JON DALY admits shot-shy Rangers got what they deserved as they crashed to derby defeat against Celtic at Hampden.

Kenny McDowall's side were outclassed by their Old Firm rivals and were left with nothing to show for their efforts as they missed out on a place in the League Cup final.

First-half goals from Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons clinched a comfortable 2-0 win for the Hoops as they dominated for long spells of the game.

After an abysmal first 45 minutes, Rangers improved slightly after the break, with the introduction of Daly alongside Kenny Miller giving them more attacking impetus.

The Light Blues never really looked like scoring, though, with keeper Craig Gordon a virtual spectator in the Celtic goal.

And Daly knows Rangers can have no complaints about suffering Old Firm heartache as they failed to land a glove on their Glasgow rivals.

He told SportTimes: "In the second half I thought we got into some good areas of the park and the final ball let us down.

"If our delivery had been better and our final ball had been better, we would have given ourselves a better chance. It didn't happen for us.

"It was a really disappointing day for the players and the staff and the fans as well. They turned out in great numbers and we would have loved to have got the victory for them and got to the final.

"If you don't create chances and test their goalkeeper then you can't have any complaints when you don't win the game.

"We did get into some good areas in the second half, but that final ball or final delivery just wasn't there. We were looking to make the most of set-plays but, again, the delivery wasn't there."

Rangers' hopes of causing a cup shock were dented early on as Griffiths headed home after just ten minutes, with Commons' strike leaving them a huge hill to climb at the National Stadium.

McDowall's side struggled all over the park and could have found themselves well out of sight before their half-time regroup.

And Daly admits the Gers must improve as attentions turn to a Scottish Cup clash with Raith Rovers this weekend.

He said: "We are all massively disappointed. We set up to try and stifle them and limit them to as few chances as possible.

"To find ourselves a goal down ten minutes into the game was disappointing and far from an ideal start for us.

"After that, we have not tested Craig at all. If you are going to win games then you need to be testing their goalkeeper. We didn't do that unfortunately.

"It was a disappointing day all round for us, but we will look at it and look to go again on Sunday against Raith."