Smith delighted with cup victory

Smith said his side had a tremendous will to win

Rangers manager Walter Smith praised his side after they came from behind twice to beat Dundee United and win the CIS Insurance Cup final at Hampden.

Substitute Kris Boyd was the hero with two goals and the winning penalty in the shoot-out.

"It's never a satisfactory way to finish a game but it's the only way we can do it," Smith told BBC Sport.

"Dundee United were better in the first half, we improved afterwards. I can't speak about my team highly enough."

Interview: Rangers manager Walter Smith

Interview: Rangers striker Kris Boyd

Smith said his squad had "a tremendous desire" to win games and they showed that at Hampden.

The Rangers manager said of his penalty shoot-out hero: "When it comes to the last penalty, there is no-one better to take it than Boyd."

An entertaining match finished 2-2 after extra time, with Boyd twice hauling his side back into the game after goals from Noel Hunt and Mark de Vries.

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor saved two spot-kicks in the shoot-out but was quick to heap praise on match-winner Boyd.

"It's an unbelievable achievement - all the boys have dug in so much it's untrue and our team spirit has been unbelievable - and that's what's come through in the end," said the delighted keeper.

"All through the game, I thought, 'it's not going to happen,' so to win on penalties was brilliant.

"I was feeling all right during the shoot-out and felt I could save a couple and luckily I did.

"Boydy hasn't been a regular player but he came in and I honestly think he won it for us - he's been brilliant and he's a good friend so I'm just really pleased for him personally."