Stephen Kingsley reveals his recovery from Scottish Cup penalty agony to become a Hearts hero

Failing to convert in the shootout defeat could have turned some supporters against a player just two months into his career at Tynecastle Park. Kingsley defiantly refused to allow that scenario to play out. His reaction exemplified the character which transformed him into a hero.

Consistently strong defending at left-back and, more recently, centre-back endeared him to anyone with lingering doubts. Marauding forward runs and intelligent distribution of the ball showed extra attributes that help set him apart. Then there are those free-kicks.

Kingsley is perhaps the most adept set-piece taker in the country right now, a threat which Rangers will be mindful of at Hampden Park in this weekend’s final. The Hearts player returns to the scene of his supposed “crime” feeling confident having already overwritten the memory of that 2020 disappointment.

His beautifully-angled free-kick high into the Hibs net just a few weeks ago proved to be the winning goal which took Hearts into this year’s final. Kingsley is at the peak of his powers and is fully aware of fans’ adulation. Modestly, he doesn’t indulge in it too much.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play in big games with Hearts,” he said, speaking exclusively to the Evening News. “The last cup final against Celtic came really quickly after I arrived. That was a huge occasion but without the fans it was different.

“This one will be the last game and it can be the pinnacle of our season. Personally, the occasion will be right up there in my career. You don’t get to cup finals very often. I just hope this one finishes a bit better than the last one.

“We did brilliantly to get back into the game after being 2-0 down in that 2020 final, take it to extra-time and then penalties. It was a