NEILSON: WE LOST QUALITY BATTLE

Tynecastle boss admits strength in depth of rivals was key factor

ROBBIE NEILSON admitted Hearts could not cope with Rangers’ strength in depth as his side fell to defeat at Hampden.

Facing a potentially weakened and tired team in yesterday’s Scottish Cup final, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Europa League runners-up found yet more reserves of strength to hit top gear and seal the victory after extra-time.

Rangers suffered physically and mentally in the heat of Seville as they lost out to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties on Wednesday, but their changes worked wonders at the national stadium.

Subs Ryan Jack and Scott Wright entered the action and lifted the Ibrox side to win their first Scottish Cup since 2009.

Hearts barely offered anything in attack after half-time and were eventually floored to bring their own excellent campaign to an end.

In their first season back in the Premiership since promotion from the Championship, the Tynecastle club sealed third spot and guaranteed European groupstage football next term.

Hopes were high that they could conclude their efforts with the Scottish Cup in the cabinet, but the men in maroon fell flat. Asked why he believed Rangers were the team that became stronger given their exertions in Spain, Neilson said: ‘I would probably put it down to the quality of the player that is coming on to the pitch for them. A lot has been made of Wednesday night’s exploits but when you look at the team they put out, four, maybe five of them actually played in it.

‘The new ones have that freshness, so we knew today’s game was going to be very difficult. Two of the players who came on scored the goals and that is where we need to get to. ‘I learned we are a team who can come here and compete and put ourselves in a position to win the game. We started the game probably the better team. ‘Rangers built into it but never really caused us a whole lot of problems. Other than (Calvin) Bassey getting down the wing and putting in crosses and some stuff down the right as well, in the grand scheme of things we probably had enough chances to win the game. But it wasn’t to be.’

The disappointment at Hampden may take some time to heal, but Neilson stressed it was important for the club to remember how successful they have been this season.

‘I’m disappointed. You are coming to a cup final and you want to win it,’ he said. ‘No matter how the game is, not winning it is a huge disappointment.

‘We take that on the chin, move forward and try to reflect on the fact it has actually been a very good season for us.

‘We finished third, we secured group-stage football and got to a cup final. We just could not take that final wee step.’

After a promising start, attacks became a rare occurrence for the Edinburgh club as Rangers grew stronger.

They could have taken an early lead when on-loan Everton striker Ellis Simms met Liam Boyce’s cross but his effort clipped the outside of the post. On reflection, going with his left foot instead of this right looked the better option to try to convert.

Neilson admitted it was a big opportunity but was pleased with the frontman, who has scored seven goals since his arrival during the January transfer window.

‘It was a good chance and on another day it goes in but the big man has been outstanding for us,’ added the Tynecastle boss.

There was a disappointing farewell for John Souttar, with the defender now ready to join Rangers having signed a pre-contract with the Ibrox club. Neilson knows he will have a busy summer but hopes he can build on the core of his team to push on next season and aim to hit higher heights.

Asked about keeping hold of players, he continued: ‘We have managed to do that. The only one is Peter Haring, who is out of contract, but we have offered him a new deal and he is making a decision on that. The rest of the squad are here and it is just a case of adding to that now.

‘We have a number of targets we are trying to get. Hopefully we will get them. The loan players we will try for but it will probably be August before we get an answer on that.’

Hearts were roared on by their supporters in the 50,319 crowd at Hampden but the afternoon ended in poor fashion.

Neilson has been encouraged by their backing this term and hopes they will be treated to exciting moments next season.

The manager has now urged his players to take advantage of their European opportunity and try to move closer to the Old Firm, having finished 28 points behind secondplaced Rangers in the league.

Addressing the support, Neilson said: ‘Thanks for coming through. Thanks for the support. We have had hard times over the last couple of years but I think they can see we are getting there.

‘We are back where we want to be but we need to rebuild again and come back again, try and get closer to the Old Firm. Get into the Europa League and we are at the start of it now.’