Dundee United 2-2 Rangers CIS Cup Final 16/03/08

[DavidMc]

Dundee United v Rangers
CIS Cup Insurance Final
Sunday 16th March 08
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Rangers winger Chris Burke faces a race against time to be fit for Sunday's CIS Insurance Cup final.

Nacho Novo and Charlie Adam are suspended, while Steven Naismith is cup-tied but striker Jean-Claude Darcheville returns to the squad.

Dundee United manager Craig Levein is hopeful defender Lee Wilkie will shake off a virus for the Hampden Park clash.

Jim O'Brien, Danny Grainger and Danny Swanson are all cup-tied for the Tannadice outfit.


United last lifted a national cup when they secured the 1994 Scottish Cup with a 1-0 victory over Rangers.

However, the Taysiders have not won the League Cup since 1980.

Rangers, chasing their 25th success in the tournament, will also be without striker Daniel Cousin, who is recovering from a broken jaw.



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Dundee United (from): Zaluska, McLean, Kovacevic, Kalvenes, Wilkie, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, David Robertson, Gomis, Flood, Buaben, Kerr, Conway, Daly, De Vries, Hunt, Odhiambo.

Rangers (from): McGregor, Broadfoot, Whittaker, Papac, Weir, Cuellar, Dailly, Hemdani, Ferguson, Davis, McCulloch, Burke, Thomson, Boyd, Darcheville, Alexander, Gow, Buffel.

[DavidMc]

Cup Final build-up

Rangers manager Walter Smith says his side will have to be on top form to beat Dundee United in Sunday's CIS Cup final at Hampden.

The Ibrox club have targeted a domestic treble and face Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup.

"If we talk about the confidence in the Rangers camp being reasonably high, I think it'll be every bit as high in the Dundee United camp," said Smith.

"Both clubs have been consistent this season - it should be a good final."

Smith said he had been impressed by United manager Craig Levein and the Tannadice outfit this season.

Smith, who enjoyed spells as a player and manager at Tannadice, said United would be tough opponents at Hampden.

"Craig Levein took over at Dundee United just shortly before I came back to Rangers and Craig has turned their fortunes around as well," said the Rangers manager.

"They're having an extremely good season, and I always remember my time there.

"We didn't get to that many finals overall and you look forward to that, and I think Craig and his squad will look forward, as we will, to the first final of the season.

"Both clubs have been far more consistent this season and played to a better level than they have done previously. "

United are vying for third spot in the SPL and Smith said Levein should be proud of his achievements.

"He's brought stability back to the club, I don't think there's any doubt about that.

"Like we all do in football, he's had his ups and downs in the managerial stakes.

"But there's no doubt he's an excellent manager. He had no real need to prove that, but he's doing it again and because it's my old club I always like to see them do well."

Smith said United's goalless draw against SPL champions Celtic last Wednesday was further evidence of their progress under Levein.

"It was a terrific result for them there," said Smith.

"United, like ourselves, are a difficult team to overcome, and going to Celtic Park is one of the hardest places you can go to get a result, and they managed to do that."

Smith will be without the injured Daniel Cousin, the suspended Charlie Adam, Nacho Novo, and the cup-tied Steven Naismith for the final at Hampden

Defenders Steven Smith and Andy Webster may also miss out, despite returning to full training after long injury lay-offs.

[DavidMc]

Cup Final Build-up

Dundee United manager Craig Levein wants CIS Cup glory as a timely fillip for club chairman Eddie Thompson, who is suffering from cancer.

"We are absolutely desperate to win this cup competition," he said.

"I'm sure Rangers will be desperate to win as well, but I just can't stress how important this is to us, for various different reasons.

"We will do absolutely everything to win this game and the chairman factor is part of it, of course."

United's 4-1 semi-final win over Aberdeen in February was dedicated to Thompson, who has invested heavily in the club since he took over in 2002.

And Levein has established a strong bond with the chairman since his appointment in October 2006.

"He's supported his team for an awful lot of years now, with his vocal backing and also with his money," added Levein.

