Hampden Roar

The Jambos snatched a dramatic League Cup Final slot with a penalty shootout win over Caley Thistle at Easter Road.

Boss McGlynn beamed: “This is why I came back to Hearts — to be part of occasions like this.

“The final will be a proud day for me. Going to Hampden will be very special.”

Hearts roared to victory in a nail-biting penalty decider to clinch a second final date in ten months.

Last May, Paulo Sergio led them to glory over capital rivals Hibs in the Scottish Cup.

And McGlynn — whose side will face either St Mirren or Celtic on March 17 — said: “The players put in so much effort to win this tie and I’m absolutely delighted.

“The club has great history over the past 100 years, finishing third in the league and getting to finals. That’s part of why the supporters follow Hearts.

“For me it’s why I came back here and I’m delighted after seven or eight months we’re going back to Hampden.”

Cash-strapped Hearts can expect a £500,000 windfall by reaching the final which will help their survival fight.

McGlynn added: “It’s a massive boost to everyone. I’m not the financial director but there are two tickets left in the raffle now.

“Financially it’s a massive boost. The club is still not out of the woods yet.

“For the players, backroom staff, directors and obviously supporters it’s just great. And you never know what can happen in the final. But I’m just so pleased for the fans.

“There has been a lot of doom and gloom and negativity recently.”

Caley took the lead through Andrew Shinnie in 48 minutes before Michael Ngoo levelled in 66 minutes.

Ten minutes later, Hearts midfielder Scott Robinson was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Owain Tudur Jones.

But Caley Thistle couldn’t make the extra man count with the game going into extra-time and then penalties.

Nine spot-kicks were scored before Philip Roberts blasted the tenth kick over the bar.

McGlynn added: “When the going got tough and the players had to dig in, they did.

“Michael only joined us on Friday and had a quick training session with the lads.

“I felt he would be a surprise for the Inverness players who wouldn’t have known what to expect.

“He was a handful and scored a good goal.

“But when it went to penalties there was nine great kicks and it’s just unfortunate for the lad Roberts that he missed. I commiserate him, it’s not the nicest way to lose a match.

“But I thought overall it was justice that we won.”

There was some bad news for Hearts though with skipper Marius Zaliukas suspended for the Hampden final after picking up a booking.