Dundee united captain John Rankin has revealed how he was praying Nadir Ciftci would remember to roll the ball into the net.
Rankin got a great view as Ciftci collected a gift from hapless Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.
A long clearance from Andy Robertson had been booted back to the former Dundee man by home defender Ricky Foster and the ball spun off Simonsen’s foot towards the lurking Ciftci.
The talented Turk took the ball around the goalie, had a little stumble before regaining his footing and then played it forward towards the net.
Before firing it over the line, however, a smiling Ciftci raised both hands in the air in an act of sheer jubilation.
Rankin, meanwhile, was busy urging his team-mate to just get on with it.
“I thought Nadir was celebrating before he actually scored,” said the midfielder, one of the club’s better players on the day.
“It was one of those where you were thinking: ‘Just go and put the ball in the back of the net then we can all celebrate!
“It was a relief to get that third goal because at 2-1 up you are always vulnerable. I was looking at the clock and thinking we needed another goal.
“We said at half-time that the next goal was crucial and when Nadir got it eventually it was quite comfortable from there on in.
“I am delighted for him and it’s brilliant to reach the final. Now we are really looking forward to May 17 it will be a great day for the club.”
Ciftci’s strike added to first-half goals from Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven, with Steve Smith getting one back for Rangers.
Winning on their opponents’ home pitch to get to Scottish football’s showpiece occasion against St Johnstone, who beat Aberdeen yesterday, meant everything to Rankin.
“I don’t think words can properly explain how it feels,” he said.