Robbie Neilson has challenged his Hearts Hampden heroes to safe a “nice” season by getting their fingers on the Scottish Cup.
The Jambos made it two derby wins within the area of seven days with a 2-1 victory in opposition to their 10-men rivals after Joe Newell was despatched off within the second half of their semi closing.
Hearts had been main at that time by means of Ellis Simms and a Stephen Kingsley surprise strike earlier than Chris Cadden pulled one again in six frantic first half minutes.
There have been no extra objectives after the restart but it surely was Hibs who had been the higher facet even after Newell’s dismissal for a second yellow with Craig Gordon pulling off a superb save to disclaim Ryan Porteous a leveller.
Hearts have already secured third place within the Scottish Premiership and this win ensures European group stage soccer subsequent season as they go into the Europa League play off spherical which, even when they lose, would see them drop into the Convention League group.
And Neilson advised the BBC: “We spoke earlier than the sport about the way it’s been season, immediately has turned it into a very good season so can we go now to Hampden and make it an important season?
“It was a troublesome, robust recreation and credit score to the Hearts gamers but additionally credit score to the Hibs gamers as I assumed they battled rather well and put us underneath lots of stress, moreso with 10 males and it was an actual nail-biter on the finish.
“I’m simply delighted to get by means of and I can go house and relaxation now!
“We did properly to get that second objective after which there’s that five-minute interval and we made the wee error and allow them to in it and it offers them a chance.
“However to the gamers credit score they hung in there and deserved to undergo.”
Hearts did undergo a double damage blow with Andy Halliday going off within the first half and Craig Halkett stretchered off within the second.
And Neilson shrugged when requested about Gordon’s gorgeous cease, saying: “It’s lavatory normal for Craig - I anticipated him to catch it!
“He’s been excellent this yr however the remainder of the gamers have been the identical.”