'Similar to Rangers and Celtic' - the rewards awaiting Hearts if they beat Hibs at Hampden

Ultimately, Robbie Neilson and his Hearts players want to wrap up a positive season with a Scottish Cup final win on May 21.

To get their shot at that, though, they first have to thwart rivals Hibs. It is something the Gorgie club have managed every time they have faced their foes at Hampden, most recently in the 2020 Scottish Cup semi-final, and they have momentum after overturning a Hibs opener in last weekend’s league match at Tynecastle to run out comfortable 3-1 victors.

Even if they were to then fall at the final hurdle against either Celtic or Rangers, getting there would still reap rewards. Not that Hearts are capping their ambition.

Beyond the usual capital bragging rights, victory over Hibs would guarantee them a shot at the Europa League group stages, well-versed on the safety net the Conference League provides teams entering the qualifiers at that point.

The £3m-plus they should earn would help cushion the blow of missing out on domestic silverware and help them finance subsequent attempts.

“Ourselves, Aberdeen, Hibs, Dundee United and a number of other teams are always looking for that opportunity to get into the group stages, because it allows you to reinvest and hopefully gives you a chance to do it again and again and again.

“I suppose it’s similar to Rangers and Celtic, and the teams down south who make Europe. They can start to pull away from everyone else. So, if we can get there it would be a big step.”

There is real currency in winning the most prestigious cup in the country, though. That comes with kudos and admission to a very elite group.

“It would be great for everyone at the club, to be honest with you,” admitted Neilson, who was part of the club’s 2006-cup winning side that enjoyed a dominant