certainly have a huge point to prove following their agonising midweek loss.
CHRIS JACK
Rangers 2-1 Hearts
The physical and mental exertions of Wednesday night will still leave a Seville hangover but Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side will find the cure at Hampden.
It is must win and no extra motivation is required. Changes will be made but Rangers should prove too strong on the day as Van Bronckhorst rallies his troops for one final push this term.
GRAEME MCGARRY
Rangers 2 Hearts 1
It has been a hugely draining week for Rangers in both a physical and emotional sense following their Europa League Final loss, and it will be interesting to see if they can lift themselves sufficiently to meet the challenge posed by a highly motivated and highly capable Hearts side.
It is going to take one hell of an effort to get over the line, but I fancy that their extra quality will see them through a hard-fought contest, and give them the solace of some silverware after the disappointment of midweek.
KENNETH WARD
Rangers 0 Hearts 2
Rangers showed incredible powers of recovery in the semi-final when they prevailed in extra-time against Celtic having just beaten RB Leipzig after 120 minutes just days before to reach the Europa League final. The disappointment of losing that showpiece against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday after another draining two hours followed by a shootout on Wednesday night in the sizzling heat of Seville ought to have emptied the tank for the Ibrox side. Hearts, meanwhile, having sealed up third place in the Premiership long ago, have been able to focus all their energy on this tie since seeing off city rivals Hibs at Hampden last month. And with star striker Liam Boyce back in the side, they should be able to find the target at the national stadium.
AIDAN SMITH
Hearts 2 Rangers 1
Wednesday evening in the scorching Seville heat will have taken it out of Rangers both physically and mentally. Hearts are fresh and heading into the cup final with confidence after an impressive Premiership campaign. It’ll be a tight competitive match at the national stadium but I can just see Hearts nicking it. The pressure is on Rangers and Robbie Neilson’s side will take advantage.
JAMES CAIRNEY
Rangers 3-2 Hearts
I think we could be in for an entertaining spectacle in Mount Florida this afternoon where both sides will throw caution to the wind, and I believe Rangers will ultimately triumph.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men flagged a little as the game wore on due to their midweek exertions in Seville and I think it could be a nervy finish for supporters of the Ibrox club.
I expect Hearts to give the Europa League runners-up a run for their money and I think they’ll get on the scoresheet, but I believe Rangers’ superior quality will get them in front fairly early on. I can see a spirited fight back from Robbie Neilson’s players but I don’t think it will be enough.
DAVID IRVINE
Rangers 1 Hearts 2 (AET)
This one really could go either way but after an energy-sapping Europa League final and agonising shoot-out defeat Rangers could be leggy.
Hearts have had full focus on the final and certainly possess the quality needed to hurt Rangers.
I think this could go all the way but Hearts might just edge it in extra-time.
EWAN PATON
Rangers 3 Hearts 2 (AET)
There’s no doubt Robbie Neilson’s side will be rubbing their hands ahead of this one after watching the Light Blues go through the ringer on Wednesday night and all the emotion that came with that defeat. However, Rangers have proved the fitness levels in their squad are top drawer and I could see that coming in handy again this weekend at the national stadium. It will be a tight, high-scoring and entertaining affair.
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