Robbo's medal joy dedicated to dad

HEARTS legend John Robertson picked up a Cup winner's medal then said: "This one is for you dad!"

And the striker - the Jambos' all-time leading goalscorer - revealed that it didn't matter that he spent the entire final on the bench.

He said: "I've waited 18 years for this moment.

"The manager said he was sorry he didn't put me on but I'm perfectly happy.

"This was not about John Robertson.

It was about Hearts, the club and the fans.

"It's a very special moment in my football career.

"This is for my dad.

He died when I was 14, every goal I've scored, every record I've broken is for him.

"And I know he was out there at Parkhead, kicking every ball."

Saturday's 2-1 win over Rangers was Robbo's third Scottish Cup final and, after the two previous crushing disappointments, he savoured the moment.

When his turn came to get his medal and lift the trophy the Hearts fans' roar almost lifted the roof off Celtic Park.

And Robbo felt the Tynecastle men thoroughly deserved their moment of triumph.

He said: "It would have been a travesty if Hearts had lost this one.

"Our tactics were superb and we deserve the trophy.

"The lads were all magnificent and Paul Ritchie was superb.

"When you see a performance like that, it's hard to understand why he is not in the Scotland squad for the World Cup."

Robbo did admit to some relief at the final whistle after Rangers' late surge which threatened to take the final to extra time.

He added: "I would have been a lot happier if we'd scored a third, that really would have killed Rangers off.

"But they came right back into it towards the end and you can only applaud them for that.

Class

"Rangers lost this final but they came out of it with nothing but dignity and I thought their support was exceptional - they even cheered Hearts.

"That's the thing about Rangers, they're class."

Robertson, 33, is out of contract and his career at Tynecastle is uncertain.

And he said: "If it's time to go, it's time to go but if the manager wants to keep me, then that won't be a problem."

Substitute Jim Hamilton did get on to play his part and he revealed: "We did it for the fans - and John Robertson.

"Robbo was a bit emotional at the end and he deserved everything he got today.

"We wanted it so much for him and the fans.

"He's been here 18 years and deserves the medal.

"We played brilliantly.

We defended well and scored two great goals.

We deserved it for this season."

Striker Hamilton ended up playing in defence as the pressure mounted on Hearts.

He said: "We knew when they scored Richard Gough would go forward so I knew I had to defend.

"Luckily, I was in some places where the ball fell and managed to get it away.

"For me, though, Paul Ritchie takes the plaudits for this final."