We've probably got just as many players who've played in a cup final as Rangers have
Craig Levein

"He's waited a long time to get some sort of reward and we're aware of that. We don't need to talk about it internally, everybody knows exactly how much this competition means to all of us.

"It's also probably been too long for a trophy win for us. I can't be held responsible for the last 14 years, but I'll take the blame for the last 18 months or so.

"The club has had difficult times and nowadays it isn't easy to put together a team to win a cup competition.

"It's even harder to keep them together and that's what we're trying to do. It'll hopefully happen and we're just desperate to win it."

United approach the final in good heart after just one defeat in their last 12 matches, a run of form which has taken them to third spot in the Premier League table.

Over 17,000 fans will cheer them on in Glasgow and Levein is in confident mood.

He said: "We're in good form. Even the matches that we drew at home recently, we played very well and I don't know when we last lost.

"We've been solid at the back and we've got our important players available and fit to play. It should be a great game."

Rangers are still in the hunt for four trophies this term, having gone two seasons without any silverware.

But Levein, who leads United into their first cup final since losing to Celtic in the 2005 Scottish Cup, feels his side can match the SPL leaders.

He added: "Unusually, we've probably got just as many players who've played in a cup final as Rangers have, which is unheard of.

"Usually, you would think there would be an advantage to Rangers in that their players have been there on a regular basis, but a lot of their players haven't played in cup finals.

"That, I think, negates any advantage Hampden might have given them."

[DavidMc]

View of ex-Rangers and Dundee United striker Billy Dodds

Rangers will start as strong favourites and, while I think they should just edge home, it promises to be a really tight contest.

There may be 22 points separating the sides in the Premier League but they have shared the spoils with a win each this season and I wouldn't be surprised to see this game go all the way to extra-time.

Walter Smith and Craig Levein are similar managers in that they both made a strong defence their top priority when taking over.


Smith pulled off a masterstroke bringing David Weir to Ibrox in the twilight of his career and Carlos Cuellar has been really impressive in his first season in Scotland.

Together they have forged a great partnership and, since another old warhorse, Christian Dailly, has been drafted in, the league leaders look even more secure.

My former Scotland team-mate Dailly is a bit of a United legend, having helped them win the Scottish Cup back in 1994, but he'll be out to put one over on his old team.

Levein also has a formidable pair of central defenders in Lee Wilkie and Darren Dods, so it will be a tough afternoon for the forwards.

Dods was rested for Wednesday's draw at Celtic Park, as were a few others, but to keep a clean-sheet in that game shows how resolute United can be.

I think Rangers will opt for a 4-5-1 formation, with Dailly joining skipper Barry Ferguson and Steven Davis in the middle of the park.

United should have a central trio of Mark Kerr, Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis and Walter Smith will want not want to be outnumbered in such a vital area.

Kerr does a great sitting job, while Buaben and Gomis are both neat and tidy players.

It will be congested in midfield and that will make it important for the wide men to make an impact.

Rangers will miss the suspended Nacho Novo and Charlie Adam, while Steven Naismith is cup-tied.

That only really leaves Chris Burke and Lee McCulloch, although Steven Whittaker could push up from his usual full-back slot.

United will miss the influence of former skipper Barry Robson, he gave them great drive and energy and was always a threat from set-pieces.

But Noel Hunt has been scoring for fun this season and David Robertson is a player I like.

Rangers will be hoping Jean-Claude Darcheville is fit to lead the line since his pace and power can be a real handful but having a prolific scorer like Kris Boyd ready to step in show just how strong they are.

Much has been made of United chairman Eddie Thompson's poor health, with a lot of talk about this being his final.

Levein and his players were emotional after their fantastic 4-1 semi-final win over Aberdeen but players don't need any extra motivation before a cup final.

It promises to be a titanic tussle between two very clever managers.

[DavidMc]

Think we will see Lee McCulloch start this afternoon. Dundee Uniteds two centre halfs are big guys and McCulloch woul be a handful for them in the air. As would Darcheville however his fitness is in doubt.

