Add to that we've won most and on more than a few occasions in pretty dramatic style. Mostly though it was a League Cup Final that sealed the deal for me as a Rangers fan. In 1984 I was seven I watched some guy called Ally McCoist score three goals against Celtic to win the cup for Rangers. At the time I thought Ally gave away a penalty just to make sure the game went to extra-time so he'd have more time to get his 3rd - a part of me still does! Rangers are my dad's team so it was never in doubt but this got me hooked on following what the team were up to. Shortly after I went to my first game, and at the start of the next season I became an Ibrox regular and have never stopped.
But back to the League Cup, and with the format changing, my first Cup Final came later in 84 with Iain Ferguson scoring the only goal against Dundee Utd. Being young and small I couldn't see much but it was still great although I didn't get to another final for a while as the terraces weren't too great for the youngster. So TV brought such classics as Durrant and Cooper downing Celtic again in 86 before the classic penalties win over Aberdeen. The best memory being of course Super Cooper's free kick, prompting me and my pal Iain to charge round his living room screaming, while his dad looked on stunned muttering "What a goal!"
Another classic win over Aberdeen followed the next year before a rare defeat which was an odd experience to say the least. Richard Gough marked his arrival as captain with the winner in 1990 before I made my return to attending finals in 92. Gary Smith nodded an extra time OG with me and Iain watching on from the North Terrace and for those who remember there's nothing like celebrating a dramatic goal on packed terraces. Superb! Celtic Park never looked so good the next year as we looked on from behind the goal as that man McCoist's overhead kick beat Jim Leighton in 93.
Failing to reach two finals in a row was a real anomaly although the outcome of the 94 final almost made our absence alright. However it was business as usual in 96 despite the tournament specialist Super Ally and Paul Gascoigne having an on-field dispute (anyone doubting Ally's will to win should check that out). Both scored twice in a 4-3 win over Hearts, with Gascoigne's two especially memorable.
A new era was ushered in with a Jorg Albertz winner against St Johnstone giving Dick Advocaat his first trophy in November 98. We missed another couple of finals before a comfortable Caniggia inspired win over Ayr United, in a final that had been preceded by Bert Konterman's screamer in the Semi against Celtic. By the time the 2003 final came along I was travelling in Australia and having tried every Supporters Club in Australia for help to find the right channel I had to rely on texts at half time and full time as I lay in bed in a campervan in Cairns. HT 2-0 Caniggia and Lovenkrands. Nice one I thought, no worries! FT Won 2-1 Hartson missed pen in last minute. Lennon sent off. Oooft!
Odd to get that text and instantly know you've won when for the troops at home it must've been torture! I visited the Great Barrier Reef the next day. Not sure it made up for missing the game though! Still in Australia in 2005 I was in Perth and in the middle of a very important 2 weeks in work. So much so that I considered not watching the final v Motherwell! I called the WA Rangers Supporters Club just to check if it was on. A local answered and said 'yes we are showing the Scottish Final. Will you be coming down?' 'Bloody right I will!'. 5-1 and at half time they were dishing out rolls and square sausage. Thanks for coming!
On the eve of the 2008 final v Dundee Utd I was in London to realise the dream of seeing the great Neil Young live. 4th row at the Hammersmith Apollo and with Neil believing in value for money his set was comfortably 3 hours long. Excellent except we had to leave half an hour early to catch the bus back to Glasgow. After an nightmare trip including a flat tyre which saw us still in Birmingham awaiting ATS 6 hours after leaving London and me starting to panic I'd not be home in time. Fortunately I live near Hampden and made it home with 90 minutes to spare. After a draining journey the match was fraught with Boyd equalising twice before rattling in the winning penalty. I needed a lie down after all that!
The less said about 2009 the better. The worst showing in a final I've ever seen from Rangers and a performance akin to the 4 horror shows we've had to endure since the turn of the year. 2010 was pretty remarkable with Walter taking charge as Thomson and Wilson were sent off. A superb defensive showing from Sir David of Weir who started the attack that led to Miller heading in the only goal for the 9 men. We will fight til the day is done!
And so to two Sundays ago and if the previous sentence was appropriate last year then it should be in capitals now. Sensational! One of the best game I've been to, and I've been to some good ones. The three Steven's were incredible, Naismith was tireless, Whittaker stepped up when it really mattered and as for Davis? I'll hesitate to say it was the best performance by a Ranger in a Final since the Laudrup final but for me it wasn't a million miles away. Wylde again showed why he's so highly though of and the whole team did everything we all spoke of in the build up, first to the ball, in Celtic's faces and getting after their defence.
We've eleven more cup finals now and with the same endeavour in every one it'll be 3 in a row. Celtic thought we were gone, perhaps some of us did too but there's clearly plenty of life left in our squad. The belief should be souring through the team and in the stands too. The comparisons to 97-98 have gone and it's time to write a new and glorious chapter in the history of the world's most successful club, and after everything we've put up with lately isn't that beautiful?
We Are The People!
Giopeople