Continuing our coverage of the forthcoming League Cup final, we thought it worth looking at how Rangers normally fair in finals when not taking on the other half of the gruesome twosome. This does not make pleasant reading.
In ‘modern’ times, Rangers seem to be just about unbeatable in League Cup finals.They have won every final they have taken part in since Paul Mason’s extra time goal gave Aberdeen victory in 1989.Since then, along with one Old Firm success, Rangers have seen off challenges from Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts, St Johnstone and Ayr United.One positive though, only one of these wins was convincing, the 4-0 thrashing of lower league Ayr.The other matches were all settled by the odd goal.
Going back a bit longer, Rangers record against teams excluding Celtic in League Cup finals is also impressive.Between 1946 and 1988, Rangers have faced Aberdeen four times, Dundee United twice, Raith Rovers, Hearts, Morton and Dundee.Only the Dee got the better of them although Hearts did force a draw in the final before losing the replay.
So, all things considered, other non-Old Firm teams have not given us much cause for hope but surely they’re due another defeat now?Rangers' record in these games is P18 W15 D1 L2 F44 A20.Games which were settled on the day in extra time or penalties are counted as wins.
Rangers’ League Cup final record excluding Celtic:
2002 Rangers 4-0 Ayr
1998 Rangers 2-1 St Johnstone
1996 Rangers 4-3 Hearts
1993 Rangers 2-1 Hibs
1992 Rangers 2-1 Aberdeen
1989 Aberdeen 2-1 Rangers
1988 Rangers 3-2 Aberdeen
1987 Rangers 3-3 Aberdeen (won on pens)
1984 Rangers 1-0 Dundee United
1981 Rangers 2-1 Dundee United
1978 Rangers 2-1 Aberdeen
1963 Rangers 5-0 Morton
1961 Rangers 3-1 Hearts (after 1-1 draw)
1960 Rangers 2-0 Kilmarnock
1951 Dundee 3-2 Rangers
1948 Rangers 2-0 Raith Rovers
1946 Rangers 4-0 Aberdeen
It’s clearly time that they had another loss.
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