Andy Halliday firmly refuted any notion of Hearts intentionally lying down to Rangers amidst their latest defeat at Hampden Park. The Jambos’ ongoing struggle against the Light Blues continued as Philippe Clement’s side secured a 2-0 victory, maintaining Hearts’ record of never triumphing over Rangers at the national stadium. Despite speculation that an upset could be brewing given Rangers’ recent league form, Hearts failed to capitalize on their momentum, eventually conceding to Cyriel Dessers’ brace and bowing out of the Cup.

Reflecting on the disappointing performance, Halliday expressed surprise at Hearts’ lackluster start, emphasizing how early goals can disrupt game plans. Dismissing claims of teams deliberately underperforming against rivals, he highlighted the intensity of recent matches between Aberdeen and Celtic as evidence to the contrary.

The former Ranger pointed out Hearts’ missed opportunities and failure to unsettle Rangers throughout the game. He noted how the Hearts fans would have been dismayed by their team’s inability to challenge Rangers effectively, particularly in the first half where Rangers appeared vulnerable. Halliday highlighted the ease with which certain Ranger players found space and dictated play, attributing Hearts’ struggles to their inability to exploit these weaknesses.

Despite making tactical adjustments at halftime, Hearts continued to struggle against Rangers’ midfield dominance. Halliday singled out Todd Cantwell’s ability to exploit space and create chances as a key factor in Rangers’ victory, noting the missed opportunities for Hearts to capitalize on moments of vulnerability in Rangers’ defense. Ultimately, the failure to capitalize on Rangers’ vulnerabilities early in the game proved costly for Hearts, who missed a chance to unsettle the favored opponents.