Ferguson opened the scoring in controversial style

Barry Ferguson admitted that he handled the ball in the lead up to opening the scoring against Hearts but thought his side deserved their 2-0 CIS Cup win.

"I didn't mean to handle it and maybe it touched my arm, but it is a goal and I am trying to add that to my game," the Rangers midfielder told BBC Sport.

"Two years is too long for a club like Rangers not to win a trophy.

"It's a long while since we've been in a cup final, but we've managed to get there and I thought we deserved it."

Interview: Rangers captain Barry Ferguson

Interview: Rangers manager Walter Smith

Ferguson was hopeful that the �9m paid by Tottenham Hotspur for right-back Alan Hutton earlier in the day would help manager Walter Smith strengthen his team.

"The manager has done well since he came here and hopefully he can bring in some fresh faces," said the Scotland midfielder.

I felt that, overall, we handled that very well and, in the end, deserved our win Rangers manager Walter Smith

But Smith is destined to disappoint his club captain.

Asked if he was likely to make further signings before the closure of the transfer window on Thursday, the manager said: "It does not look like it."

Smith had earlier secured the signing of Ipswich Town goalkeeper Neil Alexander and the versatile Christian Dailly from West Ham United.

They had been signed too late to feature at Hampden, where Smith was delighted with his side.

"I thought we played well on a very difficult pitch for both teams," he said.

"Hearts had picked up in recent weeks and I thought we might have got them at the wrong time.

"But I felt that, overall, we handled that very well and, in the end, deserved our win.

"Our middle players must be congratulated for playing the level of football they did."

However, Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam has been ruled out of the final after picking up another yellow card during the game against Hearts.