James Tavernier is once again Rangers’ man of the moment as the Ibrox club defeat Aberdeen in the League Cup Final.
The Ibrox skipper scored the only goal of the game by volleying home a Borna Barisic cross in a tight showpiece encounter between two spirited sides at Hampden.
In doing so, James Tavernier ended a 13-year wait to lift the trophy with Rangers fans having to go back to Nikica Jelavic’s winner over Celtic back in the 2010/11 campaign for the last time the club won the trophy.
Also new manager Philippe Clement’s first piece of silverware at Ibrox, here’s three things we learned on a famous night for Rangers in the southside of Glasgow.
James Tavernier the Final hero
As has so often been the case for Rangers over the years, it’s James Tavernier who was the hero for the Ibrox side when it really mattered.
The flying right-back, 31, has had his fair share of criticism over the years but the Ibrox skipper is rarely found wanting on the big ocassion.
With Rangers struggling to break down a spirited Aberdeen – who contributed to a combative League Cup Final in Glasgow – it was James Tavernier who once again proved the difference.
A Rangers legend who fans are going to sorely miss when he hangs up his boots.
Philippe Clement breaks Rangers League Cup hoodoo
Heading into the League Cup Final, the match had extra significance for Rangers given it was Philippe Clement’s first shot at silverware for the club.
The Belgian manager has had a transformative impact since coming into Rangers in October and the club had a chance to lay down an early sighter at this young stage of Clement’s tenure.
Not only would lifting the trophy send a message that Rangers are ready to start winning consistently under the Belgian manager, but it would shift a depressing period without lifting this cup.
Often called the Rangers Cup by supporters of a certain vintage, going 13 years without lifting the trophy is a scandal in Ibrox terms and it’s Philippe Clement who has broken the spell.
Rangers lifted the League Cup – currently called the ViaPlay Cup – for a record 28th time.
Rangers treble dream alive
Whilst Rangers will just be fully focused on enjoying the moment with the League Cup Final victory, fans are beginning to dream of a first domestic treble since 2002/03.
Old Firm rivals Celtic have won five trebles in the last seven seasons – now boasting a world-record eight treble achievements – with Rangers’ previous record of seven blown away within the last decade.
Many in this Rangers squad owe a loyal support more silverware and more success in this regard and a treble win would be some way to begin exorcising the demons of the last few seasons.
With Celtic imploding on domestic duties – Rangers now capable of going top of the league if they win their two games in hand – the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup are up next.
Given the Gers’ success against Real Betis in midweek too, maybe a shot at Euro glory isn’t completely out of the question either.
