Stephen Kingsley targets a 'pop' at Rangers as Hearts star laces shooting boots up to end personal trophy drought

Stephen Kingsley is pulling his shooting boots on and taking aim against Rangers - because he's determined to finally win a major trophy.

The left-sided defender has had a career many of his current Hearts teammates will envy, having played in the English Premier League for Swansea and been capped twice by Scotland. But he's never been in the right place at the right time to lift a top honour, his only silverware to date a Challenge Cup with Falkirk and the 2021 Championship with the Jambos.

But he has the chance to take a big step closer to it this weekend when Hearts take on Rangers at Hampden looking to make the Viaplay Cup final on December 17. Asked if that elusive major trophy plays on his mind, he told the Edinburgh Evening News: "It doesn't affect me because experience helps, but it's a massive goal of mine. I've been lucky enough to play at really good level and play for my country and everything, but I'm still champing at the bit to get that cup success.

"I'm obviously proud of what I've done in my career, but you want that trophy, you want that medal and the experience of that high. I think it would be something you will always remember above all else. It's going to be tough on Sunday but we will give it absolutely everything we've got."

Since moving to Tynecastle two years ago, Kingsley has cultivated a reputation as a free-kick specialist and has quite the highlight reel with 12 goals in his 115 appearances. He scored a stunner against Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final in 2022 and asked if he was out to do the same again against Rangers, he said: "Yeah, I'm hoping it's something similar this time. If there is a free-kick or if I get into good areas in open play, I might have a wee pop...

"I had a couple