With no Nacho Novo and Stevie Naismith cup-tied, this is a good chance for Chris Burke. He has been in good form since his return form injury. I would like to see him have an extended run in the team.

Overall, Im fairly confident we will take the trophy home this afternoon. But we cant underestimate Dundee United who will be looking to cause an upset.

Will be a close game. Would like to think we could score a couple though.

[DavidMc]

Halftime.

Dundee United 1-0 Rangers.

We dont look good. Had a couple of good moves but not a good performance so far. We need a change. Playing McCulloch up front alone has paid-off. He has been starved of service.

Ferguson had a good shot saved in the first half following a dummy from McCulloch. But apart from that, we havent been in the game much.

Smith needs to change things just now.

[DavidMc]

Rangers secure CIS Cup in penalty shoot-out

Rangers twice came from behind before beating Dundee United in a penalty shoot-out to win a pulsating CIS Insurance Cup final.

Substitute Kris Boyd was the hero after scoring a double before firing the winning penalty.

Noel Hunt had given United the lead before Boyd equalised after pouncing on Mark Kerr's defensive mistake.

Mark De Vries put United back in front before Boyd headed a second, as Gers won their first trophy in three years.

Rangers made two changes to the side which faced Werder Bremen in the Uefa Cup.

Suspended duo Nacho Novo and Charlie Adam were replaced by Lee McCulloch and Chris Burke.

Dundee United manager Craig Levein, leading a team out at Hampden for the first time, made four changes after his side's midweek goalless draw at Celtic.

Noel Hunt returned to the starting line-up along with Christian Kalvenes, Willo Flood and Morgaro Gomis.

Out went David Robertson and Craig Conway, who dropped to the bench and cup-tied duo Danny Grainger and Jim O'Brien.


Levein said before the game that the players were determined to lift the trophy for club chairman Eddie Thompson, who is suffering from cancer.

The opening 10 minutes were fairly low-key as both sides struggled to establish any rhythm.

Zaluska produced a stunning save in the 18th minute when McCulloch dummied Kirk Broadfoot's cross and the keeper parried Barry Ferguson's shot.

Garry Kenneth headed away Rangers crosses time and again as Broadfoot became more dangerous as the first-half progressed.

Hunt gave United a deserved lead in the 33rd minute.

The Irishman's initial shot was saved by McGregor, but Rangers failed to clear their lines and Hunt managed to force the ball over the line at the second attempt.

Darcheville came on for Brahim Hemdani at the start of the second half as Rangers searched for an equaliser.

United claimed for a penalty in the 53rd minute when Cuellar appeared to pull back Kalvenes in the box, but referee Kenny Clark waved play on.

Darcheville was denied an equaliser when Zaluska blocked the Frenchman's shot with his heel to deflect the ball wide for a corner.

Rangers equalised with six minutes remaining when Mark Kerr inexplicably attempted a passback to the keeper, and Boyd rifled the ball home.


De Vries put United back in front at the start of extra-time when he drilled the ball bast McGregor from the right-hand side of the box.

Prince Buaben played a superb pass through to the Dutchman who swept the ball home to cap a fine flowing move.

Boyd equalised for a second time when United failed to clear their lines and he headed home at the back post.

David Robertson, Craig Conway and Lee Wilkie missed penalties in the shoot-out for United, with Rangers' Darcheville and McCulloch also seeing their spot-kicks saved.

Boyd then kept his nerve to score the winner in the shoot-out and deny United their first trophy since 1994.



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Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Kenneth, Wilkie, Kalvenes, Buaben (Robertson 97), Flood, Kerr, Gomis, Hunt (Conway 78), De Vries. Subs Not Used: McLean, Dods, Dillon.

Booked: Kalvenes.

Goals: Hunt 34, De Vries 96.

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac (Boyd 61), Hemdani (Darcheville 45), Dailly, Burke (Whittaker 116), Ferguson, Davis, McCulloch. Subs Not Used: Alexander, Thomson.

Booked: Broadfoot, McCulloch.

Goals: Boyd 85, 113.

Rangers win 3-2 on penalties

Att: 50,019