Rangers will face Celtic in the final of the Scottish Cup after squeezing past Hearts at Hampden.

Philippe Clement's side shrugged off their recent league woes to claim victory at the national stadium courtesy of a Cyriel Dessers double.

In a less frantic contest than that on the previous afternoon, goals either side of the break from Dessers guaranteed a trip to the final for Rangers next month.

Steven Naismith's side did grow into the contest but, in truth, never had a clear sight of goal or edge in the final third - bar Yutaro Oda's late effort well saved by Jack Butland.

Here are the five burning issues after the second Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden...

Cyriel Dessers does enough

He faces criticism week in week out for Rangers but Cyriel Dessers was the key man at Hampden.

The Nigerian striker is often bashed over his wastefulness in front of goal - something still evident even in a match-winning performance. However, Dessers did his job to fire Rangers into the final. 

His first strike, after just five minutes, was expertly taken as the 29-year-old shifted the ball onto his left and cut back across goal to spark pandemonium amongst the Rangers support. It wasn't the finish of a striker lacking in confidence or ability.

Dessers would then resort to his usual form, though, as he spurned a handful of more than decent openings with the match on a knife edge.

To his credit, Dessers continued to demand the ball and take shots whenever the opportunity arose.

Then, in trademark fashion, he scored.

It looked like it wouldn't fall for the striker again but brilliant work from Todd Cantwell saw the ball teed up inside the area where Dessers lashed low into the net.

Dessers will continue to face criticism for not being clinical in front of goal - but at Hampden, he did enough.

Timid Hearts pass up major opportunity

Rangers entered Hampden like a wounded animal. There could either be a reaction or a capitulation.

Hearts allowed it to be the first as they were far too timid in the opening stages as Rangers raced into the lead.

Off the back of dropped points and deeply uninspiring performances, Rangers were there for the taking at points.

Hearts, though, didn't look intent or confident in putting the Ibrox side to the sword.

They were too passive in the press, unable to put their foot on the ball until already behind and never truly threatening in the final third.

In Lawrence Shankland, the Tynecastle club have arguably the best and most clinical marksman in the country but he wasn't afforded the chance to prove it.

There were short spells of control for Hearts - after falling behind and in the second half - but they looked powerless to level the scores with the only real moments of quality coming from players in a blue shirt.

Rangers still looked fragile and offered Hearts' a route back into the game through sloppy play but Naismith's men were off the boil when it counted and couldn't capitalise on the lapses in the Rangers rearguard.

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Diomande in the rough

What a difference one player can make.

Mohamed Diomande was not involved for Rangers in the nightmare results against Ross County or Dundee.

His performance at Hampden begs the question of how different things could have been if he was...

The January signing has been seriously impressive since arriving at Ibrox and proved he is a first pick whenever fit as he starred at Hampden.

With bags of quality on the ball and the necessary fight and desire to win it back, Diomande is a key player in Clement's Rangers side - they look a completely different side without him.

Diomande was further complemented by a midfield masterclass from Todd Cantwell who rose to the occasion to thrive against Hearts. 

The former Norwich forward was involved in everything positive in the final third for Rangers and showed his class with a stunning assist for Dessers' second.

Rangers lacked any spark or battle against Dundee and Ross County, in the Scottish Cup semi-final they had both in abundance.

Hearts Hampden hoodoo goes on

In the build-up to the Scottish Cup semi-final much was made of Hearts horrendous Hampden hoodoo against Rangers.

Unfortunately, for Naismith and Tynecastle chief the unwanted record of never having beaten Rangers at the national stadium goes on - and it never looked like being broken.

It's a remarkable statistic that Hearts have never gotten the better of Rangers at Hampden - and offered another bit of motivation for those in maroon heading along the M8 on Sunday.

But, the struggles continued at Hampden for Hearts with Rangers fairly comfortable all told.

The Jambos didn't disgrace themselves by any means but in the history books this was another opportunity passed up by the Tynecastle side against Rangers.

Clearly, the best of the rest in Scotland, Hearts only have chasing down Celtic and Rangers as a further ambition. 

Afternoons like those at the national stadium are the opportunity to show it, but it passed them by.

Celtic vs Rangers final

For the first time in more than 20 years Celtic and Rangers will contest the Scottish Cup final.

The clubs last met in the showpiece final in 2002 when Rangers triumphed in a 3-2 result.

It's fitting this season that the clubs finally go head-to-head in the final given the intense title race this term.

A 3-3 meeting the last time the clubs met in the Scottish Premiership, a huge post-split fixture to come next month and now a Scottish Cup final.

If the final is anything like the breathless league season or recent encounter then the Scottish Cup final could be something very special.