Hearts vs Hibs Scottish Cup semi tees up £3m Euro group stage corker as Jambos heavy lifting could be in vain

Hearts can secure a third-placed finish before the split arrives – with the potential to confirm their best of the rest place against Hibs.

Robbie Neilson's side are going great guns in the Scottish Premiership with a draw against Dundee United stretching their lead over the chasing back to 13 points.

They also now have a Scottish Cup semi-final against their rivals in mid-April to look forward to and the likelihood is they will have made themselves secure come Hampden weekend.

That could bring great European riches - but Hibs themselves could grab the prize by winning the semi and then the final to wipe out a season of great work in Gorgie.

The Jambos face Livingston, Ross County and Hibs in their final three post-split fixtures - currently the remainder of the top six - and if they win all three plus their first post split fixture on April 23.

But if Dundee United, St Mirren and Motherwell also drop points in the next three weeks it can be wrapped up on April 3 at home to Shaun Maloney's men in the league derby.

That would turn the following Scottish Cup meeting into a straight shootout to guarantee group stage European football and an instant £3million minimum payout.

If Hearts, Rangers or Celtic win the Cup, the Jambos will be parachuted into the Europa League playoff qualifier with just one tie to play in order to make the group.

Lose the tie, and they'll be consoled by becoming the first team outside Glasgow in well over a decade to reach a UEFA group stage, in the second season of the Europa Conference League.

With the Old Firm doing battle in the other semi, that will be guaranteed if Hearts can see off their capital rivals at Hampden but should Hibs beat them and then the Glaswegian representative in the final