Youth Bears

19s Miss Big Chance

RANGERS are still in with a chance of retaining their Clydesdale Bank under-19 League title but they are kicking themselves for failing to close the gap.

Billy Kirkwood's boys drew 0-0 with Celtic at Murray Park today and leaders Hibs were also held, drawing 1-1 with their city rivals Hearts.

It means Rangers are still five points behind the Easter Road lads with a game in hand and they are now relying on Motherwell to do them a favour.

Hibs face the Fir Park youngsters in their final fixture on Friday, April 24 and if they win this match the title will be theirs.

The league leaders also have a seven goal advantage in terms of goal difference so even a draw in Lanarkshire might be enough as Rangers would have to score eight goals without reply in their remaining matches with Aberdeen and Inverness to pip them.

Hearts, however, are also still in the frame. If they win their three remaining matches they could finish ahead of both Rangers and Hibs, but only if Hibs draw their last game.

Rangers FC

Freitag 15 Uhr Murray Park:

Rangers v Aberdeen

Don and Dusted

RANGERS under-19s put the disappointment of losing their SPL crown behind them to secure a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Murray Park.

An excellent goal from substitute Max Wright (pictured left) on the hour mark was enough to get all three points in what was the club's penultimate game of the season.

Billy Kirkwood was missing several of his key players for the game including Danny Wilson who has been called in to first-team squad for tomorrow's Scottish Cup semi-final against St. Mirren.

But the Light Blues enjoyed a lot of possession in the first-half and were unlucky not to go in at the break with their noses in front.

Stephen Forbes was guilty of missing a sitter in the opening ten minutes when Kyle McAusland crossed in to the box and, with Dons keeper Scott Bain flapping, the midfielder headed wide of the empty net.

Archie Campbell was always a threat and his superb turn and shot looked to be heading for the top corner before but Bain was there to make an outstanding save.

The opening goal finally arrived after the half-time interval and it was a worth the wait.

Wright played a delightful one-two with Jamie Ness to get in to the 18-yard box and his low, instinctive finish curled beautifully in to the net.

The visitors fought back but substitute Stephen O'Donell, in particular, was wasteful with two great chances to get his side back in to the game.

Rangers, however, held on to their lead and thoroughly deserved the victory.

They had gone into the game already knowing that Hibs had won the League.

Alistair Stevenson's men knew that three points against Motherwell in their final league would take the trophy to Easter Road for the first time and end any hopes Rangers and Hearts had of mounting a late challenge.

They managed it thanks to a last minute goal from Kurtis Byrne and the news will come as a blow to Billy Kirkwood's kids who put up a brave fight throughout the campaign despite having a young squad of players at this level.

Kirkwood said: "It was a hard fought win. We had a couple of great chances in the first-half which would have helped us on our way.

"But we had a really young team out there due to a injuries, suspensions and Danny Wilson going with the first-team squad also.

"So we were really pleased to get the three points and that keeps us in pole position for second place.

"With the exception of Steph Stirling the team that was out there today will make us the basis for our under-19 team next season.

"So there is a lot to play for and the boys that came in today all showed a great desire to show what they could do.

"It was a great finish from Max Wright, he has been working very hard and has waited patiently for his chance.

"Overall I am pleased with the victory, especially after finding out that Hibs had won the league.

"We told the boys it was irrelevent what happened at Fir Park because you can't influence what goes on elsewhere, we can only focus on getting three points for Rangers.

"Credit to Hibs as they have scored late goals on a couple of occasions to get wins and they did the same today.

"They've deserved to win the league this season as we did the previous two years.

"We now look forward to the cup game and hope we can win the SFA Youth Cup for the third year in a row."

RANGERS: Adam; Durie, Scott, Cole, Wylde (McCabe); Forbes, Stirling (Dick), Ness; Campbell (Wright), McAusland, Naismith

Let's Make It A Hat-Trick

RANGERS' under-19s were gutted to relinquish their grip on the SPL trophy on Friday but they will be able to get a bit of revenge tonight when they take on league winners Hibs in the final of the SFA Youth Cup at Hampden.

