Will Hearts’ cup exploits improve league form? – Angus Robertson

Long-suffering Hearts fans have good reason for a spring in their step, as do Hibs fans, with the draw for the next round of the Scottish Cup against their city rivals. Following the Jambos’ weekend 1-0 success against Rangers, the only disappointment is that the two Edinburgh teams can’t both make it to the final.

Given Hearts’ poor league form, it really is quite exceptional that they should have beaten Rangers on both of their last outings. With a focus on strengthening the side’s defensive resilience, manager Daniel Stendel can celebrate an unexpected boost and hope that the progress continues.

The positive parts played by Oliver Bozanic, Loic Damour and Clevid Dikamona, who have not been first-team regulars, must help inject more competition and confidence into the squad.

It won’t take long before fans can have a sneak preview of the cup semi-final with Hibs hosting Hearts at Easter Row tonight. It will be interesting to see whether Stendel rewards the more peripheral players who provided such excellent service against Rangers.

We may be more than halfway through the season, but despite Hearts languishing at the bottom of the table, they still have a game in hand against penultimate team Hamilton Accies.

After Hibs, the next league match is against third-placed Motherwell at home on Saturday and then against tenth-placed St Mirren. Hearts fans have to hope for league points and not just cup success, welcome though that is.