Robbie Neilson ready to block out Scottish Cup final 'nonsense' as Hearts prepare for Rangers

Within 18 months, the young defender witnessed a League Cup final defeat and a Scottish Cup final triumph as Hearts ended 36 years without a major trophy. He thought such high-octane occasions were merely the norm in Gorgie, but quickly learned to understand their rarity.

On Saturday, Neilson leads Hearts into a second Scottish Cup final as manager 26 years since he first walked in the front door as a player. The ambition and hunger hasn’t waned, nor the passion for the cause. This is very much his club regardless of any allegiances he may have felt as a child.

He understands the magnitude of facing Rangers at Hampden Park and the significance whenever Hearts lift silverware. After watching from the periphery as a teenager in 1998, he enjoyed a central role on the field against Gretna eight years later.

Recent years have seen Scottish Cup finals come along more frequently. The Edinburgh club have now reached three of the last four without managing to carry the trophy back on the bus.

Neilson will spend his final moments before kick-off on Saturday in the Hampden dressing-room stressing the opportunity available to his players, and the need to seize their moment.

“I was here as a young player in 1998,” he recalled, speaking exclusively to the Evening News. “I was at the game and I was at the parade the following day. I was part of it in 2006 and I also went to the final in 2012.

“I understand the nature of it, what it can mean to the players for the rest of their lives if they can get that result. It's letting them realise that but also maintaining that calmness to make sure they focus on the game.

“I was only in the door a couple of years at Hearts and they'd had a League Cup final and a Scottish Cup final. I'd come to