Summary

  • Tavernier slashes in only goal for Rangers late on

  • Rangers have won trophy for first time since 2011

  1. Rangers revel in cup victorypublished at 18:15 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Todd CantwellImage source, PA Media

    We'll wrap it up with those words from Philippe Clement, who hasn't really put a foot wrong since he arrived at Ibrox.

    Rangers add the League Cup to their trophy haul and the manager is in the mood for more.

  2. 'The rest of the season is a marathon'published at 18:11 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    One last hit from Rangers manager Philippe Clement, talking to BBC Scotland: "It's in the bank now. We have this one. The team has proven they can write history. We did that on Thursday (away to Real Betis) and again today - that is exceptional. We didn't lose our concentration, despite that moment of ecstasy. That's really important.

    "Now we have to confirm that we are growing over the next few weeks and months. We don't speak about the title. That's a marathon. We've been good in our two sprints so far - Seville and today. The rest of the season is a marathon - that's a different sport. We need to focus on ourselves.

    "We need to stay hungry and ambitious, to work hard and grow as a team and a club. If we do that, success comes automatically."

    Robson and ClementImage source, SNS
  3. 'Clement squeezing every last bit out of squad'published at 18:05 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Michael Stewart
    Former Scotland midfielder on Viaplay

    Things are falling apart across the city, momentum is building here under Philippe Clement.

    He's squeezing every last bit out of this squad and doing it very well.

  4. 'We can do really good things this season'published at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Some more from Rangers manager Philippe Clement, speaking to BBC Scotland...

    "That's why I do this job, to share it with players, staff and fans. I get my energy from that. It's an incredible evening.

    "It's great to get our hands on silverware after just nine weeks together.

    "There's not one fan or board member who is more demanding to win than me. That's my character.

    "I know with the mentality that is growing that we can do really good things this season."

  5. 'This is not the best Rangers team yet'published at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    "Getting results like this adds to the belief in the squad and adds to the synergy with the fans, which improves our energy," Rangers manager Philippe Clement tells Viaplay. "If you don't believe in yourself, you cannot perform, that's something we've been working on.

    "We have good momentum, but football is always about improving.

    "We had to be sharp. If one or two players are not switched on, we don't win the cup.

    "This is not the best Rangers team yet. We can still do things better over the next few months and that's what we will be doing."

    Philippe ClementImage source, PA Media
  6. 'Opportunity knocks for Rangers'published at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Ally McCoist
    Former Rangers striker & manager on Viaplay

    The more games the merrier. As a Rangers player, that's what you want and that's what is expected.

    Rangers have got momentum, there is an opportunity there, make no mistake.

  7. Games coming thick and fastpublished at 17:46 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    The Rangers squad can't get too carried away with the celebrations this evening since they have a match with St Johnstone coming on Wednesday.

    Aberdeen must pick themselves up to play Livingston at the same time.

  8. 'Aberdeen did not do enough'published at 17:41 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Willie Miller
    Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

    It's the last thing you want, to get to a cup final and not really take part, to end up losers. I've been there, I know it feels, it's a horrible feeling. Barry Robson will let the players know that they need to do better.

    They haven't tasted success since 2014. Dave Cormack will be bitterly disappointed with that fact as well. The players will be devastated, but they did not do enough.

    They didn't offer enough until the closing moments when it was desperation stuff and they threw men forward. At the end of the day, they got what they deserved.

    Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie is joined by his daughter at full-timeImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie is joined by his daughter at full-time

  9. 'We need to get back to finals'published at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Aberdeen manager Barry Robson tells BBC Sportsound: "The players gave me everything. First half, with transitions, we missed that final pass. We knew they were scared of that, but we picked the wrong pass.

    "Of course it's sore. I told my players that we need to try and get back here. We need to get to finals, to try and win. I can't ask any more from my players there. Rangers will have spells because they're a top team but I was pleased with the fight and work-rate they gave me today.

    "We're playing against a team that's just beaten Real Betis. Remember that. A lot of people have written Rangers off but I know they're a good team with a good manager.

    "We went toe to toe, we tried our best. We tried to fight in the last 10 minutes, made positive substitutions but we fell short.

    "Rangers have known they were in a game every time they've played us. We've performed well in some big games. My main focus is getting us back up the league, and getting us back to Hampden."

  10. 'I'm loving every minute'published at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Rangers midfielder John Lundstram tells BBC Sportsound: "It means the world to win trophies with this football club. I love the place and it's hit me somewhere inside. It's special every time I step out onto the pitch. To top the day off with silverware is special.

