'My family are all Celtic fans, so they might not speak to me for days'

Graeme Macpherson
Football Writer

FOR Hearts and Hibernian fans, Craig Beattie's winning goal in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final was the shot heard around the world.

Expatriate fans of both clubs, who may have baulked at the prospect of travelling thousands of miles to watch their team face one half of the Old Firm, were yesterday making plans to get home in time for May 19 and the first Scottish Cup final between the Edinburgh rivals since 1896. With that kind of record, only the most patient or optimistic will elect to wait until the next one.

Demands for tickets have already started filling up Ryan McGowan's inbox. The Australian believes hundreds of fans of both sides will journey across the world from his homeland to Hampden, and expects others from all corners of the globe will do likewise for what will be a genuine once-in-a-lifetime event. "There will be people coming from all over the world, not just Australia, to be at this final," the Hearts defender said. "It's one of those games that will be part of history. Nobody will want to miss it. I'm not too sure if my family will be coming over from Australia, I'll need to speak to them. The problem is, they're all Celtic fans – so they might not be speaking to me for a few days."

The incentives for both sides are huge. Hibernian haven't won the competition since 1902 and the prospect of breaking their duck against their rivals will have all of Leith in a quiver. For Hearts, the chance to prolong their neighbours' agony by winning a third Scottish Cup in 14 years is just as exciting.

"Nobody alive has ever seen a Hibs versus Hearts final and I don't think anybody alive has seen Hibs win the cup either, so it's going to be a massive, massive occasion," said McGowan. "It will give Edinburgh a massive boost and give Scottish football a huge boost. To have two capital teams will be special. There's that element of beating your rivals and denying them the trophy. There is that added bit about Hibs but we're not worried about how long they've not won it – we're focused on ourselves. If we play to our capabilities, we've got a real good chance."

McGowan won't even be able to escape the mounting fervour when he heads home to his digs after training. "I actually stay with a lady who is a diehard Hearts fan. She has got the DVDs out all the time and got the pictures all over the house. I've been at the club five-and-a-half years now, I joined just after they'd won the Scottish Cup last time, so I know how big it is. Jamie MacDonald, Andrew Driver and a few of the more experienced players have told us all about it. It's something that I'm looking to be part of this time."

He will not be the only one. Despite the fact nine Hearts players went into the semi-final knowing that a booking would rule them out of the showpiece occasion, each managed to avoid such a fate. As far as manager Paulo Sergio is concerned, that is incredible.

"The easy way that we keep picking up yellow cards it was a miracle that we did not lose any players for the final," said the Portuguese. "I am very proud of the players for what they did and I am happy for the Hearts supporters to see them so filled with joy. It was a great day for us. Maybe we are not the best team in the world, but together we are strong when we work as a unit. We have to continue our work and be humble."

At least one player will miss the big day at Hampden, though. Jamie Hamill ruptured a cruciate knee ligament in the build-up to the Celtic tie and will be missing for the next few months, a blow which moved team-mate Ian Black to dedicate the win to the midfielder.

"The gaffer got us well organised before the game and we've done it for Jamie Hamill. We were all gutted for him," said Black. "Jamie has been such a key part of this squad, he works so hard. He got us the goal at St Mirren and kept us in the game and the boys are all doing this for him. It's just a dream, as a Hearts man I'm quite emotional. I hope to go on and fulfil the dream and lift the trophy."

For all that the attention will be on the final, though, Black insists Hearts will not allow their league form to suffer. "The boys are buzzing at the moment, all celebrating, but there is still a long way to go and we want to catch fourth place," he said. "The final is obviously first thing on people's mind, but there are some big games coming up."

Taken from the Herald