ONE MAN has more reason than most to hope for a Hearts victory today. Two years ago, goalkeeper Gilles Rousset suffered the worst day of his footballing career in a Hampden final, also against Rangers.
On that occasion, the Gers romped home 5-1 with Rousset guilty of a schoolboy error which gifted the second goal to Brian Laudrup. ''I was crying in the dressing room after the game when John Robertson came up to me and told me I shouldn't worry, he said. "Everyone at the club was so good to me. Their encouragement helped me through that summer and restored my confidence at a difficult time. We suffered that day from the lack of depth in the squad but the manager has brought in some very good players since then.
''I feel we are much stronger this time and it is a tremendous achievement to qualify for another Cup final. We know Rangers will be favourites to win again but hopefully this time we will come out on top.''
Rousset will be joined in the Hearts side by fellow Frenchman Stephane Adam, who celebrated signing for the Edinburgh club by watching his new teammates beat Rangers on the final day of last season. And the striker, a free transfer recruit from Metz, would settle for the same result this time.
Adam has been a revelation in his first season at Tynecastle, scoring twice in the semi-final to bring down First Division battlers Falkirk at Ibrox, and loves the family atmosphere at the club. ''Everyone has been very friendly towards me, '' he said. I have had no trouble settling in as the team spirit is brilliant. We've had a good season and Cup finals are always special days. I have appeared in two finals in France and they are occasions to savour and enjoy.''
Also hoping to enjoy the day is 22-year-old striker James Hamilton, who is sweating on his place in the line-up after missing the last three league games through suspension. His 15 goals this season seem certain to earn him a spot in the team, but he admitted: The other lads have been winding me up about missing the final, but I'm hopeful I've done enough to merit a place in the starting 11 again. This has been my first full season in the Premier Division and with 15 goals, which is my best tally, I feel career-wise I'm ahead of schedule.

RANGERS SQUAD 44th Scottish Cup final 27 times winners GOALKEEPERS Andy Goram, age 34 Scotland keeper faces a fitness test before making what would be his final Gers appearance. Antti Niemi, 25 Goram's Finnish back-up. May consider his options if Borussia Dortmund's Stefan Klos arrives at Ibrox. DEFENDERS Lorenzo Amoruso, 26 £3.9m signing from Fiorentina, has missed bulk of season with Achilles problems. Joachim Bjorklund, 27 Off-form Swede uses blistering pace to cover his own errors. Alex Cleland, 27 Suspended. Leaving in close-season. Richard Gough, 36 Despite age, remains assured and intelligent and will be missed on return to USA. Gordan Petric, 28 Determined Yugoslav, now plays infrequently. Staale Stensaas, 26 Seems unable to adopt to rigours of Scottish football after arrival from Rosenborg of Norway. Sergio Porrini, 29 Key figure, but struggling with a hamstring problem. MIDFIELDERS Ian Durrant, 31 In testimonial year, but expected to leave for United States or Japan in near future. Rino Gattuso, 20 Rangers' brightest prospect, recruited from Serie A outfit Perugia. Stuart McCall, 33 Tireless and tigerish, but probably leave Ibrox this summer in the fall-out of Walter Smith's departure. Jonas Thern, 28 Has improved after a poor start, contributing vital goals since the turn of the year. Ian Ferguson, 31 Long-serving player, surprisingly recalled for final league game at Dundee United. Jorg Albertz, 27 Gers' most consistent performer is suspended from final after a red card against Dundee United. FORWARDS Brian Laudrup, 29 Last of four Ibrox seasons has been disappointing. Keen to relaunch himself at Chelsea. Gordon Durie, 32 World Cup starter's hard running will be crucial today. Ally McCoist, 35 Popular frontman currently enjoying purple patch at the end of an uneven season. Marco Negri, 27 Made stunning start but faded from favour after recovering slowly from an eye injury.

HEARTS SQUAD 11th Scottish Cup final 5 times winners GOALKEEPERS Gilles Rousset, age 34 Consistent Frenchman determined to put horrors of 5-1 final defeat to Rangers in 1996 behind him. Roddy McKenzie, 22 Has made only a handful of appearances this season. A capable shot-stopper but weak on crosses. DEFENDERS Gary Locke, 22 Captain. Recently signed new three-year deal, but is struggling with nagging knee problem. Dave McPherson, 34 Former Ranger offers experienced back-up. Strong in the tackle and sometimes effective upfield. Grant Murray, 22 Has emerged quickly this season and has genuine quality. Sent off in the 2-2 league draw at Ibrox. Gary Naysmith, 19 A future international with real pace, but was given a torrid time in the semi by veteran Falkirk winger Kevin McAllister. Neil Pointon, 33 The former captain has barely featured since announcing he will move on in close-season. Paul Ritchie, 22 Crowned his rise to prominence this term with a Scotland B call-up. David Weir, 28 Composed, stylish Scotland centre half with precise distribution. MIDFIELDERS Colin Cameron, 25 A genuine danger but struggling with a pelvic injury. Thomas Flogel, 26 Austrian has had an up-and-down season but has pledged to stay at Tynecastle. Steve Fulton, 27 Hearts' creative inspiration, finally fulfilling the early potential he showed at Celtic. Neil McCann, 23 Fast and tricky, scored typically stylish goal in the semi-final victory over Falkirk. Jose Quitongo, 23 A cult figure at Tynecastle, the dreadlocked Angolan winger will start on bench. Stefano Salvatori, 30 Well-suited to the physical Scottish game, his impressive list of former clubs includes Ac Milan and Atalanta. FORWARDS Stephane Adam, 29 He chose Hearts over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian and has been a revelation since his arrival from Metz. Jim Hamilton, 22 Kept out of league run-in by suspension, should return after impressive season. John Robertson, 33 Remains sharp but definitely in final chapter of record-breaking Hearts career.

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