Rangers suffer Hampden heartache as Celtic snatch Scottish Cup win

Abdallah Sima had a second half effort ruled out following a VAR check. On a day when Rangers produced a much improved performance in the derby, their efforts went to waste. At the whistle, Clement's side slumped to the Hampden turf.

A sore one for Clement to take

This was the end of the cycle. In some ways, it was perhaps fitting that the curtain should be brought down in this manner. When it really mattered, Rangers couldn’t get over the line. So close, yet so far. Again.

This was an Old Firm that many supporters didn’t fancy their chances of winning. Ultimately, it became one that they couldn’t believe that they lost. This was a cruel finale to a campaign that at one stage promised so much for Clement and the side he inherited in October.

The coming weeks will see many of these players head for the exit door. Over recent seasons, Rangers simply have not won enough and the time, money and effort invested by many on and off the park hasn’t been paid back.

The final result is, of course, all that ever really matters in an Old Firm. The search for positives is futile and meaningless. In time, Clement will have the chance to assess where this game, and this season, went wrong. There are lessons to be learned in many regards.

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Rangers chances go to waste

The first half was largely low on quality but there was enough in it to make it a compelling watch. Clement’s side had, at least, not shot themselves in the foot by the time they returned to the dressing room and there were positives for the Ibrox boss to take. Fabio Silva saw a tame effort saved by Joe Hart, while Cyriel Dessers endured a frustrating 45 minutes in front of goal. His best chance was well blocked in a congested penalty area. Calls for a foul when Liam Scales pushed Dujon Sterling over were waved away by referee Walsh.

The joy that Daizen Maeda got against James Tavernier was a concern for Clement. The skipper was caught out a couple of times in the opening minutes and Rangers had to be worried about that particular threat.

It was one that Celtic didn’t exploit often after the break. It was Rangers who had the momentum and who had the ball in the net first as Sima’s goal was chopped off. Before that, Ridvan Yilmaz had given Hart an easy save with a weak drive from distance. A Nicolas Raskin cross that flashed across goal had heads in hands at both ends and a series of corners were followed by a Sima header and effort that were saved after a promising break.

In the end, it was all meaningless. The winner came from Idah with just seconds remaining as Jack Butland spilled a Matt O’Riley effort. There was no way back for Rangers.

Walking wounded come through when needed

Clement kept his cards close to his chest in his broadcast press conference on Thursday but expressed his main concerns in his interview with written journalists at Hampden. Yilmaz, he revealed, was in tears after the fixture against Hearts and there were major doubts over Leon Balogun. Mercifully for Rangers, both were able to start here.

So much of this season has been spent talking about those who were not fit rather than those who were able to pull on their boots. That must change next term and Clement has referenced that on several occasions. For one last time, he had to ask his players to dig deep and get through.

The absences of Connor Goldson and John Souttar were known. There was no place on the bench for Leon King, though, and Clement did not have a recognised centre-back option in reserve. He did, at least, have Rabbi Matondo and Sima to give Rangers threat from the sidelines. Sima was called upon at the break as he replaced Dessers.

Matondo took over from Silva with 15 minutes remaining, while Cantwell was withdrawn as Scott Wright was introduced. Rangers had plenty of options. None of them could find the moment of magic that was required to win this one.

Cantwell justifies Clement faith

The decision to start Cantwell was arguably the most important that Clement made. The Belgian had come in for criticism after the defeat at Parkhead for the shape of his midfield and opting against adding Sterling in alongside Raskin and Mohamed Diomande was a big call. To say that Cantwell needed a performance was an understatement.

A cross from the right wasn’t rewarded with a Dessers finish, while another promising situation on that side was spurned with a wayward effort. A challenge from Reo Hatate gave Cantwell a sore one but he was able to continue.

Cantwell sees himself as a match-winner and a game-changer, especially in occasions such as this. Too often, the words have not been backed up with actions. He didn’t see the 90 minutes on this occasion, but it was not a reflection of his performance. The Rangers midfield, with Diomande as the standout by some distance, matched Celtic this time and Cantwell had played his part in that.

Referee calls spark usual controversies

It wouldn’t be an Old Firm game without a bit of VAR controversy. This was another 90 minutes that will provoke plenty of debates and discussions as referee Nick Walsh was the man in the middle in more ways than one.

The decision not to award a foul for the shove on Sterling was unfathomable. The one to book the Englishman for a challenge on Greg Taylor in the second half was even worse. It was barely a free-kick, never mind a yellow card.

The two main incidents occurred in the penalty area in front of the Rangers End. No penalty was awarded to Celtic for a handball claim against Ben Davies. The guidance given from the VAR was that it was a natural movement and therefore not punishable.

The infringement that saw the opening goal rescinded was negligible. Sima bundled the ball over the line at the back post but Raskin was adjudged to have shoved Hart and impeded the keeper. Once again in the derby, a huge moment went against Rangers at an inopportune moment. The final check was for a potential red card for Diomande. That call was the right one.