Aberdeen manager Barry Robson found himself lamenting a moment of exceptional ‘quality’ from Rangers’ captain, James Tavernier. Tavernier’s scissor kick finish in the 76th minute proved to be the decisive moment that led the Glasgow giants to victory, clinching the League Cup.
The victory capped off a remarkable week for Rangers, starting with a 1-0 deficit against Dundee at home and concluding with the team sitting just five points away from the top of the table, securing a spot in the Europa League knock-out stages, and adding a trophy to their cabinet. Philippe Clement, who took over as Rangers manager just two months ago, celebrated his first piece of silverware, succeeding Mick Beale in the Ibrox dugout.
Reflecting on the game, Robson acknowledged the effort his team put in but admitted frustration at not being able to counter Tavernier’s spectacular goal. “The players gave us everything, that was clear,” sighed Robson. “When you’ve got Rangers hanging in there at the end, kicking balls off the pitch, it shows you what we tried to do. We want to come back and be in more finals.”
Robson acknowledged the challenge of facing Rangers, describing them as “a good side, with a good manager” capable of notable victories, such as their recent triumph over Real Betis in Spain. He credited Tavernier’s individual brilliance for making the difference in the final, stating, “It’s a proper team we’re playing against, and Tavernier had that wee bit of quality to separate the teams.”
Expressing disappointment for the fans, Robson added, “We gave it a go, and I’m frustrated for the fans that we couldn’t get the ball over the line for them.” The League Cup triumph marked only Rangers’ second domestic cup victory since 2011 and their first League Cup title in the last 12 years.