Back in 2008, Rangers had to dig deep for the Scottish Cup Final having played the last game of the league season just 36 hours earlier.
That came the week after the UEFA Cup Final with a punishing end of season schedule pushing Walter Smith’s squad to its limits.
A not too different situation awaits Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team tomorrow following the huge physical and emotional toll of the Europa League Final in Seville on Wednesday as well as Jimmy Bell’s funeral on Friday afternoon.
It will require efficient man-management and inspiration to life the team ahead of the Hampden final against Hearts, but the game is only about winning, nothing else matters. Just lift the trophy.
It is expected that a few changes will be made by Gio tomorrow, with Borna Barisic already ruled out through injury.
Back in ’08, the crazy situation meant playing away to Aberdeen on the last day of the season on Thursday night, just three days after playing St Mirren away, ahead of the SCF against Queen of the South on the Saturday at 3pm. The current crop have had one extra day for the game that will end the season and likely with it, a few Rangers careers for some who will move on, for different reasons.
A challenge awaits against Robbie Neilson’s team who will be looking to make amends for last week having been upstaged by a very youthful Rangers team. They will be determined to break Rangers resolve and will feel confident that they have what it takes in front of a 50/50 crowd.
Changes
Let’s take a look at the team lineups over the two days in 2008 when amazingly seven players started both games:
Aberdeen – Thu 22 May ’08:
Alexander, Dailly, Weir, Cuellar, Whittaker, Davis, Ferguson, Thomson, Adam (Fleck 76), Darcheville (Boyd 62), Cousin (Novo 62). Subs Not Used: Smith, Broadfoot, Furman, McMillan.
QoS – Sat 24 May ’08:
Alexander, Whittaker, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Beasley (Davis 75), Thomson, Ferguson, McCulloch, Boyd, Darcheville (Fleck 85). Subs not used: Smith, Dailly, McMillan