Hibs can beat Hearts at Hampden, says Mixu Paatelainen, as he hails return of leader Ryan Porteous

The Finn has experience of beating Hearts as a player and manager of the Easter Road side, and he was heartened by the first-half display by Shaun Maloney’s side until Andy Halliday’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time set the tone for the second half.

"Saturday is a day for guys with proper attitude. It’s exactly the same as when Hibs went to the Scottish Cup final [in 2016]. Not too many people believed they would win it but they did,” Paatelainen says.

“It’s up to the players, it’s up to the whole team. It can be done, no question. Hibs were the better team in the first half on Saturday and if they play at Hampden the way they played in the first half last weekend, they can beat Hearts.”

The likely return of Ryan Porteous in defence for Hibs can make a big difference too, according to Mixu, who sees shades of another young Hibee in the 23-year-old centre-back.

“He is a strong player for Hibs. A leader at the back, he demands from others. It’s important when you play that there is someone who whips everyone else – you need that,” the former Hong Kong boss continues.

“Players develop differently. Some are young, but are leaders – Scott Brown was young at Hibs but he was a leader, which I spotted early doors.

"Some develop that leadership later in their career. It is important that players stand up for that role and you have guys who whip the others as well as encourage and support – the more the merrier. Ryan is still relatively young, but you need leaders, and he is one.”

Hibs have a young team currently, save for older head like Paul Hanlon, Darren McGregor, and Lewis Stevenson, but Paatelainen believes success comes down to confidence.

“If you are not confident on the pitch then you are not going to be a leader out