Scottish Cup final: Rangers 2-3 Hibernian: On-loan Celtic stars help Hibs end 114-year wait for glory
Hibernian ended a 114-year wait to win the Scottish Cup, with a helping hand from Celtic, as they beat Rangers 3-2 in the final at Hampden Park.
An enthralling encounter looked destined for extra-time after a brace from Hibs’ Anthony Stokes, on-loan from Celtic, and strikes from Kenny Miller and Andy Halliday.
But, one minute into added time, defender David Gray rose highest to meet a corner from Liam Henderson, also on-loan from Rangers’ rivals Celtic, to send their fans wild and win the match.
It looked like being a brilliant game from the off and it didn’t take long for the match to bear fruit as Stokes made the most of an out of position James Tavernier and Rob Kiernan’s timidness to sprint into the penalty area and stroke the ball into the far corner with ease.
Minutes later, Jason Cummings saw a shot blocked as Rangers’ rustiness showed following three weeks without a match, although Andy Halliday did get one shot away for the Championship title winners.
Hibs continued to get success on the left wing but, in a cruel twist for the men in green, Tavernier was then able to burst down the same flank and his curled cross was headed home by Kenny Miller, who had snuck between defenders Paul Hanlon and Darren McGregor.
Alan Stubbs’ side nearly got themselves back in front immediately as Stokes saw a strike crash back off the left upright but then fellow goalscorer Miller hit the woodwork too as his header from a corner hit the crossbar.
Fans at Hampden Park will certainly have been entertained as a double save from Wes Forderingham kept Hibernian at bay just before the break.
An edgy second period then came alive as Halliday, afforded too much time by Hanlon, arrowed a stunning strike into the back of the net, past a helpless Conrad Logan to make it 2-1 to Rangers.
Hibs then drove forward, looking dangerous once again as their decision to play three at the back helped them put pressure on their opponents high up the field and outnumber them in midfield.
In the end, their dominance told and with Rangers unable to turn the tide, Stokes, a threat throughout, was able to rise above marker Tavernier at the near post and nod home a leveller.
But as the game looked to be lurching towards extra-time, a Stokes shot was pushed wide by Foderingham and from the resulting corner ex-Manchester United academy defender Gray thudded home the winner sending the green side of Hampden Park wild, before they enveloped the pitch at full-time.