AT THE risk of tempting providence with an irresistible opportunity for mischief-making, the Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final between Hearts and Hibs carries the firm promise of an exhilarating experience.

It is, after all, a match between protagonists whose inconsistencies this season hint strongly at a preference for the kind of adrenaline-pumping occasion they will encounter at Hampden Park tomorrow lunchtime.

With the exception of Hearts' feebleness in the 1-0 defeat at Ibrox in December and Hibs' landslide victory over Livingston (7-0) in February, the Edinburgh sides' most captivating performances, generally speaking, have been in games against each other or the Old Firm. Apart from the aforesaid intervention by a wicked fate, there seems no reason why they will not produce another engrossing contest at the national stadium in the quest for a place in the cup final on 13 May.

The back-of-the-shop eccentricities that have been a feature of the Tynecastle club's endlessly newsworthy season have, predictably, virtually monopolised the headlines. Perhaps as a consequence of this genius for controversy, their rivals' difficulties, different in nature but arguably no less of a hindrance, have tended to be underplayed.

Tony Mowbray, the Hibs manager, has spent a large part of this mercurial campaign juggling personnel in an enforced attempt to compensate for the loss, for lengthy periods, of a substantial number of influential players. Scott Brown, Guillaume Beuzelin and Dean Shiels, for example, have been missing for months from what had been a formidable midfield, while the full-backs, Steven Whittaker and David Murphy, along with others, have passed some time in the sickbay.

Brown may be available as a substitute tomorrow, having just completed his first week's training after a two-month absence. Beuzelin and Shiels, the latter just back after an operation to remove an eye, remain out of use.

In addition, Derek Riordan, a striker capable of inflicting damage on the stoutest of defences, is suspended for the semi-final and Garry O'Connor has moved to Lokomotiv Moscow. This leaves Chris Killen, a doubt all week after twisting an ankle against Inverness, Steven Fletcher and Ivan Sproule as Mowbray's only credible options in attack.

It is not exactly the state of readiness any manager would idealise, but Mowbray dismisses the set-backs almost perfunctorily, possibly out of his pathological fear of being perceived as an excuse maker. He seems, indeed, to go to the other extreme, exuding belief in the players at his disposal and a quiet confidence that they may even be able to pit an end to the notorious 104-year gap between Hibs' last Scottish Cup triumph and the present day.

"This is a group I enjoy working with tremendously," he said. "It would be nice for them to get an accolade, to be indelibly etched into the history of the club, by winning the cup. It's a question of helping them get to that level by improving themselves.

"I'm aware of this club's past and I wouldn't suggest they are as good as the Famous Five team or the sides Eddie Turnbull built in the 1970s. I realise the standard of player Hibs had at those times. But who's to say in 20 years' time the names of these present boys won't roll off the tongues of Hibs fans?

"What we have to do, though, is exorcise the terrible disappointment of losing to Dundee United in last year's semi-final. Unless you've been there and experienced that kind of thing, you can't imagine what a bad feeling that was."

The pain was deepened that day by the fact that Hibs had led through Riordan's second-half goal, only to be overtaken by counters from Jim McIntyre and Jason Scotland. Hearts are unquestionably stronger now than United were then, but Mowbray reduces all the fluctuating possibilities of a match down to one simple truth.

"We know the way Hearts play and we don't expect they will change much," he said. "But, most of the time, football matches are won by quality players. Both sides have a few of them and that is what should be decisive again.

"I can't affect the 104 years since Hibs last won the cup. But we're back in the semi-finals again and you'll only keep knocking on the door if you have players with the quality to do so. I'm sure the moment the fourth round draw sent us to Ibrox to meet Rangers, a few Hibs fans would be feeling a bit pessimistic, but we showed then that we have the players capable of doing the job."

Mowbray's respect for Hearts is reciprocated by the Tynecastle head coach, Valdas Ivanauskas, who confirmed yesterday that, with the exception of the injured Neil McCann, all of his first-team squad members are fit.

Having played each other three times this season already, Ivanauskas concedes that there is little either manager can do, tactically or selectively, to surprise the other.

"We know their players and they know ours," said Ivanauskas. "If there is a possibility of surprising each other, it would be in a very small way. Even if Hibs are now without O'Connor and Riordan, the two who were their recognised strike force, all of the others are potentially problematic.

"They have good quality in their team, and I have great respect for Tony Mowbray and his players. It's a semi-final, it's a derby and the teams are very well matched. I don't see how it's possible to make one favourite over the other."

In fact, Ivanauskas could produce something of a surprise by presenting Mowbray with a problem he was unable to solve as recently as 28 January. That was the day the recently-sacked Hearts manager, Graham Rix, played a five-man midfield against Hibs and won 4-1.

