SFA Youth Cup Final

[ian1964 10,826]

GREGG WYLDE has made great strides with Rangers under-19s this season but the talented left-back wants to finish it in style by enjoying success in tonight's SFA Youth Cup final at Hampden.

 

It will be the first-time the 18-year-old has played at the national stadium and he wants to make the most of the occasion by getting his hands on the cup.

 

Gregg Wylde, RangersHe said: "It would be great for all the boys if we could bring the SFA Youth Cup trophy back to Murray Park and that is our aim.

 

"We are all looking forward to running out at Hampden and it gives fans the chance to come along and see the players coming through the ranks at Rangers.

 

"A few of the boys were involved in the final last season so they know what it's all about but it will be a new experience for most of us.

 

"We have a lot of young players in the squad, including myself, who have not played at Hampden before so it is a great opportunity for the boys to show what they can do."

 

Being a lifelong Bluenose Wylde has already fulfilled one of his boyhood dreams by playing at Ibrox Stadium against Brora Rangers, Dumbarton and Inverness Caley Thistle in this season's cup run.

 

But he admits running out at Hampden and representing Rangers in a cup final will be the highlight of his blossoming career to date.

 

He said: "Playing at Ibrox this season was a big achievement because I am a Rangers fan and I scored in the 6-0 win over Brora in the third round which was a great feeling.

 

"But playing in a final at Hampden will be something special and it will be a proud moment for me.

 

Hampden Park"Regardless what age you are playing at the national stadium in a blue jersey is something you will never forget as long as you are on the winning team!"

 

Gregg has a lot of respect for tonight's opponents Hibs and insists his team will need to be at their best to topple their Edinburgh rivals.

 

He said: "It's going to be a very hard but there is no reason why we can't get the win.

 

"We have played Hibs twice this season and lost them both so we are due a victory.

 

"The last we played them at Murray Park in March we were really annoyed to lose 3-2 and we were very unlucky not to take something from that game. We missed a penalty in the last minute but these things happen.

 

"If we can play the same way we did on that occasion I have no doubt we can beat them in the final.

 

Gregg Wylde"It would have been nice to play Celtic for the third year running but it should be a great game against a good Hibs team.

 

"They are the league champions and have shown what a strong team they are but if we go out and give it our best shot I am confident we can come out on top."

 

Wylde's excellent form throughout the 2008/09 campaign has catapulted him in to Tommy Wilson's Reserves but he realises there are still aspects of his game that need refined.

 

He said: "I have enjoyed this season a lot and it's been great to play with the Reserves and train with the first-team.

 

"But I know I'm still young and every day I am learning.

 

"Although I am a left-back I have never had a problem going forward but I know I can improve the defensive side of my game.

 

"Being at Rangers and working with the coaches here will help that and I just need to listen and try to take their advice on board."

 

Cheer on the young guns at Hampden tonight.

 

The match kicks off at 7.30pm and there will be a cash gate on the night with tickets priced at �£5 for adults and �£2 for children and senior citizens.

 

[johnnyk 158]

Good luck to the young ones tonight...............

[Guest bigbear]

Fcuk sake Hobos win 2 -1 AET

[johnnyk 158]

Fcuk sake Hobos win 2 -1 AET

 

think they scored in the last minute to win m8, unlucky boys!!

[ian1964 10,826]

A 119th minute goal from Kurtis Byrne has given Hibs a 2-1 victory in tonight's SFA Youth Cup final and secured the Easter Road side a domestic double.

 

SFA Youth Cup 2009After a hard fought 90 minutes that finished 1-1 it looked certain that extra-time would also finish level and that a penalty shoot-out would follow. Byrne however, had other ideas.

 

With only seconds left on the clock the striker made the most of poor marking to head the ball off the underside of the bar in to the net.

 

It was a heart breaking end to the game for Billy Kirkwood's side who had put so much in to this dramatic showdown at Hampden.

 

The first-half failed to live up to pre-match expectations with Rangers struggling to hit top form and Hibs only marginally better.

 

The nearest the Light Blues came to opening the scoring was on 12 minutes when Stephen Stirling whipped in a dangerous corner kick.

 

The ball fell to Danny Wilson in the box but just as the big defender was about to blast the ball in to the net David Wotherspoon came from nowhere to scoop it out for another corner.

 

Hibs then took the lead on 33 minutes and it came from Byrne who had an impressive evening.

 

Archie Campbell, Rangers celebrates scoringWotherspoon found space on the right wing and his dipping cross was blasted home by the Hibs danger man from close range at the back post.

 

Byrne then had a chance to double his side's advantage seconds before the break but his header from a similar delivery lacked the power to beat Adam.

 

Kirkwood would no doubt have had a few words to say to his team after a below par opening 45 minutes and the orders he issued had the desired effect as Archie Campbell was to equalise three minutes after the restart with an excellent goal.

 

The Gers hitman used his electric pace to skip past three defenders before placing a low, left foot shot beyond Thomas Flynn in to the net for his 15th goal of the season.

 

The goal provided hope for the Gers youngster who now had a bit of belief that was missing in the first-half.

 

Byrne, however, was a constant threat and the striker almost caught the Gers defence napping when he swerved an ambitious shot from 20 yards but Adam was there to tip the ball brilliantly away from the top corner.

 

Rangers were to suffer a blow on 68 minutes when the keeper, who was superb throughout, was stretchered off after challenging for a high ball. He was replaced by Latvian Arturs Vaiculis.

 

Kurtis ByrneAt the other end the industrious Gordon Dick, who had earlier gone on for Kane Hemmings, was smashed to the ground by Ewan Moyes as the game's intensity increased.

 

Chances were few and far between in the latter stages although both teams had late scares to deal with.

 

With 90 minutes on the clock Byrne whipped in a great cross but Wotherspoon, who was unmarked, failed to connect with an easy header.

 

In the last seconds of injury time Campbell then darted in to the Hibs' 18-yard box and when he chipped the ball over his Hibs marker the ball appeared to hit an arm, halting the attack.

 

Referee Euan Norris waved away any pleas before signalling for full-time moments later.

 

Extra-time saw both teams trying to desperately to get the goal which would avoid penalties and Hibs persistence paid off when Byrne's last gasp goal snatched a victory and the double for Alistair Stevenson's kids.

 

RANGERS: Adam (Vaiculis 72), Cole, Wilson, Perry, Wylde, Hutton, Stirling, Ness, Naismith (Bagci 83), Campbell, Hemmings (Dick 64)

 

Subs Not Used: McGeoch, Durie

 

HIBERNIAN: Flynn, Park, Booth, Moyes (Welch 111), Russell, Currie, Wotherspoon, Smith, Byrne, Bell (Kelly 87), Deane (Taggart 81)

 

Subs Not Used: Graham, Murray

 

Attn: 4,200

[ian1964 10,826]

Listen to the IRA chants about 26 seconds in.............FUCKIN SCUM BASTARDS

 

 

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