rich vein of form, second-placed Hibs suffered a run of three defeats within a week to see them trail Rangers at the top of the table by fourteen points as the season entered March. The league crown was secured for Rangers on 5 April at Ibrox and formed the first part of a brace of trophies within a week. The team qualified for its second Challenge Cup Final in the space of three years with the match being played at Hampden Park for the first time in the competition's history. The match was played in front of a near sell-out as Rangers ran out 4–0 winners over Scottish League One side Peterhead on 10 April. Similarly, in the Scottish Cup, the club reached its second semi-final in three seasons, setting up the first Old Firm derby in over a year. A highly anticipated match ended with both sides tied after full and extra time with Rangers winning the penalty shoot-out to progress to the final. The semi-final heroics were ultimately for nothing as Rangers lost the 2016 Scottish Cup Final to Hibernian with the Edinburgh club scoring an injury-time winner. However, their victory was marred by a pitch invasion by Hibs fans at the final whistle. The SFA has said it is "appalled" by scenes of disorder and set up a commission to review operational failings apparent from the day. Police Scotland also investigated the events, which included assaults on Rangers players and staff. On 18 December 2016, Rangers announced a coaching and development partnership with Scottish Lowland League club Gala Fairydean Rovers which effectivelty saw the Galashiels side act as a feeder to Rangers. 2016–17 season The club's pre-season plans were confirmed in May with the first team's squad travelling to the United States for a training camp which incorporated a friendly match against United Soccer League side Charleston Battery. The fallout from the 2016 Scottish Cup Final fan violence continued with the SFA announcing a former Sheriff principal would chair the independent commission into the disorder. The commission reported on 5 August and concluded the pitch invasion was sparked by the high excitement of Hibernian fans, yet neither club could be blamed. The report highlighted security plans were appropriate and that the Scottish Government should consider criminalising pitch invasions. However, Rangers raised concerns about several factual inaccuracies and contradictions in the report and asked to discuss this with