Rangers Steal CIS Cup from Dundee United

Kris Boyd is Rangers hero tonight after the super sub saved the mighty Gers from a shock cup defeat at the hands of Dundee United at Hampden Park.

Rangers were playing in their first League Cup Final since they beat Motherwell 5-1 in the 04/05 final. The Glasgow giants have had a two difficult trophyless years and the Ibrox faithful were eagerly anticipating lifting the CIS Insurance trophy today.

They last met opponents Dundee United in a League Cup Final back in the 84/85 final. A match Rangers won 1-0 in a game was also played at Hampden Park.

Dundee United had been absent from the League Cup Final since their 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Celtic, in the 97/98 final at Ibrox.

Rangers came into this one on a high following their aggregate win over Werder Bremen in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. United also came into the final with confidence after showing good league form before holding Celtic to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday night.

To the surprise of many, it was Dundee United and not Rangers who opened the scoring in the 34th minute. The Terriors top scorer Noel Hunt was the man on target.

Rangers struggled hard to get back into the game but seemed to be firing blanks as the clock ticked away. Anticipation grew however as Kris Boyd stripped for action and was sent on to rescue the Light Blues.

Comparisons to the 94 Scottish Cup Final, where a single Craig Brewster goal won the cup for Dundee United over a stunned Rangers, were already on the lips of fans and journalists throughout the ground.

It wasn't to be the case though as Kris Boyd equalized with just minutes to play. It was fitting the big striker scored such an important and timely goal as he has been overlooked for many big games this season, but showed his true value today, scoring when it mattered most.

The game went into extra time with Rangers on the front foot after their late equalizer. It counted for nothing as Dundee United's Mark De Vries sent their supporters into raptures with what could well have been the winning goal.

Could the battle weary Rangers come back yet again?

With 8 minutes to go in extra time Rangers levelled the tie through who else but that man Kris Boyd. What an hour the striker was having, again hauling his beloved Rangers back into cup contention.

With honours even the game ticked towards the lottery of penalty kicks. Neither team could snatch a winner, so it was left to shots from 12 yards to decide the 07/08 CIS Insurance Cup winners.

Rangers were the first to miss, Jean-laude Darcheville hitting the crossbar with Rangers first effort.

Maybe it was to be Dundee United's day after all!

Dundee United though proceeded to succumb to the huge pressure with misses from David Robertson, Craig Conway and Lee Wilkie. On form Rangers keeper Alan McGregor (Rangers midweek hero in the UEFA Cup) made 2 penalty saves either side of a miss from Lee McCulloch.

This left Kris Boyd with a chance to win the Cup for Rangers. Boyd then stepped up and completed what must be his finest hour. 

Take nothing away from a spirited Dundee United performance. This game could easily have gone either way. United played their part in a thrilling encounter but you can't have two winners.

Rangers are the 07/08 CIS Insurance Cup champions!