Keep calm and carry it off

The former Hibs and Hearts midfielder insists the Hampden clash of his two old clubs is too close to call.

But Alloa manager Hartley knows from his experiences of playing in finals that the team which best copes with the occasion will prevail.

Hartley, who scored a hat-trick for the Jambos against Hibs in the 2006 semi-final before being sent off in the final against Gretna, said: “It should be a cracking game and it’s a tough one to call.

“Most people will say that Hearts are the favourites because of the season Hibs have had, but form will go out of the window.

“It will come down to who wants it most and who keeps a cool head.

“There will be a brilliant atmosphere. But the players will be nervous and whoever manages to stay calm will give themselves the best chance.

“Rudi Skacel will be really important for Hearts. He’s a big-game player and he has the experience of being there before.

“For Hibs, Leigh Griffiths and Garry O’Connor will be key figures because they are the ones they’ll be looking to for the goals.

“It could be anything that wins it — a piece of magic, a bit of luck or something else. But it’ll be a fantastic game.”

Hartley bagged a treble to down Hibs in the semis six years ago and that set Hearts up for the final, which they won on penalty kicks against Gretna.

The former Scotland star — who has just led Alloa to the Division Three championship — looks back fondly on that day, despite his red card.

He said: “I can remember walking out at Hampden and turning round to see 25,000 Hearts fans and we knew we couldn’t get beat that day. We performed really well.

“There is a bigger gap now between Hearts and Hibs than there was in 2006. The league places are much different and Hibs have struggled.

“But they have done really well in the Scottish Cup, so they will go into the final with confidence.

“It will be great for Scottish football. The atmosphere will be great.

“Hibs are looking to win the Cup for the first time in 110 years, while the rivalry between the clubs means it will be a huge occasion “It’s a game you don’t want to lose because it will live with you forever and you will be reminded of it forever.”

Darren Jackson — who also played for both clubs — admits he would love to turn back time and pull his boots on for one more 90 minutes in the Hampden final.

And he doesn’t care which team he’d be playing for — as long as he was involved.

Jacko made 170 appearances for Hibs before moving to Celtic. But his career took him back to Edinburgh with the Jambos in 1999.

The former Scotland striker was brought up a Hearts fan, but he insists he would be happy to see Hibs end their 110-year wait to lift the Cup.

He said: “I can honestly say I’m so jealous of the players — I would love to be playing in the final.

“It will be an amazing game. The whole of Edinburgh is buzzing.

“It’s great because Celtic and Rangers usually get all the attention, but for one day the capital is getting it and I think it’s brilliant.

“It wouldn’t even bother me who I was playing for, I’d just love to be out there.

“I had five years at Hibs and played for Hearts, so people say ‘Do you not want to just sit on the fence?’.

“My dad brought me up a Hearts fan and I was a mascot for Hearts.

“I spent five unbelievable years at Hibs, fantastic years. But I also had an unbelievable year-and-a-half at Hearts. So I’m going to be happy whoever wins it.

“My dad will not be too happy with me for that and he’ll be up there going mad, but if I was pushed I would probably go for Hibs.

“I think with them it will be the greatest day of the Hibs players and fans lives if they win it — but it could be the worst day of their lives if they lose it.

“I don’t see it that way with Hearts because they’ve been there and a lot of people have seen them win it twice in the last wee while.

“It will be a bad day if they are beaten by Hibs, don’t get me wrong. But Hibs have waited so long for it and it would mean more to them.”