AFTER the extreme excitement of the first one, Hampden probably needed something a bit more moderate, maybe even mundane.
And that's what the old place got yesterday as Rangers eliminated Hearts with the minimum of fuss, in a game which was as good as over from the moment Cyriel Dessers rolled his side into an early lead.
So when Dessers doubled up with another one near the end it removed all remaining doubt.
In between times Hearts offered some huffing and puffing but never anything that meant the Ibrox men were significantly troubled.
No dramatic plot twists. No game-changing VAR decisions. No goalkeepers mentally malfunctioning during penalties. There wasn't even a great deal of football to focus on in between all the long-ball hoofing and tigerish tackling, just a rolling brawl with the ball in the middle.
In the hustle and bustle of it all, Todd Cantwell and Mohamed Diomande produced occasional nuggets of gold and sprinkled them around a congested midfield. Their quality was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
And yet, for Rangers and Philippe Clement, this win, as straightforward as it was to achieve, might in retrospect be looked upon as a key moment in a tumultuous season.
Because it means the Belgian will have the chance to bring down the curtain on his first campaign with another shot at Celtic and perhaps an opportunity to buy himself some breathing space for the summer, should it transpire the damage has already been done to his hopes of landing the league title.
Denne historien er fra April 22, 2024-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 22, 2024-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
KEEP CALM & VALAKARI ON
New boss still watching from stand but Kirk says it Saint an obstacle
NO MAD THING
Slot says he's not worried about TAA to Real talk
Kids need a healthy diet to concentrate
Five-a-day fruit and veg scheme a major boost
NEIGH LUCK
Kelpies creator Andy tells how work dried up after he finished landmark.
Sails force greets the royals on Aussie trip
THE famous sails of Sydney Opera House give the King and Queen a special welcome as they touch down on their tour of Australia.
CHIP SHOP ASSAULTS RAP STAR QUITS CLUB
A SCOTTISH Premiership club has announced the departure of a player after he was charged with assault.
NOW END THE WAR
Peace plea after death of Hamas Oct 7 chief
Tributes to 'angel' Alana killed in A71 horror smash
A WOMAN who was killed in a horror crash in Ayrshire has been named locally as barmaid Alana Muir.
Bus driver death: Teen pleads guilty
Drunk yob headbutted and rained punches on Keith
REEVES EYES INHERITANCE IN TAX RAIDS
Chancellor also mulls welfare cuts to find £40bn