Auchinleck clash was just as important as Hampden meeting with Hibs, says Hearts boss Paulo Sergio

May 17 2012

HEARTS boss Paulo Sergio has played down the all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup Final by claiming the clash is no more important to his men than the fourth round victory over Auchinleck Talbot.

The Jambos made hard work of January's tie against the junior side - eventually emerging 1-0 winners thanks to a Gordon Smith goal in the last 10 minutes.

Since the semi-finals a month ago, Edinburgh has been gripped by cup final fever, with Hibs seeking to win the trophy for the first time since 1902.

Sergio, though, places no extra emphasis on the final just because Hibs are the opponents.

He said: "For me it's an opponent, it's a game that I want to win like all the others.

"It's not special because it's Hibs.

"This is a game that is as important as it was to win against Auchinleck.

"If we didn't beat Auchinleck, we would not be here to play this one."

Sergio declined requests to pose with the Scottish Cup, saying: "Hopefully Saturday night I'm going to touch that cup and I'm going to sleep with that.

"But I don't want to be with the cup when I haven't won that cup. I have no right to be taking photos with the cup.

"Hopefully I'm going to have that right on Saturday."

The Tynecastle boss says he will wait on making a decision on striker Craig Beattie ahead of the Hampden showpiece.

Beattie scored the decisive penalty as Hearts beat Celtic in the semi-final last month.

Asked whether he had selected his side, Sergio said: "Yes, three days ago."

On Beattie, who missed the end of the SPL season with a hamstring injury, Sergio added: "He worked yesterday, he's going to work today too.

"We're going to see and take a decision if he is fit enough to deserve to be in the squad."

Taken from the Daily Record