JIM JEFFERIES still jokes with former referee Willie Young about Hearts' last Scottish Cup triumph when the whistler put him through agony on the touchline.

Young played almost SEVEN minutes of stoppage time at Parkhead before blowing for full-time, condemning Rangers to a 2-1 defeat and sending the maroon half of Edinburgh wild.

It was the first time in 40 years Jambos had lifted a trophy and Jefferies (right) along with assistant Billy Brown were hailed as heroes.

The Kilmarnock boss would love to see the Gorgie men win it again this year but believes the outpouring of emotion in 98 can't be matched. Jeff said: "I told the players they'd never get a better chance to lift a trophy. They had to be aware of the heartache the club had suffered.

"I mentioned the title collapse of 86 and other major letdowns. I told them 75 per cent of Jambos fans felt they'd never see Hearts win anything and we were seen as nearly men.

"Whatever we thought lifting the trophy would feel like you can multiply by 10.

"I've never witnessed scenes of joy like it.

"I don't know if it will be the same if Hearts do it this year. They'll get a fabulous response from the supporters but it's different now.

"The final whistle was my best memory. I have a great relationship with Willie and we still chat about it now. I tell him that day was the reason electronic sub boards were brought in!

"He put us through hell by playing six minutes, 45 seconds extra.

"But his reply is always, 'Listen - your big goalie was f***ing about!'

"I told him it was up to Rangers to go and get the ball. But he put 10 years on my life in those few minutes."

Jefferies insists his only regret from that day was not taking the celebratory open-top bus further across the city. He said: "It wasn't until afterwards we realised the streets were lined with fans right up to Corstorphine."

Taken from the Sunday Mail