Rangers vs Heart of Midlothian betting tips: Scottish Cup Final preview, predictions and odds

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This'll be the fifth Scottish Cup Final between the two with Rangers lifting the cup in 1903, 1976 and 1996 before Hearts prevailed in 1998. Only one of the 14 Scottish Cup Finals since '98 featuring one Old Firm team has been won by the non-Glasgow club, this being the Gers' 3-2 defeat to Hibs in 2016. The Jambos won the last cup meeting between the two, a 1-0 quarter-final victory in 2020, but Rangers have won their last three clashes. 

Both teams to score is 7/10.

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 1/1.

Rangers to win and both teams to score is 2/1.

James Tavernier has scored 83 goals for Rangers, but has never netted in 19 games against Hearts. The captain is 13/2 to open the scoring and 15/8 to break that statistically anomaly.  

Match preview

Hampden plays host the 137th Scottish Cup Final, 148 years on from Queen's Park's 1-0 victory in the first-ever final against Clydesdale.

In the intervening years, Rangers have lifted this trophy 33 times, but are looking to reclaim the cup for the first time since 2009.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side have enjoyed far from ideal preparation for this game, following an energy-sapping an emotional week.

On Wednesday night, the Light Blues faced Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League Final, just the club's fifth final on the continent.

The tens of thousands who made the trip to Seville were believing in the 58th minute when Joe Aribo pounced on some slack defending and finished cooly.

However, the Bundesliga side weren't behind for long, just 12 minutes in fact, with Rafael Santos Borré poking home an equaliser.

That proved to be the end of the scoring, meaning a penalty shootout was required at Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

Aaron Ramsey, who only came on in the 117th minute, was the only man to miss from 12 yards, meaning Frankfurt lifted the trophy aloft.

It was an amazing journey to Seville that ultimately ended in heartbreak, meaning Rangers turn to this competition as their fourth and final shot at silverware.

So far in the cup, the Bears have swatted aside Stirling Albion, Annan Athletic and Dundee before coming from behind to beat Celtic in the semis.

Will the Gers claim a domestic cup for the first time since 2011?

Don't write off Heart of Midlothian though; they will have been delighted to see Wednesday night's game go the distance.

Robbie Neilson's side came third in the Premiership this season, despite this being their first season back in the top-flight.

So, the Jambos have already qualified for the Europa League play-offs, guaranteeing themselves eight games in UEFA competition next season.

Thus, Hearts are looking to cap off a mightily impressive campaign with some silverware.

In the cup, they've overcome Auchinleck Talbot, Livingston on penalties, St Mirren and then Edinburgh rivals Hibs last month.

Hearts are competing in their 17th Scottish Cup Final, winning eight and losing eight to date.

They last lifted the cup in 2012, subsequently losing in 2019 and 2020, both times to Celtic.

Will Rangers end a disappointing week with silverware, or can Hearts cause a bit of an upset at Hampden Park?

Rangers team news

Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces some tough selection decisions given that most of his key man played 120+ minutes little over 65 hours ago.

In goal, Allan McGregor made his 444th appearance for the club on Wednesday night and it could be his last.

The 40 year old is set to depart this summer with Jon McLaughlin, who started the semi-final against Celtic, back between the sticks here too.

Calvin Bassey and Connor Goldson are the usual centre-back duo, but Leon Balogun could be rotated in; Filip Helander is injured.

James Tavernier will, this time, be hoping to get his hands on some silverware after heartbreak in Seville.

In midfield, Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and John Lundstram are the usual trio but, again, all three will surely be fatigued to varying degrees.

They do have options in this area though, namely James Sands, Scott Arfield, Steven Davis and Aaron Ramsey.

The latter will be looking to make up for his missed penalty and could become the sixth player to win the Scottish Cup as well as the FA Cup.

In attack, Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi are out while Kemar Roofe was only fit enough to feature for three minutes on Wednesday.

Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo and Scott Wright led the attack but Amad and/or Fashion Sakala add freshness.

Heart of Midlothian team news

These two actually met in the Premiership last Saturday, Rangers won 3-1, but both managers rotated heavily with this game in mind.

So, all of Robbie Neilson's big guns will be restored to the XI for this game.

Ellis Simms, who scored a rocket in the semi-final against Hibernian, will lead the line with Liam Boyce in support.

39 year old goalkeeper Craig Gordon has won this trophy four times in his career, including with Hearts 16 years ago.

In defence, how's this for a subplot, John Souttar will make his final appearance for Hearts before joining Rangers on a free in the summer.

He's fit again so Souttar and Craig Halkett will return at centre-back, with Michael Smith and Stephen Kingsley either side.

Andy Halliday is the last Rangers player to score in a Scottish Cup Final, but will face his boyhood club in this one.

Scottish Premiership table:

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