The pundits have weighed in with their Scottish Cup semi-final verdicts after Hearts were edged out 2-0 by Rangers at Hampden Park.
A winless streak at the national stadium against the Ibrox club stretches to 15 games for the Jambos, who went down to a Cyriel Dessers double. Early tricky feet from the Nigerian handed Steven Naismith’s men the worst possible start before John Lundstram dispossessed impressive Tynecastle youngster Macaulay Tait, giving Todd Cantwell incentive to tee up another Dessers goal.
Rangers face Celtic in the final. It means that Hearts now have five post-split Premiership games remaining this term, with third spot confirmation the aim now that position has been cemented as a European group stage place.
From John Robertson to a hero of 2012, here is what the pundits thought of the match between Hearts and Rangers in Mount Florida.
Rangers face Celtic in the final. It means that Hearts now have five post-split Premiership games remaining this term, with third spot confirmation the aim now that position has been cemented as a European group stage place.
!["The better team won. I was a little bit disappointed with Hearts. I thought they'd have a go, but I don't think they showed enough intent or general aggression to win the game. The second goal wins it but up until that point, Rangers looked comfortable, without being brilliant."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/18/16/56/GettyImages-1472951864.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Ally McCoist (Premier Sports)
"The better team won. I was a little bit disappointed with Hearts. I thought they'd have a go, but I don't think they showed enough intent or general aggression to win the game. The second goal wins it but up until that point, Rangers looked comfortable, without being brilliant." | Getty Images
!["Hearts had their moments, they just never took them. We said this pre-game, it'll be decided by those moments, namely the 4v3 when you go through, when it's 1-0. You are thinking it has to be an end product. It's a really good chance to get back in the game and that decisive last action wasn't there for Hearts."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/10/02/11/GettyImages-1425966094.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Kenny Miller (Sportsound)
"Hearts had their moments, they just never took them. We said this pre-game, it'll be decided by those moments, namely the 4v3 when you go through, when it's 1-0. You are thinking it has to be an end product. It's a really good chance to get back in the game and that decisive last action wasn't there for Hearts." | Getty Images
!["Cantwell was really clever at finding space in behind. All game, he looked to play behind the two Hearts central midfielders. As soon as someone starts the press, he moves off to the side. Hearts had trouble with it all game. At the first goal, nobody was near him. Too many times, he wasn't picked up, and maybe that was Hearts' fault."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjgwYjgwMDJhLTllMjYtNDcxMS1iOGIzLTczMDY1M2RmNGJkNjo5Y2JkMTUwYy1hMTY1LTRjOGUtODJhYS03MWQxMjY5YmU3YWE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Callum Davidson (Sportscene)
"Cantwell was really clever at finding space in behind. All game, he looked to play behind the two Hearts central midfielders. As soon as someone starts the press, he moves off to the side. Hearts had trouble with it all game. At the first goal, nobody was near him. Too many times, he wasn't picked up, and maybe that was Hearts' fault." Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
!["Rangers created more clear-cut chances. They got the early goal they wanted to give them that lift, and pretty much controlled the first half. Hearts played their way back into it but didn't really work Jack Butland and never quite created that opportunity. Second half they changed it. They carried a greater threat with Kenneth Vargas through the middle. But Todd Cantwell kept getting in that pocket of space and he changed the game. There's a brilliant chance for Oda and if he scored it's 2-1 with two minutes to go plus injury time. You never know. Hearts, is it a missed opportunity? Yes. They didn't quite get to the levels Steven Naismith would have wanted. Fair play to the Hearts players, every single one to a man got a hold of young Macaulay Tait because the lad was distraught. They all went to the young lad who was in tears, to say unlucky and it happens, don't worry about it. He's a fine young football player and that is the way he plays football. He has a great future in front of him."](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/04/10/11/20693433.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. John Robertson (Sportsound)
"Rangers created more clear-cut chances. They got the early goal they wanted to give them that lift, and pretty much controlled the first half. Hearts played their way back into it but didn't really work Jack Butland and never quite created that opportunity. Second half they changed it. They carried a greater threat with Kenneth Vargas through the middle. But Todd Cantwell kept getting in that pocket of space and he changed the game. There's a brilliant chance for Oda and if he scored it's 2-1 with two minutes to go plus injury time. You never know. Hearts, is it a missed opportunity? Yes. They didn't quite get to the levels Steven Naismith would have wanted. Fair play to the Hearts players, every single one to a man got a hold of young Macaulay Tait because the lad was distraught. They all went to the young lad who was in tears, to say unlucky and it happens, don't worry about it. He's a fine young football player and that is the way he plays football. He has a great future in front of him." | SNS Group