Rangers book final spot

Skipper Barry Ferguson and Jean-Claude Darcheville were both on the scoresheet to set up a clash with Aberdeen or Dundee United at the same venue, Hampden Park, on March 16.

The occasion provides Walter Smith with his first final since returning to the Ibrox helm a year ago, and Rangers with the chance to claim their first silverware since a dramatic final day championship triumph in May 2005.

Hearts started positively and there was only a minute on the clock when Andrius Velicka dragged a shot across the face of goal and wide of the upright after collecting a long throw-in from Robbie Neilson.

At the other end, Steve Banks demonstrated exactly why Rangers were keen to add him to their squad earlier this month when he denied Charlie Adam the opener.

A superb ball from the right from Whittaker sailed over the head of Darcheville and fell to the feet of Adam only for Banks to pull a save out of the top drawer to block the well-struck volley.

Four minutes after the restart Ferguson collected a Chris Burke cross from the right flank on the edge of the box, turned and lashed an unstoppable left-footed shot into the bottom corner - although he appeared to control the ball with his hand.

As far as Rangers were concerned, the goal was justice after a handball by Jose Goncalves went unpunished seconds earlier.

And there was no way back for Hearts when Darcheville claimed his eighth goal of the season with 21 minutes to go.

Burke whipped the ball across the face of goal to the back post where Darcheville was waiting to side-foot home from six yards.