Rangers rise to the occasion

Heart of Midlothian 1 Rangers 5

Paul Gascoigne made his mark long before the action started. A second look at a group of ball boys kicking a ball around one of Hampden's goalmouths revealed three youngsters and a larger person, no longer an adult but a lad once more. Gascoigne, his club blazer lying on the ground, was the target for crosses from both flanks as he attempted to score against a third youngster guarding the goal. He later lined them in a wall to hit three kicks and when he lost out in a penalty competition with one lad, the millionaire player reached into his pocket to reward his victorious opponent.

He could have stayed out there all day, treating Scotland's football national stadium as his own private playground: it took Archie Knox, the assistant manager of Rangers, to drag him towards the dressing rooms like a small boy being called in for his tea.

It was at that point Hearts lost the Cup. Gary Locke, their captain, was taken off with a knee injury before 10 minutes of the game had passed and Gilles Rousset, the goalkeeper, allowed a harmless cross from Brian Laudrup to go through his legs for Rangers' second goal, but Hearts' defeat began with that knockabout in front of an empty stadium.

Gascoigne had promised to enjoy himself in this, his second Cup final, and here was the proof that he was ready to make this his day. When a player of his skills takes it upon himself to do that, he can achieve greatness. England will hope his attitude remains unchanged going into Euro 96.

The Englishman did have a large say in proceedings, but even his presence was overshadowed by two mighty performances. Laudrup demonstrated his breathtaking array of skills while Gordon Durie was the chief recipient as the two shared the goals.

Durie, a useful player who will never enjoy the charisma of Gascoigne or Ally McCoist, milked his moment: the first hat-trick in the Scottish Cup final since Dixie Deans helped Celtic beat Hibernian 6-1 in 1972. Durie dedicated his goals to his son, Scott, who had asked his daddy to score him a treble.

Rangers' margin might have surpassed that of 1972 but for a series of superb saves by Rousset. A dive to his left to touch away a first-half Richard Gough header was magnificent, yet when Hearts were most in need of inspiration the Frenchman proved vulnerable.

Time stood still for Rousset in the 49th minute. A harmless looking Laudrup cross required little more than a pick-up, but slippery hands and open legs ensured the ball travelled agonisingly over the line. That goal added to a beautifully worked opener for Rangers in the 37th minute, when Durie and Laudrup exchanged passes for the Dane to advance on Rousset and shoot into the corner.

Two goals to the good, Rangers produced some of the best football of the season. In the 67th minute Durie added a third and, although John Colquhoun added a consolation for Hearts, two more devastating finishes by Durie and Rangers' day was complete.

"We've got players who can punish opponents when we get in front and that is a big part of the game for us," was the understated view of Walter Smith, the Rangers manager.

For Hearts the 40-year wait for the trophy continues. Their disappointment stems as much from their unshakeable belief beforehand that this would be their day as from the margin of defeat, yet their improvement is shown by the fact they were bottom of the league in October.

Goals: Laudrup (37) 0-1; Laudrup (49) 0-2; Durie (65) 0-3; Colquhoun (76) 1-3; Durie (80) 1-4; Durie (86) 1-5.

Heart of Midlothian (4-4-2) Rousset; McPherson, McManus, Bruno (J Robertson, 58), Ritchie; Locke (Lawrence, 7), Mackay, Fulton, Pointon; Colquhoun, Johnston. Substitute not used: Hogarth.

Rangers (3-5-2): Goram; McLaren, Gough, Brown; Cleland, Ferguson (Durrant, 87), Gascoigne, McCall, D Robertson; Laudrup, Durie. Substitutes not used: Petric, Andersen.

Referee: H Dallas (Motherwell).

Bookings: Hearts: Ritchie. Rangers: Cleland, Ferguson.

Man of the match: Laudrup. Attendance: 37,730.