Rangers win sets up Old Firm clash

Holders Rangers set up a Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with Glasgow rivals Celtic after a 2-0 win yesterday at Kilmarnock …

Holders Rangers set up a Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with Glasgow rivals Celtic after a 2-0 win yesterday at Kilmarnock in the fourth round.Rangers, who were knocked out of the League Cup on Thursday, must overcome the unbeaten Premier League leaders for a chance to salvage some silverware from a depressing season.

Celtic moved into the last eight with a 3-0 win at Hearts on Saturday.

Ronald de Boer slammed Rangers ahead on 62 minutes yesterday before Shota Arveladze netted the second from the penalty spot five minutes later after being floored by home defender Gordon Greer.

Both sides had chances in an even first period with Martin Hardie thrashing a volley off the bar while de Boer was unfortunate to see a header rebound off a post.

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Manager Alex McLeish hailed his side's response following their 4-3 penalty shootout defeat by Hibernian in the League Cup semi-final.

"It's been a difficult week and the character side of things had to come to the fore today," McLeish said.

"If they couldn't show it today then they would never show it. Thankfully, we got the victory."

Celtic were convincing winners at Hearts with Stilian Petrov scoring twice before Henrik Larsson sealed the victory.

Manager Martin O'Neill was furious, however, with Hearts for trying to incite his players into retaliation in the tie.

Hearts had Paul Hartley and former Republic of Ireland international Alan Maybury sent off for fouls on Neil Lennon.

When O'Neill was asked whether Hearts used provocation tactics, he replied: "It seemed so, and the referee felt inclined to show the players two yellow cards and I thought they were worthy of the bookings.

"Neil gets stick all over the place and I can understand it at Ibrox but I'm not sure I understand it at other grounds."