Homecoming Scottish Cup 2009 Rangers 1 Falkirk 0

A moment of brilliance from super sub, Nacho Novo, was the only bright spark in a dull Home Coming Scottish Cup final, but it was enough to hand Rangers a less than impressive league and cup double over the battling Bairns.

In today's Scottish Football, results are all that matters and Rangers certainly did enough to keep their fans in good voice, even though it was a display that was not worthy of a side that came from behind to clinch the SPL title.

But it is fair to say that when they look back on classic Scottish Cup goals, this one will rank amongst one of the best.

The substitute lashed in a dipping shot from long range right after just 28 seconds on the field at the start of the second half at Hampden and some first class defending by David Weir and Madjid Bougherra ensured that the Silverware would be heading to the west end of Glasgow.

Falkirk on the other hand can take heart that they managed to shake of the traumatic few weeks of their relegation battle to play some of their best football of the season, playing Rangers of the park for most of the first half.

Unfortunately playing in a cup final is all about taking your chances and Falkirk, despite their best efforts were found wanting inside the box and could not covert the few chances that came their way.

Well they have been asking for summer football for years, so today in the showpiece game they actually got it, in temperatures worthy of the Riviera.

Now we only needed to wait to see who would struggle in the summer heat – yes this was Scotland. But there was a game to play first.

Rangers going for the double and John Hughes the chance to end Falkirk's traumatic season on a high and to ram words down his critic's throats.

Many punters had this result as a no brainer – the new SPL Champions against the team who held on to their SPPL status by the skin on their teeth.

Both teams were trying to get into their stride with neither side posing a real threat in the penalty box.

The first real chance came to the Bairns in just under 10 minutes when some excellent build up work by John Hughes's men ended with Burton O'Brien firing a 20 yard shot over the bar.

After holding on to their SPL status by the skin of their teeth, Falkirk had nothing to lose, but everything to gain and there were spells that they were playing exactly like that.

This was more like the attacking football synonymous with Falkirk in recent years and they continued to work hard looking to open their account.

And they came close when another well worked move saw Neil McCann send a dipping shot from outside the box only to finish just off target.

Rangers got caught flat footed again when a cross from the near side found McCann with the best chance of the half who should have done better with the finish at close range

Rangers finally got the message after 20 minutes and started to play the kind of football expected of newly crowned premier league champions, putting Falkirk under some real pressure for the first time.

But the Bairns weathered the storm and were soon pushing forward, quieting the Ibrox support.

Whenever Bougherra moved out of his half, and pushed forward, Rangers were looking dangerous, but that did not happen very often

There was no let up on the heat, but one could only assume that it was only a matter of time before tiredness would start to kick in and more chances would start to come Rangers way in the second half.

Nacho Novo came on as sub for Kris Boyd at half time.

For many the little Spaniard is regarded as an impact player for Rangers and boy did he make an impact - 28 seconds of the second half to be exact!!!!

Novo turned on a short thrown-in from Sasa Papac, let the ball bounce, and fired a clinical diagonal shot over the stunned Dani Mallo from 30 yards.

Rangers then started to step on the ante and were now playing with the confidence that was missing during the opening 45 minutes with Falkirk appearing to be losing their way

But after 60 minutes, Falkirk were re-energized following a triple substitution and were soon back in the thick of the action pushing for the elusive e equalizer.

Ranges were playing with much more confidence and were playing the kind of football that was expected, but there was still only one goal in it with Falkirk still pushing for an equalizer.

Luck was not on Falkirk in 75 minutes when Carl Finnigan the ball in the net but fellow replacement Mark Stewart had strayed marginally offside before his cross found the striker inside the six yard box.

Then inside the final minutes of the match, Rangers fans must have had their hearts in their mouths when a Michael Higdon knockdown was diverted to Steve Lovell by a clumsy touch from Steven Davis and the Falkirk forward's deflected shot crept across goal rebounding off the base of the post to safety.

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