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Well I'm excited about winning the League Cup for the 1st time since 2011. My twin boys were still in the neo-natal unit after being born 10 weeks early the last time we won this trophy. Today, I had one of my boys with me (the other doesn't like football) to witness this triumph. Its the 1st trophy he's seen us win live and to see the joy on his face made the victory even sweeter. Hopefully he'll witness many, many more. There were times during 2013 and the years after that, that I didn't know if I'd ever see Rangera win another meaningful trophy. Whilst trophies have been scarce, we've now won the league, won the Scottish Cup, won the League Cup and gotten to the EL Cup Final. I'll never downplay any trophy we win, we are Rangers and we're in the business of winning trophies, it's what we do. But now we move on to Wednesday where we've an opportunity to cut the lead in the league. Another huge game for us.

IMO there were several players who had moments of significance, none more so than our Captain. For the rest Lundstram, Sima, Dessers, Goldson and Cantwell come to mind but I thought two players stood out for their consistent contribution throughout the match - Balogun and Sterling. I thought they were both magnificent from start to finish. Leon Balogun in particular epitomised the new spirit running through the team. I can't remember him losing an aerial duel or being out of position when defending. He made forward runs and his passing was simple and effective. Although he didn't score, he had several attempts on goal with both head and feet and at times it seemed he was everywhere. He returned to the club with howls of disappointment ringing in his ears from fans convinced it was a backward step for Rangers .... turns out it was one of the few things Beale got right. Given his age he won't be here for long but he's now a clear first choice in central defence and embodies everything about the positivity and determination I want to see from a Rangers player in that position.

Feeling rather refreshed and most joyful. Can I extend festive felicitations to my fellow Gersnetters. Rangers won the Cup.

We seem to have learned how to win when we're not at our best, which is a major step forward.

We dominated them in 2019 and lost. Cup football is about winning and we did.

Don't know if I can agree that we didn't play well in Seville, while we may not have dominated or passed them off the park, you have to remember who we're playing against. You don't win in Spain if you don't play well, as our history attests.

Been a fantastic 4 days. Won in Betis and topped our EL group, they dropped points yesterday and we won the League Cup today.

It may mean nothing other than he's a fan, but....

Most of those I thought were in contention have already been mentioned above by other posters. For me, it is between Sterling or Tav - I voted Tav simply because of the winning goal and seeing him lift the trophy.

Sterling was great out of position but Abdallah was just everywhere. That tackle he made late in the game on Duck, covering Borna's ass, sealed it for me. It's gonna hurt to give that toy back to the rich folks down in England at season end.

People seem not to understand there is a trade off for getting the ball forward far more quickly and often. You create more, you score more, you win more but you lose the ball more and you might even concede more. celtc asked Ange to move to a more conservative model so they didn't lose so many goals especially in europe and he told them to F off and Left. Well they got their wish. They score far less goals and are very conservative. Got more points in Europe too i suppose.

I think what's really being said about these performances is that neither game saw us play the best possible football, perhaps not even the best football that the current players are capable of .... but, in Seville and at Hampden park, we did perform sufficiently well to win both games and that above all else is a major achievement at this stage in our recovery. We could have played much better in both games and achieved nothing. I've had more than enough of that shit. Winning is the thing and everything else comes second. Every victory is a great performance.

Ten mins of Highlights (SPFL) with no irritating babble from reporters and co-commentators ...

Reference the Liam McLeod statement on a poor standard cup final. I remember leaving Hampden four years past after losing the League Cup final 1-0 to ra Sellik. We battered them that day, created half a dozen good opportunities and credit to Foster their Keeper, he was outstanding. We were correctly awarded a penalty and Alfie failed to convert. To add insult to injury, Sellik's French centre back, Jullien scored from an offside position. The PQ Gang Hut told us the above circumstances were the marks of true winners. The aim of a cup final is to ensure when the game finishes, it is your club's name on the trophy. Liam the Squeal has been allowed to revert to his preferred prejudice reference Rangers on too many occasions. When Aberdeen last won the trophy at Parkhead against Inverness, the game finished 0-0 after extra time. It was a penalty shoot out victory and I do not remember Liam branding the match poor standard. He was allowed to convey his excitement.

What a weekend

I watched the game with my old man. I said to him after the final whistle - take a moment to think about how yahoos are feeling right now, they'll be absolutely gutted. I really, really enjoy their pain.

Brilliant watch. Hopefully more trophy BTS to come this season.

