Kingsley cracker earns Scottish Cup final place for Hearts against Hibs

Hearts held off 10-man Hibernian in a 2-1 win at Hampden Park to go through to their third Scottish Cup final in four years.

Terrific strikes from forward Ellis Simms and defender Stephen Kingsley propelled the Hearts into a two-goal lead inside 21 minutes, before Hibs midfielder Chris Cadden immediately reduced the deficit.

In a feisty and occasionally tetchy encounter, Hibs Joe Newell was sent off in the 64th minute by referee John Beaton for picking up the second of two yellow cards for a foul on Peter Haring. The Easter Road men gave it their all but the Tynecastle side, who had beat their Edinburgh rivals 3-1 in the Premiership last week, again emerged victors.

Hearts lost to Celtic in both the 2019 and 2020 finals and they will face either the Celtic or Rangers who play in the other semi-final on Sunday, a game which will no doubt bring its own drama.

After the chastening derby defeat last week, Hibsmanager Shaun Maloney made five changes with Ryan Porteous returning from suspension and James Scott, Ewan Henderson, Lewis Stevenson and the fit-again Paul McGinn back in the team.

An unchanged Hearts were unchanged side had to withstand some early Hibs pressure with an early shout for an Easter Road penalty when the ball struck the top of Hearts defender Kingsley’s arm ignored by referee Beaton, judging it to be tight to his side.

Hearts worked their way slowly into the game and took the lead in the 16th minute after Hibs had conceded possession in midfield. Barrie McKay quickly played forward to Simms and the 21-year-old on-loan Everton player wasted no time in arrowing a shot from 20 yards past keeper Matt Macey.

The second goal five minutes later was even better and came after Hearts won a free-kick 35 yards from