TOP CATS CRAIG AND PAUL HAVE TOO MUCH BITE FOR UNDERDOGS

AS the last manager to win the competition with Hearts and the last man to lead the underdogs to Scottish Cup glory, Jim Jefferies knows the task facing both bosses at Hampden tomorrow.

Jefferies was at the helm for the greatest moment in Hearts' recent history when his team caused a massive upset in the 1998 Final at Celtic Park by defeating Rangers 2-1.

And as he looked back on an afternoon that will live with him forever, Jefferies revealed how he is probably in the unique position of understanding just what lies ahead for Valdas Ivanauskas and Rowan Alexander this weekend.

Forty years Hearts had waited for silverware before Colin Cameron and Stephane Adam ended the misery by grabbing the goals that put Rangers to the sword.

It was a result that sent shock waves through Scottish football and signalled the end of an era at Ibrox, with Ally McCoist, Andy Goram, Stuart McCall, Brian Laudrup and boss Walter Smith all moving on after the Parkhead defeat.

Jefferies believes victory for Gretna at the National Stadium tomorrow would be an even bigger surprise. But he doesn't envisage his former club being on the wrong end of another act of giant-killing.

He said: "It's weird because I can probably appreciate what is going through the minds of both managers ahead of the Final.

"With Hearts there is so much expectation and the supporters are desperate to cap an amazing season with silverware.

"When we beat Rangers it had been 40 years since Hearts had won the Cup and I think many fans thought it might never happen again.

"Part of me also felt we might be destined never to win a major trophy again and that brought with it a lot of pressure.

"Thankfully we managed to defy the odds and pull it off. The scenes at the final whistle were incredible because I suddenly realised just how much this meant to everyone associated with the club.

"I will never forget the feeling of unbridled joy at the end and the delighted look on the supporters' faces will live with me for ever.

"Few people gave us a chance but we had pushed the Old Firm for much of the season in the league and we always believed in ourselves.

"Gretna need to do the same, although I'm sure they won't lack for any confidence given the wonderful season they have enjoyed.

"Being the underdogs will suit them. It certainly suited Hearts back in '98, although I just don't think Gretna have enough quality to cause another upset.

"In Paul Hartley and Craig Gordon Hearts have the two best players in Scotland this season and they should have too much class for Gretna.

"The fact they have already finished second in the SPL and qualified for the Champions League also takes a lot of pressure away and ensures they go into the match brimming with confidence."

Unsurprisingly, Jefferies can remember almost every aspect of the greatest day in his football career, from the moment he knew Hearts would never get a better chance of beating Rangers to the longest spell of injury time he's ever had to endure.

He said: "When I looked at the Rangers team I knew this was a great opportunity for us.

"The nine-in-a-row team was about to break up and Walter Smith had already announced he was leaving at the end of the season.

"Gazza had already gone, Laudrup was going to Chelsea and hadn't been at his best and Albertz was suspended.

"The early goal after two minutes helped settle us down and when Stephane got in behind Amoruso to score a second I couldn't believe what was happening.

"Surprisingly, I was quite calm and with about 10 minutes to go I turned to Billy Brown and said, We're going to win this'.

"The words weren't fully out of my mouth when McCoist pulled one back and then Rangers started to steamroller us.

"We were holding on by the skin of our teeth and Rangers had a decent penalty appeal turned down in the dying minutes.

"My players were dead on their feet but to make matters worse the referee, Willie Young, added six-and-a-half minutes of stoppage time.

"It was pure torture and took 10 years off my life but somehow we managed to hold on for an incredible win.

Taken from the Daily Record