Weir & Edu Recall Rengers’ Last League Triumph

Viaplay Cup: Rangers’ 2011 triumph remembered by David Weir & Maurice Edu

David Weir captained Rangers against a Celtic side skippered by Scott BrownViaplay Cup final: Rangers v AberdeenVenue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Sunday, 17 December Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Commentary on BBC Scotland & BBC Sounds and follow live on the BBC Sport website & app

As Rangers cavorted on the Hampden pitch clutching the League Cup in 2011, few could have predicted it would be the last time the club got their hands on the trophy for almost 13 years and counting.

The current Ibrox crop have the chance to end that long barren run this weekend when they face Aberdeen in the final at Hampden.

Here, BBC Scotland speaks to two members of the 2011 cup-winning Rangers side as they relive an Old Firm victory laden with significance.

It was then Celtic manager Neil Lennon’s first final in his initial stint in charge and late managerial great Walter Smith’s last as Rangers boss, with the Ibrox side prevailing 2-1 after extra time.

Rangers on a revenge mission

The final was the sixth of seven Old Firm derbies that season and came just two weeks after a “shame game” Scottish Cup replay that Rangers lost 1-0 at Celtic Park and had three men sent off in. Of the four derbies since the turn of the year, Rangers had lost three and drawn one.

Rangers captain David Weir: “We had lost at Celtic in the league and cup and got a lot of criticism. So it was important we didn’t lose to them in the final because they would have been in the ascendancy and had the momentum for the league. You’re only ever two or three games away from a crisis at Rangers. If you lose a couple of games, it’s the end of the world.

Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu: “That season was crazy because there were so many Old Firm games. After the Scottish Cup defeat, revenge was on my mind. You are up for the game because it means so much. So much is said about it among the players, we read about it in the press, you walk around the city centre and fans are approaching you to make sure you know how important these games are. You just try to stay on an even keel because in that game the emotions are heightened, you feel the energy of the crowd, every tackle has that much more impact and meaning.”

‘Weird game’ and dreading penalties

Rangers opened the scoring midway in the first half through Steven Davis. Joe Ledley headed Celtic level soon after and the sides remain deadlocked in 90 minutes before Nikica Jelavic settled it in extra time, poking in via the post.

Edu: “That was a weird game. I ended up playing right-back in the latter stages because there was an injury. Going into extra time, when you have players like Jelavic – who was in incredible form that season – you always have a chance to score goals and get the upper hand. We had a quality team from back to front.

“We hung out together away from the pitch as well and that helped us be successful. When you sweat and bleed together, and go through the emotional rollercoaster in a game like that, you have to celebrate. And we were a team who knew how to do that. We definitely enjoyed that moment and made the most of the celebrations.

Weir: “In terms of extra time, we were just thinking, ‘we need to win’. Personally, I didn’t want it to go to penalties. I’m not a penalty taker and don’t enjoy being involved in them. I wanted to avoid that. We had guys in that team like Jelavic, Davis, Steven Naismith, who you want with you in that situation. We were a good group and would back ourselves to get a result when the pressure was on.”

Rangers’ final win completed the first of a trophy double in 2010-11

The Smith factor

Smith had announced at the start of the campaign it was to be his last in charge and he crowned it with a double as his side pipped Celtic to the league title by a point. With financial implosion looming, it remained Rangers’ last major trophy for a decade as Celtic began a period of dominance.

Weir: “We were mindful of the fact it was Walter’s last season and the respect we all had for him and everything he’d done for the club. Walter’s situation gave us even more motivation. He managed the team well and shielded the players from the off-field financial side of things and concentrated on what we had to do.”

Edu: “Walter was the manager who signed me, so I had an incredible amount of respect for him. His presence was felt whenever he walked into a room. All of us felt a sense of ‘we need to make sure his last season is special’. That cup final was in March so it was a vital time in the league as well. From then we went on a really good stretch of games to take the title and it all started by winning the cup, giving us that added boost and confidence. It was a perfect end to the season and allowed us to send Walter off in the right way.”