Billy Kirkwood's side are looking to win the prestigious tournament for a third consecutive year having beaten Old Firm rivals Celtic at the national stadium in 2007 and 2008.

It is sure to be another massive night for the Murray Park youngsters who have put up a great fight this season despite having a young squad that includes several players still eligible at under-17 level.

The Light Blues still have one league remaining, away to Inverness Caley Thistle on May 9, but the Cup is now the only chance they have of picking up silverware.

Kirkwood is hoping his young guns can again rise to the challenge but is fully aware they will need to be at their best to beat an impressive Hibs team who have knocked out Stenhousemuir, Ross County, Raith Rovers and Falkirk on the road to Hampden.

He said: "All the boys are really looking forward to the final and playing at Hampden is a big thing for them. Hampden Park

"This is the third year in a row we have managed to get this far in the competition and our past finals against Celtic were fantastic occasions.

"I am sure that will be the same when we meet Hibs and hopefully a good crowd will turn up to watch the game and get behind our boys.

"I know it's not an Old Firm game but Hibs have enjoyed a very good season and clinched the title last week.

"They are one of the older teams in the league which has perhaps helped them, they have eight or nine players in their last year at under-19, but they are a good side and we will need to play very well to win."

Hibs will go in to this evening's big game high in confidence having beaten Motherwell at Fir Park to clinch the under-19 championship on Friday and they have also beaten Rangers twice in the league this season in Edinburgh and at Murray Park.

On paper it might seem that Kirkwood's kids are the underdogs going in to the final but the coach is confident his players have the talent and skill to come out on top.

He said: "This season we have had some very good performances in the league and throughout our cup run although we had some disappointing results in the SPL which proved costly.

"We didn't necessarily play badly in these games we were just guilty of missing good goalscoring chances and at any level you need to take them if you are going to be Champions.

"In the cup, however, we have scored a lot of goals when you consider we beat Brora Rangers 6-0, Dumbarton 3-1, Motherwell 4-3 and Inverness 6-2 to get to Hampden.

"Hopefully we can keep that going against Hibs in the final and that we can be ruthless on the night."

Kirkwood has fond memories from his side's SFA Youth Cup final wins over Celtic in the past two seasons and would love to see his boys make it three-in-a-row. John Fleck

He said: "Going to Hampden is a massive thing for the boys and it's a day they will never forget.

"All their families will come along as well as a lot of Rangers fans so it's a big night for everyone including me.

"The last two finals against Celtic were brilliant occasions and it helped, of course, that we won.

"The first, in 2007, we played very well and it finished 5-0 with Stevie Lennon getting a great hat-trick.

"Last year we did not hit the same standards in terms of our performance but managed to win 3-1 after extra-time with John (Fleck) getting a couple of goals.

"Nevertheless both games were wonderful occasions and I am sure it will be the same for the boys tonight.

"It's important they enjoy it but at the same time they have to be very focused on the job and remember that it's only special if they win.

"In any final there is a winner and a loser and while it's great if you get your hands on the trophy it's the worst feeling in the world if you are watching your opponents celebrating.

"Our boys will know that before the game starts and they will all be desperate to stop Hibs doing the double."

Tonight's game will kick-off at 7.30pm.

So, Meister Hibernian ist beim Cup Final heute Abend Favorit, aber wer weiß, vielleicht schaffen es die jungen Bears ja.

1:0 für Hibs

Half-time: Rangers 0-1 Hibs (Burns)

Sind sie! Das muss man neidlos anerkennen. Die haben die Liga echt verdient gehabt.

Archie Campbell 1-1

Kaum ein Unterschied zu den Profis. Grant Adam verletzt vom Platz getragen. :juergen:

Man kommt einfach nicht ins Bett. I)

Aber klasse wie sie Hibernian Paroli bieten.

Das stimmt in der Tat. Hibernian hat fast nur alten Jahrgang.

Aber es ist schon bemerkenswert, wie viele Spieler Hibernian immer wieder nach oben bringt.