Queens dream of glory in first final
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The curtain comes down today on an extraordinary season for Scottish football with Queen of the South hoping to become only the second team from outside the top division to lift the Scottish Cup. East Fife did it in 1938, nobody since.
First Division Queens, from Dumfries, reached their first final in any competition by beating Aberdeen 4-3 in a thrilling semi-final to earn a berth at Hampden this afternoon against Rangers, who have lifted the Cup 31 times.
And on a form line through Aberdeen, Gordon Chisholm's men should be nothing like the 5-1 outsiders the bookmakers think they are to take the trophy home. Queens won against the Dons, who in turn beat Rangers 2-0 on Thursday.
More rationally, Queens have had four weeks' rest and a holiday in Spain since last kicking a ball in anger on 26 April. Rangers, in contrast, have played nine matches since then, and endured the agonies of losing the Uefa Cup final and falling at the final hurdle in the SPL title race, won by Celtic.
Rangers, through their natural superiority and resources, remain the favourites, but there could have been no better year for Queens to meet them in a final.
"If you're going to get to a cup final you couldn't wish for better circumstances, playing a team who played less than 48 hours beforehand," conceded Rangers' manager, Walter Smith, yesterday.
Players to watch for fairytale endings include Queens' Steve Tosh and James McQuilken, both Cup final losers on penalties with minnows Gretna two years ago, and Rangers' DaMarcus Beasley, 26 today, who is in line for a recall after a season of injury misery.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments