Proud but bitterly disappointed was how Stuart McCall summed up his first semi-final defeat as Motherwell manager after they went down 2-1 to Rangers.

"All I asked of them was to give a good account of themselves. To come off the back pitch as good as they can be and have no regrets," he told BBC Scotland.

"From the keeper to everyone up front, I think they all were excellent.

"I'm proud of the players - they gave a great performance. We probably deserved a little bit more than that."

Underdogs Motherwell gave the Co-operative Insurance Cup holders a fright after Keith Lasley cancelled out Maurice Edu's opener.

It was a full-strength Rangers team, not like in England where people put weakened sides out Motherwell manager Stuart McCall

But Steven Naismith headed the winner for Rangers, set up by Nikica Jelavic, and McCall said: "I'm bitterly disappointed not to take it to extra-time, but we couldn't have asked for any more, other than a victory.

"Edu is a top player and he produced a smashing strike. But, even at half-time, I thought we were in the game and it was important to get the next goal.

"But Jelavic showed his class with the winning goal.

"Maybe we could have struck the ball better nearer goal, but I'm just disappointed to lose a semi-final."

Motherwell came close to causing a cup surprise at Hampden

McCall, who hopes to make another new signing before the transfer window closes on Monday evening, now hopes to take his side's good form into their Scottish Premier League campaign.

"We take all the positives from it," said the former Rangers midfielder.

"We have a tough game against Kilmarnock on Wednesday night and we have to play like this week in, week out.

"It was a full-strength Rangers team, not like in England where people put weakened sides out, and we matched them - there's no doubt about it."

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