    "This club is built on success. To put a bit of history in there, to win a Scottish Cup, win a League Cup, to get to a Europa League final, it's special and I'm loving every minute."

    On the impact of Philippe Clement: "He's magnificent. He's brought an intensity to our work. The standards at the training ground are so high. He's a credit.

    "I'm just happy to playing and enjoying my football again."

    Rangers players get their hands on the trophyImage source, SNS
  11. Postpublished at 17:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Jack Butland didn't have an awful lot to do today, but he was solid in those closing moments when Aberdeen were trying to throw the kitchen sink at it.

  12. Postpublished at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Ally McCoist
    Former Rangers striker & manager on Viaplay

    Get Jack Butland on a Jim McLean contract!

  13. 'The captain gets us out of jail'published at 17:27 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland tells Viaplay: "It's been one of the best weeks in football for me.

    "It'd be easy to be complacent or tired after Thursday. It wasn't as easy as we would have liked, Aberdeen made it hard for us as they have before, but as the captain does, he gets us out of jail.

    "I can't thank him enough for delivering my first trophy for the club."

    On the mentality switch since Phillipe Clement came in, he adds: "It's always been there. We were a little lost but the character of the group as always been there, the manager has just simplified things and brought confidence back. Now we have a trophy to show for it.

    "Today we will enjoy this and we'll do what's next tomorrow."

    Jack ButlandImage source, SNS
  14. 'It's the start of something really special for this team'published at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    James TavernierImage source, SNS

    James Tavernier tells Viaplay he's "delighted to finally" complete the "long overdue" set of domestic trophies in Scotland.

    "Aberdeen gave us a tough game, but we knew if we remained tight at back and limited them our chance would come," he says.

    On his goal: "I said at half-time the back-post is on, I knew it in the first half, I just had to get in there.

    "I just kept thinking, 'I can't let it come down anymore', so I hit it down into the ground and when I saw it hit the back of the net, it was unreal."

    On the first trophy under Phillipe Clement he adds: "It's the start of something really special for this team.

    "This is a great first step. We've got to going to keep pushing and building on this momentum."

  15. 'Clement wants more and more'published at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Steven Thompson
    Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

    Rangers deserve to win. It's as simple as that. First half was poor, neither team showed up. Second half, Rangers did, and Aberdeen didn't.

    You felt the goal was coming, they were creating opportunities. It's very fitting for Tavernier to score, as a Rangers captain. He's been criticised for not winning enough trophies and it feels like he can't please everybody despite his goals.

    The success that Clement has had in such a short space of time has been incredible. When Michael Beale left, Rangers were on the floor. There were so many questions about recruitment, going another season without winning trophies.

    Clement has completely turned that around. He's won his first trophy but it won't be enough for him - he wants more and more. That is a mentality he will bring to the rest of the Rangers squad.

  16. 'These are the days that you dream of'published at 17:18 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    Rangers defender Connor Goldson tells BBC Sportsound: "It's huge. These are the days that you dream of. You come to this football club and you know the demand to win trophies. I'm happy to add another number onto that board. It's something you keep with you for the rest of your life.

    "Aberdeen are a tough team to play, but we came here full of belief and confidence. The last few weeks we've been in great form.

    "We go one step at a time. We've managed to win the first one of the season and we'll keep trying our best every single week. We know the demands, and to add another number onto the board is a massive achievement.

    "[Tavernier] doesn't stop, it's the same old story. He does it every year. This football club won't appreciate him enough until he's gone.

    "[Clement] has been massive. We were in a tough spot and he's come in and given the whole group belief. He's been huge for us, we're full of confidence now. All we want to do is keep winning games and trophies."

  17. Clement off to a flyerpublished at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    A trophy in the cabinet and unbeaten in his first 14 games... Philippe Clement can't have dreamed of a better start as Rangers manager.

    Rangers manager Philippe ClementImage source, SNS
  18. Up goes the cuppublished at 17:13 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    And now we have the red, white and blue tickertape and fireworks as James Tavernier lifts the cup to the heavens.

    James Tavernier lifts the trophyImage source, PA Media
  19. Postpublished at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    The trophy presentation is held up briefly as Philippe Clement runs to the touchline for a handshake with Barry Robson.

  20. Postpublished at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen

    A now the victors are forming a queue to get their hands on the trophy. In a few moments it won't be nearly so orderly.