Robbie Neilson highlights big steps needed for Hearts to lift a trophy

While Championship title wins of 2015 and 2021 were memorable, they don’t count as top-level successes in Scottish football. Neilson would not pretend otherwise.

He is eager to deliver this season’s Scottish Cup for Hearts and their supporters. Saturday’s semi-final against Hibs at Hampden Park could take him one massive step closer.

A major trophy is one of few ambitions Neilson has yet to fulfil whilst in charge of the Edinburgh club. He has guided them from the Championship to third in the Premiership and back into European competition in just over a year.

Now the focus switches to a tangible reward to cap the recent transformation. “It would be for everyone at the club, to be honest with you. There’s not been many teams at this club who have won a trophy,” acknowledged the manager.

“A number of them have qualified for Europe and a lot of teams have finished third and fourth in the league, but very few have won a cup. So, for us, that’s the objective now for the rest of the season, to try to bring a cup back here.

“Look, we’re still a long, long way away. To get here, we’ve only won three games and we’ve still got another two to go. We’re only 60 per cent done. You don’t want to get carried away. Yes, it would be great, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do.

“It’s been a good season, there’s no denying that, but it’s got the potential to be a great season. We’re a few games away from that and we have to take care of them first. I’ve been pleased with the players so far, but there’s still a couple of big steps to take.”

Beating Hibs 3-1 in the Premiership at Tynecastle Park last week sets Hearts up for Hampden. Another victory would likely secure European group-stage football until November. However, fundamentally,