It took the Easter Road side until the second half, when they were 4-0 behind, to make the adjustment necessary to halt the barrage. But with the influential Julien Brellier and Roman Bednar both suspended this may be no simple matter for the coach.

Brellier has been especially effective in his defensive role just in front of the back four, while Bednar has frequently delivered important goals on the bigger occasions. If there is another slight concern for Ivanauskas, it is the uncharacteristically erratic form of Rudi Skacel. The Czech midfielder, criticised over his performance against Falkirk last weekend, has scored 16 league goals for Hearts this season, but the last of them was in that victory over Hibs nine weeks ago.

The outcome on this occasion will depend to a great extent on which of the teams reproduce their optimum work.

Given their respective strengths - Hibs' inventiveness and pace in forward areas, Hearts' resoluteness in defence and and physical power in midfield - nobody will be paralysed with shock should the semi-final go to a replay.
HIBERNIAN
ROUTE TO THE SEMI-FINAL

Third round: (H) Arbroath 6-0
Fourth round: (A) Rangers 3-0
Quarter-final: (A) Falkirk 5-1
PROBABLE TEAM
Zbigniew Malkowski

The Pole has had a mixed season and it remains to be seen whether Hibs opt for Malkowski in goal or recall Simon Brown.
Steven Whittaker

A footballing right-back whose form makes him a regular in the Scotland Under-21 side. Has played in all three cup games this season.
Gary Caldwell

The defender has signed a pre-contract agreement with Celtic, but will want to leave Easter Road on a high. He knows victory tomorrow would make him odds-on favourite to be the first Hibs captain to lift the Scottish Cup since 1902.
Gary Smith

Sole survivor from the 2001 Scottish Cup final when Hibs lost to Celtic. Also on losing side for Aberdeen against Rangers in the 1993 final.
David Murphy

The former Middlesbrough left-back has been a real find for Tony Mowbray. Recently signed a new contract tying him to Easter Road until 2010.
Michael Stewart

Joined Hibs from Hearts last summer and has the quality to shine at Hampden tomorrow. Has a point to prove to his old employers if he can shake off a recurring foot injury.
Kevin Thomson

Outstanding in central midfield, Thomson recently signed a new deal until 2010 with Hibs. Yet to find the net this season.
Stephen Glass

Left-sided midfielder has played in an FA Cup final for Newcastle and was a League Cup winner with Aberdeen.
Chris Killen

Signed from Oldham in January, the New Zealander has already scored four times, including the third in the 3-0 cup win over Rangers at Ibrox.
Steven Fletcher

In the absence of the suspended Derek Riordan and the departed Garry O'Connor, the young striker could be handed a start.
Ivan Sproule

Hibs hope the flying winger can use his pace to get behind the Hearts defence. Admitted he was overawed by last year's semi-final against Dundee United, but the Ulsterman is unlikely to be fazed this time.

Substitutes from: Simon Brown, Scott Brown, Chris Hogg, Jamie McCluskey, Darren Smith.
HEARTS
ROUTE TO THE SEMI-FINAL

Third round: beat Kilmarnock (h) 2-1
Fourth round: beat Aberdeen (h) 3-0
Quarter-final: beat Partick Thistle (h) 2-1
PROBABLE TEAM
Craig Gordon

The goalkeeper is in top form and has just signed a lucrative new contract tying him to Hearts until 2009. A key player for the Tynecastle club.
Robbie Neilson

A consistent performer at right-back, Neilson has started all but one of Hearts' SPL games.
Andy Webster

The centre-back missed last week's win over Falkirk through illness but has since recovered. Coach Valdas Ivanauskas must decide whether to recall Webster or stick with Jose Goncalves.
Steven Pressley

The captain sustained a head injury against Falkirk which forced him off but is expected to return.
Takis Fysass

Was given a tough time by Rangers winger Chris Burke during the recent league match at Tynecastle but the left-back has been a stand-out for Hearts this season.
Deividas Cesnauskis

The mercurial Lithuanian has laid claim to the wide-right midfield role since George Burley's departure. Gifted but inconsistent.
Bruno Aguiar

A contender to deputise for the suspended Julian Brellier in midfield. Aguiar, signed from Benfica in January, has played four times.
Paul Hartley

Outstanding this season. Has contributed 11 goals from midfield, including three against Hibs. Hearts' main creative threat.
Rudi Skacel

His form has shaded after a blistering start to the season, but Skacel is still Hearts' top scorer with 16 league goals, two coming against Hibs.
Edgaras Jankauskas

The big Lithuanian is in a rich vein of form with seven goals in his last seven appearances. Sent off the last time he faced Hibs in the 2-0 defeat at Easter Road.
Callum Elliot

Expected to start in place of the suspended Roman Bednar. The young striker led the line with great maturity in the 4-1 win over Hibs.

Taken from the Scotsman