Rangers regained the Scottish Youth Cup following a 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Hampden.

The Dons took the lead at the national stadium through Lewis Carrol soon after the hour but quickly saw their advantage reversed. Goals from Findlay Curtis and Josh Gentles earned Rangers a win from behind to lift the trophy for the ninth time.

After a quiet opening 25 minutes with both sides evidently trying to feel their way into proceedings it was Steven Smith’s men who started to gain control. Rangers’ best moments originated on the right when Archie Stevens managed to combine with the forward runs of Zander Hutton and finesse provided by Paul Nsio. The trio's neat triangles were a standout.

All of the first-half’s chances came in the Aberdeen box without any clear-cut moments. Nsio threatened to score from a flowing move but saw his effort deflected and had another individual moment that tested Vitols at his near post. Hutton fired wide from range and Stevens' runs caused issues, even if his direct opponent Brendan Hamilton battled well. Rangers were in control of the game without ever threatening to run away with its outcome and soon, that fact would come to hurt them.

Smith’s young side generally played out of pressure well while taking some risks that Aberdeen threatened to punish. And when the Dons had their spell of ascendency after the break, they capitalised. Mason Munn was called into a save from Aflie Bavidge to concede a corner and minutes later, following a succession of inswingers from the right that Rangers struggled to deal with, Carrol scored after two headers found him free close to goal. It was just rewards for the Dons who had their opponents rocked in the minutes leading up to the strike.

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Carrol would concede a penalty moments later, however. Rangers quickly restored parity when Nsio received neatly between the lines and Stevens’ driving run and cutback hit the arm of the Aberdeen No.4.

Speaking pre-match Smith said the team who “responded better to mistakes” would win out. His judgement was vindicated in the second half and his team were a perfect example. After conceding the game’s opening goal on 64 minutes, Rangers were ahead just over 10 minutes later. Having earned a corner through Curtis stinging the palms of Vitols as Rangers raised their levels, the light blues would lead from the following corner. Josh Gentles was alive at the edge of the box to hit a strike that was deflected into the Aberdeen goal.

There was still time for more action in the closing minutes. Substitute Blaine McClure clipped the post with a header from a wide free-kick before Munn, who’d already made one stunning stop with the game tied at 0-0, pulled off another to keep out Alfie Stewart when sent through one-on-one and ensure the trophy travelled back to Ibrox.