John McGlynn says his side must end Hearts' 50-year League Cup wait

HEARTS haven't lifted the cup since 1963 but their gaffer knows they’re just two games from securing the silverware and gaining relief from months of misery over the club's finances.

JOHN MCGLYNN is desperate to salvage glory from Hearts’ season of financial wreckage by ending their half-century League Cup hoodoo.

The last time the Tynecastle club went all the way was 1963 when they defeated Kilmarnock 1-0.

They face Inverness on Saturday at Easter Road for the right to appear at Hampden in March and McGlynn admits the 50-year hitch has been weighing on his mind since he took charge last summer.

Jambos haven’t appeared in the final since 1996 when they lost 4-3 to Rangers.

Now they’re just two games from securing the silverware and gaining euphoric relief from months of misery that have left the club struggling for survival under a mountain of debt.

But McGlynn knows his young side will need to pull out all the stops to get past in-form Caley Thistle.

The Jambos boss said: “Fifty years is a long time so it’s very important we win the League Cup. It was one of the targets we set ourselves when I came in.

“I’m sure there will be a great atmosphere at the semi-final. A 20,000 crowd inside Hampden wouldn’t have been great so if ourselves and Inverness can fill Easter Road that would be perfect.

“Our league games against Caley this season both ended in draws. We were 2-0 up at home against 10 men but they came back and got a point.

“Then we were 1-0 behind at Inverness but got a late equaliser.

“So the two games have been very even but they’re the in-form team and have been the surprise package of the season.”

Hitkid Gordon Smith has extra motivation to hoist the trophy aloft and become a Hearts legend. The 21-year-old failed to make the squad for last season’s Scottish Cup Final in which the Jambos demolished Hibs 5-1.

He said: “The League Cup is massive and Hearts haven’t won it in 50 years.

“We can be legends. Everyone in the changing room is talking about it and buzzing. The boys who were not part of the cup final last year want to experience it for themselves.

“Personally, it was hard to miss out but as a Hearts fan I was just desperate for us to beat Hibs. I was sitting in the stands thinking: ‘I hope it will be me one day.’”

The financial rewards if they reach the final will go towards helping Hearts see out the season.

McGlynn said: “The money side of it is massive because we are struggling financially and not out the woods yet.”

Hearts had their transfer ban lifted last week, allowing them to sign Under-21s, and McGlynn snapped up Liverpool’s Danny Wilson on loan until summer.

He’s still looking for more recruits down south and said: “We have been going to England all season to watch Under-21 games.”

Taken from the Daily Record