It never hurts nearly as much as some imagine. Every player we lose leaves a hole in the squad, some a very small hole, others a seemingly massive hole, but without exception the club moves on and the next chapter is written without them. Morelos was going to be irreplaceable, Tillman leaving was going to be a disaster but somehow here we are without them.

Walter was the master of getting an extra 20% out of players who were otherwise lacking in his second spell - I'm not saying Clement is Walter of course but if he can get the players having to be dragged off the pitch with nothing left in the tank then good things will come. It's what won us 55, it wasn't our free flowing attack that won us it, it was the team grafting like fuck. Another clean sheet, we're on the right track I think. Looking forward to Wednesday!

I went for Lundstram but Sterling, Sima and Tav were all in with a shout. Special mention also to Barisic because his good play on the left really made that goal.

God knows what will happen when we DO play well and win - you will need CPR I guess!

The Cup won and having been assigned to a boring task, I switched on to hear how they were all taking it. Remarkably well. The only participants I knew were Wullie Miller and Tom English. The verdict - a poor first half, better second and Rangers deserved to win it. Miller said this isn’t a great Rangers team (no arguments there) but they had more than one chance and Aberdeen offered nothing until the last ten minutes. when English arrived the discussion changed to whether his team are still favourites for the title. He thought they probably are because they can afford better reinforcements in January. I don’t know what the match commentary was like. I never listen to that. The closing discussions were calm and quite reasonable. Not the excited pandemonium that would have accompanied a Rangers defeat but not dour and grudging either.

Outstanding, what a day yesterday. Had a great day with my friends watching us lift the trophy. A great performance from the lads, a real battling win and we never gave them a sniff at any time. Well done to the captain who once again led by example and I'm delighted for him. Now its looking forward to playing St Johnstone and seeing more from this team.

we need to back this manager. As fans and very much the board in this window.

And the women's team went 3 clear too. 👏🏻

I don't know what Connor Goldson's heart condition or defect was but, looking at the number of games he's played in his time at Rangers, it certainly hasn't held him back. Over the piece he's been a wonderful signing.

I'm sure I'm not the first to say it but Scott McKenna is a proverbial tap in - 27, left footed Scottish international who's played at a good level and *knows our league* (I know. Forgive me) who's been frozen out and who's contract is up in the summer... Get him signed on a pre in January early doors and then try and negotiate a fee to bring him in early from a position of strength. If not he can come in the summer. I'd be disappointed if the club haven't sounded his agent out tbh. Helps that we know Wilson, or at least it should.

Anyone reckon Isco would be up for an EBT?

No, you’re right but it was before my time and maybe yours too, probably pre-war. My earliest memories are Raymond “up go he heads” Glendenning and Peter “c’mon the Rangers” Thomson. They nor their successors needed zones. They just told you what was happening and whereabout. Alistair Alexander and David Begg were the last proper commentators.

There are some players that are just a joy to watch with a ball at their feet, this guys falls into that bracket

Someone posted an image of Clement with the cup in the match thread, I think. Edit:

Every broadcast should have a commentator-free option.

TavTastic

Thanks. Great without the babble. I see trackside advertising for a forthcoming Scottish Cup-tie. The home club must be worrying about ticket sales. It’ll be ok. Buckie will take plenty with them.

What a player

Absolutely... To smash the SCUM...our ultimate goal...Mon the Gers.

Getting back to winning trophies is where we need to be as a club. Three since we returned to the top flight (seven and a half years) is pretty shocking. Today was a good start for Clement. I don't see the point in underplaying or over-egging it - it was important but not something to get too excited about.

Any trophy they dont win and we win is important

Brilliant few days. Not going to lie I was emotional at the end of that final today!

Last Words. I left Hampden and whilst walking to my car I put on my radio and inserted my ear plugs. I heard BBC Scotland's Liam McLeod conclude his thoughts on his match commentary, he said : "Rangers have defeated Aberdeen in a poor standard cup final". Says it all, the true voice of the PQ Gang Hut.

You are 100% correct. As always it's a journey but the last week has at least persuaded me we've taken some big strides in the right direction. And brother does it feel good tonight.

I don't think we played particularly well in Seville or at Hampden but I'm absolutely delighted with the two victories. We definitely need improvements up front and in midfield.

F that. Celebrate everything like its our last and best. If the last 11 years have taught me anything its that we should lord it up over any cup.

Last night confirmed my view that the Board need to back the manager with some reasonable funds in January. The prize money will be handy but I wouldn't be surprised if we see a share issue in the coming week or two.