Ally McCoist reckoned it started badly for Willie Collum and for many others it simply went downhill.
McCoist believed the Scottish Cup final ref was wrong not to send off Peter Haring with less than three minutes on the clock.
Then Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst disputed an injury time decision as Collum’s 90 minutes were bookended by controversial calls.
And there was plenty to debate in-between as the man in the middle came under scrutiny for his display in the season showpiece.
It comes just a week after Collum was criticised for his performance in the second leg of Inverness Caley’s play-off win over Arbroath after sending off two the Highlanders players.
Here, Record Sport looks at some of the key calls from Collum as Rangers got their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2009.
Peter Haring foul on Calvin Bassey
It would have been a huge blow for Hearts to lose a man so early on the fact there were so few minutes on the clock probably worked in his favour.
But the challenge has to be taken in isolation and it didn’t look for the Austrian midfielder who was extremely lucky.
Connor Goldson, Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield were all closest to it and their reaction told you it was a bad one as Haring went over the top and caught the Gers defender on the ankle.
Ally McCoist and Michael Stewart, working for Premier Sports, had contrasting views. McCoist said: “With VAR next season, it’s probably a red card,” but Stewart said: “A yellow card is actually fair.
"He just goes over his foot, he doesn't catch him on the ankle or leg but you're certainly running a serious risk of a red.”
Verdict: Wrong decision, red card for Haring
James Tavernier on Alex Cochrane
The Rangers captain struggled in the early part of the game and looked off the pace after his midweek Europa League exertions.
And Tavernier had a couple of niggling fouls which Willie Collum allowed to go unpunished yet he didn’t heed the ref warning.
When he caught Alex Cochrane late it looked a certain booking - for the challenge alone but also persisting fouling - but the card remained in his pocket.
Verdict: Wrong decision, yellow card for Tavernier
Amad Diallo on Barrie McKay
On-loan Manchester United man Diallo had already been shown a yellow card after a lunge on Hearts striker Liam Boyce.
And just a minute later the winger went in late on Barrie McKay which prompted Giovanni van Bronckhorst to act and give him the hook with replacement Scott Wright getting on the scoresheets.
But should Willie Collum have done his job for him and sent him off?
Verdict: Some referees would have shown a second yellow but in Diallo’s defence he seemed to slip and the whistler probably got it right
John Souttar alleged handball
The Ibrox-bound stopper was sensational against his new employers and showed exactly why Rangers were so keen to get him.
There might have been a few Jambos supporters who questioned the decision to play him but nobody could argue with his display.
Ryan Kent appealed for handball from his cross and the ball appeared to his arm but it was in a natural position and was also just outside the box.
Verdict: Correct call, no foul
Andy Halliday foul on Calvin Bassey
This was a shocker from the referee. The former Rangers midfielder came on as a substitute against his old club and clearly wiped out the full back near the corner flag.
Collum was just yards away from the incident but somehow decided to wave play on and the Rangers fans and dug-out were rightly furious.
In fact, that sense of injustice appeared to really fire up the Light Blues and could have contributed to them really upping their game at that point.
Verdict: Wrong decision, foul for Rangers
Nathaniel Atkinson shirt pull on Joe Aribo
This was another that was as clear as day. Craig Gordon was rightly praised for his outstanding save to deny Joe Aribo and force extra time.
But Hearts’ Aussie clearly had a handful of the Nigeria International’s shirt as he made his way into the box.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst later said: “I saw him (Atkinson) pulling the shirt and that's the reason why he (Aribo) couldn’t shoot cleanly on goal.”
Verdict: Wrong decision, penalty to Rangers
