Philippe Clement praised skipper James Tavernier’s leadership qualities after his double helped Rangers beat Hearts 3-1 in their Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
The Gers right-back opened the scoring with a penalty five minutes after the interval before half-time substitute Scott Wright doubled the lead five minutes later with a drive.
Tavernier’s superb 20-yard free-kick in the 64th minute clinched a place in the final on December 17 against Aberdeen, with Hearts skipper Lawrence Shankland’s late penalty mere consolation.
Belgian Clement said reaching his first final as Rangers boss was “a collective satisfaction, well deserved” before he turned his attention to his free-scoring right-back, who has netted 10 times already this season.
He said: “Not only goal-scoring, in the first place he is a defender, that is his first job.
“I like a collective way of attacking with a lot of people, he is important that way. He is a leader by example also in the dressing room.
“It is difficult for me today to pick out one player, but the very positive thing for me is that this dressing room has several leaders and we have several leaders who stepped up from the first day, doing the good things and who are really focused and help the young lads.
“It is an important thing as a manager to have several players in your dressing room that are like your right hand. So Tav is one of those.”
Rangers have little time to bask in their achievement as they have to quickly prepare for their Europa league clash with Sparta Prague at Ibrox on Thursday night.
Clement said: “The players can enjoy tonight and time with their family, but from tomorrow I expect everybody to be focused again towards Prague.
“We have a really big game. We miss a couple of players and miss a couple of players that I cannot select on Thursday, because they are not on the European list that I didn’t make.
“It is going to be a really hard game against Prague and we need to continue what we are doing with the ball and without the ball and I am becoming more satisfied with that.”
Hearts boss Steven Naismith conceded his side gave themselves a “mammoth task” when they lost three goals soon after the break but was puzzled by his side’s penalty award.
There was confusion and drama when referee Nick Walsh showed already-booked Stephen Kingsley a second yellow and then a red card for diving inside the Rangers box.
However, VAR intervened and, after checking his pitchside monitor, Walsh deemed Gers substitute Ben Davies had tripped Kingsley so rescinded the second yellow and awarded the Jambos a spot-kick, which was slotted in by Shankland.
Naismith said: “To think that he would try and dive when the ball is miles away, going out the park. He is never going to get a penalty for a dive.
“It is strange that the first thought is a red card for us when it is a clear kick. There have been a few penalties in recent weeks with that stamp on the foot – Aberdeen in Europe is one.
“Why was it not just a penalty and then we can review it? It was a red card and then we will review it. It is strange for me.”
Hayes enjoying tense WSL title race as Chelsea stint winds down
Emma Hayes is determined to enjoy the thrill of a title race going to the wire in her final days as Chelsea boss.
Following their defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League, Chelsea's hopes of winning a trophy to mark Hayes' final season in charge looked slim heading into the run-in of the WSL season.
Yet Manchester City's defeat to Arsenal, combined with an 8-0 victory for Chelsea over Bristol City last time out, has left the Blues in with a great chance.
With the goal difference having swung in Chelsea's favour, victory over Tottenham on Wednesday would see Hayes' team go into the final day of the WSL season in top spot.
And while the pressure is on, Hayes is eager to have fun as she soaks in her final matches of a 12-year tenure.
"I'm going to enjoy being in this position," Hayes said.
"You don't often get into a position where you are competing for a title going into the last two games of a season. For those of us who have won titles, we know how hard it is.
"I’m happy to be in the position we're in. I know we have two tough games but I'm looking forward to them.
"You can't win everything all of the time. But to be in a position to compete for our fifth title in five years, I'd like to see another team do that over the next five years. The reason I say that is nobody really understands how hard that is to keep winning.
"To be in a position to compete for that, that’s all I wanted the team to be in. I just want them to enjoy the next two games."
Tottenham have lost all eight of their WSL games against Chelsea by an aggregate score of 20-5, with the Blues the only team Spurs have never won at least a point against in the competition.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have lost three games in the WSL this season, their most since also recording three defeats during the 2016 campaign.
After facing Spurs, Chelsea round off their season with a trip to FA Cup winners Manchester United, while City take on Aston Villa in their final game.
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation
Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.
United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.
While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.
The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.
And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.
"They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.
"The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.
"I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."
Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.
Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.
Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.
"In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.
"Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."
Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.
Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.
"Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.
"I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."
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