Ian Black ready to showcase his skills

Published on Saturday 19 May 2012 12:00

Hearts midfielder Ian Black will use today’s William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibs as his own personal showcase.

The 27-year-old midfielder’s contract at the Tynecastle club will not be renewed so he will feature for his boyhood heroes for the last time in the biggest Edinburgh derby of all, not knowing where he will be playing his football next season.

With that in mind, Black is looking to leave the national stadium with a list of potential suitors as well as a cup winner’s medal.

“There is no interest yet so the final is a big game for me to put myself in the window and hopefully somebody will come and offer me something,” he said.

“I cannot wait, it is the biggest game of the season for me and the fans as well. I am excited and just want it to come around.

“Everybody wants to end on a high and to bow out of the club after winning the Scottish Cup final, it would be the perfect way to do it.”

There will be few football fans in Scotland who are not now aware that the two Capital clubs meet in the final of the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1896.

Asked if he had dreamed of scoring the winner or parading the cup, the former Inverness midfielder said: “Everybody dreams. I would be lying if I said I haven’t. But obviously I need to go into the game with a good attitude along with the rest of the boys.

“It is going to be a tough game but I can’t wait to get there. It’s a derby but being the Scottish Cup final it is going to have that extra edge, but I’m sure we will have cool heads and the gaffer will have us in the right frame of mind to go for it.”