Four Socceroos have had their Scottish Cup final dream dashed despite a battling performance by Hearts at Hampden Park.
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Nathaniel Atkinson, Kye Rowles and Cameron Devlin were in the Jambos team beaten 2-0 by Rangers, who thus set up an Old Firm final. Compatriot Calem Nieuwenhof, currently sidelined by a hamstring injury, would also have been in the frame for the final.
A Cyriel Dessers double proved the difference. The enigmatic Gers striker slid in the opener after five minutes and then sealed the victory in the 78th minute for a 2-0 win.
But Hearts had their chances, and were the better team for much of the long period between the goals.
At the end the Edinburgh team slumped to their feet. It would have been their fourth final in six years but they have not won any of them.
Atkinson and Devlin were in the team beaten by Rangers in the 2022 final, and eager for revenge.
Instead Rangers will meet Celtic in the May 25 final at the national stadium by which time it will be known which of the Old Firm clubs have won the Premiership title race, which the Hoops are leading by three points with five fixtures remaining.
Both sides had a lot to live up to after Saturday's epic semi-final between Celtic and Aberdeen which the Hoops won 6-5 on penalties after a 3-3 draw but in the event it had less excitement and less quality.
The Jambos have now lost four times to Rangers this season and have not beaten the Light Blues in their last 18 attempts.
Dessers struck early after Todd Cantwell set him up inside the box. He dragged the ball to his left past Atkinson, leaving the Australian on the deck, and steered it low past veteran keeper Craig Gordon for his 18th of the season.
Thereafter Hearts were often the better side, but in the 78th minute Dessers settled the tie.
Cantwell drove forward and found the Nigerian. His first shot was blocked by Gordon but he made no mistake when collecting the rebound.
with PA
Australian Associated Press
