Edinburgh's big day out in Glasgow

TWO sets of fans filled Hampden Park singing, chanting and waving banners, but only one set was still smiling on the way out.

Hearts supporters left the ground preparing to celebrate late into the night, but those in green and white did not even wait for the final whistle.

The Hibs end, which was nowhere near full even at kick off, started to empty after 80 minutes.

By that time they were four goals behind and down to nine men.

The Hearts supporters were going crazy, the Hibs fans were shaking their heads in disbelief.

John McManus, 38, of Leith Walk, said as he left the ground: "I am absolutely gutted. I can't believe we lost by that scoreline. What a disaster."

As they filed into supporters buses they received little sympathy from their Hearts counterparts.

Eric Henderson, 55, of Elie, in Fife, admitted from a Hearts bus: "We've been giving them some stick.

"We just passed a Hibs bus, they were pretty deflated. This overtakes the seven-nil victory they had over us in 1973. This wipes the slate clean.

"This was a semi-final at Hampden in a major competition. Hibs were the ones who wanted to play it at Hampden - they would have been better at Murrayfield."

Earlier, the same Hearts supporters bus passed the team coach as it headed to the stadium.

Dave Henderson, 24, of Moat Street, Edinburgh, said: "In that coach those players' hearts must have been in their mouths, they would have been so nervous.

"There were about 2000 fans in Hearts colours lining the streets. It must have seemed like a home game.

"Some players waved, but Paul Hartley didn't. He was so focused he looked like he was in a trance.

"We said then that we thought he was really up for it, and he clearly was.

"His was one of the best performances I have ever seen."

After the final whistle, the Hibs players walked quickly off the pitch, briefly acknowledging what was left of their dejected fans.

By contrast, the Hearts players gathered in a huddle, before running to their ecstatic fans.

When one threw a scarf from the stands down onto the pitch, Hartley picked it up and waved it around.

Mark Thomas, 21, of Dalry Road, said: "It was absolutely tremendous.

"I've sung so many songs I'm hoarse now. The Hearts team was wonderful. And Hartley was just immense.

"After the third goal we knew there was no way back for Hibs.

"The celebrating started in Hampden and it will continue in Gorgie late into the night."

Dave Henderson added: "The place went pretty berserk.

"After each goal it was carnage. People were jumping up and down, screaming their heads off, going mad. We're absolutely delighted with the way the game went.

"No-one could have predicted that before kick-off.

"We left Edinburgh on the bus at about 8.45. A few people were confident but it was about 50-50. Personally, I was not very confident. I thought we'd do well to get a draw."

The Hibs fans had not been lacking in confidence as they headed to the stadium.

"If any of them had any premonitions of what was to come, they hid it well as they sang songs, waved banners and shared jokes with Glasgow residents. One Hibs fan said: "Everyone's in good spirits. We're in the semi-final of the Tennent's Cup. Anything can happen from here.

"Gretna's waiting in the final and the winners of this tie have a great chance of lifting the cup."

Ninety minutes later though, there was only one Edinburgh team with any hope of cup glory.

Taken from the Scotsman