Hibernian's chance to overturn Hearts and history in Scottish Cup

Hibernian have not claimed the cup since 1902. Six years earlier was the last time Hibs met Hearts in the final. The stage is set for a dramatic encounter

Ewan Murray

This year's Scottish Cup final offers Hibernian an opportunity to exorcise demons in fairytale fashion. Not since 1902 have the club claimed the cup, a ludicrous record given their historically prominent standing. Six years earlier marked the last time Hibs and Hearts met in the final.

On Saturday the Edinburgh clubs will come face to face at Hampden Park to round off the Scottish season. Hearts are the favourites to lift the cup – a 10-match unbeaten run against their city rivals plays a significant part in that – with Hibs aware of the significance of causing an upset.

Pat Fenlon, the Hibs manager, said: "I'm conscious of that and what it means to a hell of a lot of people – be they Hibs or Hearts fans. It has been so long for the Hibs fans and there are a hell of a lot of stories about people missing out and not seeing it through generations of the same family. It is something I've thought about and that is the real reason I'd like to win it, more than anything else.

"I've had more letters, DVDs and books sent to me over the last two weeks. They are not all about Hibs; there is a bit of motivation, a bit of getting into people's heads. I actually got one in relation to generals in a war. They've come from complete strangers."

Fenlon acknowledges Hearts' status with bookmakers. "I think everybody classes them as favourites apart from ourselves," he said. "We think we are capable of winning the game. Everybody apart from our own supporters appear to have written us off, but that is the way it has been since the start of the season so we just have to live with it."

Fenlon's captain, James McPake, said: "On the day we will not be thinking about that 110 years, we'll just be thinking about that 90 minutes, or 90 minutes plus extra time. That's our chance to wipe away all the 110 years of history and make us heroes at this football club.

"For this football club to win the Scottish Cup would be massive, but for the fans especially, if we could go out and win it against Hearts it would be something they'd talk about for probably the next 110 years."

The Hearts captain, Marius Zaliukas, has talked up the final as the biggest match in his club's history. Fans on both sides apparently agree, with tickets changing hands on the black market for hundreds of pounds.

"I don't think a lot has to be said to the team because everyone understands the importance of the game and we're going to be ready for it," said Zaliukas. "Everyone is buzzing. Everyone wants to win.

"I wouldn't say anyone is nervous. Everyone is excited and just can't wait for Saturday. Everyone is thinking what it's going to be like if we win or if we lose, but everyone is very confident and we're going to go to win. Everyone is going to be involved in history."

Taken from the Guardian/Observer