Co-operative Insurance Cup final

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St Mirren v Rangers preview

The first piece of silverware in Scotland is up for grabs on Sunday as St Mirren lock horns with Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

SPL leaders Rangers are the strong favourites to lift the trophy having not lost to the Buddies in eight meetings in all competitions.

The teams have already met in the Scottish Cup this season with Gers needing a 1-0 replay win at Ibrox to eventually see off their opponents.

Rangers have lifted the trophy a record 25 times, including winning the 2008 final against Dundee United, while it is just St Mirren's second-ever final appearance.

Gers news

Former St Mirren defender Kirk Broadfoot has been ruled out of Sunday's clash because of a hamstring injury.

The 25-year-old tweaked his hamstring in training last Friday and has not recovered sufficiently to take his place in Walter Smith's side.

Smith will also be without Algeria international Madjid Bougherra for a fortnight with a similar injury, so Danny Wilson should partner David Weir.

Neil Alexander will be hoping to secure the No.1 jersey ahead of Allan McGregor having played in every round of the competition so far.

Buddies news

St Mirren, who sit just above the drop zone in the SPL table, come into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Hamilton last time out.

Chris Innes is expected to find out shortly if he has won his race to be fit for the Hampden Park clash.

Boss Gus MacPherson will give the defender, who has been struggling with a groin problem, every chance to declare himself ready for the big game.

Long-term injury victim Tom Brighton is ruled out of Sunday's game, while striker Rory Loy will not be considered as he is currently on loan from Rangers.

St Mirren (from): Gallacher, Mair, Barron, Potter, Brady, Ross, O'Donnell, Johnston, Dorman, Murray, Carey, Higdon, Mehmet, Dargo, Thomson, Howard, Innes.

Rangers (from): McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Weir, Wilson, Beasley, Davis, Thomson, Edu, McCulloch, Miller, Novo, Boyd, Naismith, Little, Alexander.

 

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CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE CUP FINAL GOSSIP

Rangers' Steven Davis could miss the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final against St Mirren because of sickness. Manager Walter Smith has sent the player home hoping the midfielder will recover and the boss is also trying to make sure the illness bug does not spread throughout his squad. (Various)

St Mirren's squad threatened to refuse to wear cup final suits and snub the team hotel before the recent row over bonuses was resolved. Players were believed to have been unhappy with the money on offer should the Buddies win at Hampden. (News of the World)

 

[witchy]

'mon the Buddies!

 

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Live - St Mirren v Rangers

TEAMS ST MIRREN v RANGERS
St Mirren: Gallacher, Ross, Potter, Mair, Barron, Brady, Murray, Thomson, Carey, Mehmet, Higdon. Subs: Howard, O'Donnell, Dargo, Robb, Dorman.

Rangers: Alexander, Whittaker, Weir, Wilson, Papac, Davis, McCulloch, Thomson, Novo, Boyd, Miller. Subs: McGregor, Edu, Naismith, Beasley, Smith.

 

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Rangers claimed victory in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final, despite having two men sent off against St Mirren at Hampden.

The Buddies dominated the first half, Steven Thomson and David Barron coming close to breaking the deadlock.

Kevin Thomson was sent off for a dangerous tackle on his namesake Steven and Danny Wilson saw red for a professional foul on Craig Dargo.

But Kenny Miller headed a dramatic winner for Rangers in the 84th minute.

For St Mirren it was heartbreak as they failed to secure their first League Cup triumph, while Rangers claimed their 26th tournament win.

Saints made a positive start and Billy Mehmet robbed David Weir of possession and sent a deflected cross to the back post, forcing Sasa Papac to head out of play.

Steven Whittaker arrowed a low drive into the grasp of St Mirren goalkeeper Paul Gallacher before setting up Miller for a run and shot but the striker could not keep his effort down.

Alexander, who replaced regular first-choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor as per the previous rounds of the competition, wanted too much time with a backpass and was almost caught by Jack Ross but the ball rebounded out for a goal-kick.

But Alexander looked more assured moments later when he made a goal-line save to deny Steven Thomson after the midfielder had been found by Michael Higdon's cut-back.

From the resulting corner, the ball broke out to Barron, who was deployed in central defence in the absence of Chris Innes, and he clipped the top of the crossbar with a long-range pile-driver.

Pressure continued to come on the Rangers defence and Higdon fired into the side netting after latching on to Mehmet's flick-on.

Steven Davis had been an illness doubt for Rangers before kick-off and was withdrawn at half-time, Maurice Edu coming on in a reshaped line-up.

Saints came close when Ross headed a long ball down to Mehmet, who turned Weir before sending a tame shot into Alexander's arms.

Kevin Thomson saw red after being penalised for a late lunge on Steven Thomson during another St Mirren advance.

The flashpoint brought an edge to the game and referee Craig Thomson had a word with several players in an attempt to calm proceedings.

Rangers looked to take advantage of a growing number of set plays but neither Kris Boyd or Edu could find the target with headers.

A Nacho Novo free-kick caused chaos in the St Mirren box and Higdon made a crucial block to divert Miller's shot wide.

Steven Thomson crossed for Higdon but the striker could not get his foot around the ball enough to test the Rangers goal.

Dargo replaced Mehmet and made an immediate impact as he tried to reach a long ball and was pulled back by Danny Wilson. The defender was promptly sent off, with the referee adjudging that Wilson had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

But St Mirren struggled to make their numerical advantage count and were punished on a breakaway as substitute Steven Naismith crossed for Miller to head beyond Gallacher.

The shell-shocked Saints pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way through a resolute Rangers back-line.

 

[J]

 

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cup final pics

 

[nara]

"Co-operative Insurance Cup final" !!!! :grayno:

That's what happens when you sell your soul to the moneymen.

It sounds like a pub team competition.