***Official Heart of Midlothian v Celtic Scottish Cup Final 2020 thread***

[robbo1874]

Put them on the back foot as early as possible.

Shake their weakened confidence and get them rattled. Go for the jugular.

It'll be glorious if we do these tramps in the final. 

 

[maroonsgotop]

 Hopefully this team can return as Hampden Heroes

[Locky]

I wish I could share the same excitement as a lot of you guys, but I just can't get up for this. It's just not a Scottish Cup final.

 

Will be great for the club and team if we win it, but it's hard to look forward to it. Nae fans, nae street party, nae open top bus. That's what a Hearts cup win is all about isn't it?

[maroonsgotop]

4 minutes ago, Locky said:

I wish I could share the same excitement as a lot of you guys, but I just can't get up for this. It's just not a Scottish Cup final.

 

Will be great for the club and team if we win it, but it's hard to look forward to it. Nae fans, nae street party, nae open top bus. That's what a Hearts cup win is all about isn't it?

I'll be in Gorgie if we win to welcome the team back as will lots of others (socially distanced of course)

Edited December 13, 2020 by maroonsgotop

[maroonsgotop]

Just now, maroonsgotop said:

I'll be in Gorgie if we win to welcome the team back as will lots of others (socially distanced of course)

 

[Locky]

4 minutes ago, maroonsgotop said:

I'll be in Gorgie if we win to welcome the team back as will lots of others (socially distanced of course)

See, I'm thinking that. Will watch the game with my old man and he mentioned coming to mine, but I'd rather go to his in Southside so we can walk over to Gorgie.

 

Would be great to do that.

[highlandjambo3]

It Would be glorious to have it wrapped up at half time, that would give the soap dodgers plenty of time to get to hamdump em mass before the final whistle and really show everyone “the best fans in the world”

[indianajones]

I am not confident. 

[highlandjambo3]

13 minutes ago, maroonsgotop said:

I'll be in Gorgie if we win to welcome the team back as will lots of others (socially distanced of course)

I Have no fear, This will be me.....

[Wee Mikey]

20 minutes ago, maroonsgotop said:

I'll be in Gorgie if we win to welcome the team back as will lots of others (socially distanced of course)

 

14 minutes ago, Locky said:

See, I'm thinking that. Will watch the game with my old man and he mentioned coming to mine, but I'd rather go to his in Southside so we can walk over to Gorgie.

 

Would be great to do that.

 

Should it come to pass then I'll be there, and whilst I stroll along Dalry & Gorgie Road my head will be full of:-

 

 

[JimmyCant]

2 hours ago, Lfhearts said:

I don't think they will change team back, Christie may get into starting 11 but that's it

 

I’d be happy enough if Celtic start with what they started with today. No Christie. No Brown. No Rogic. No Griffiths. Edouard very quiet lately and looks like he doesn’t want to be there. A back 3 that has 2 poor defenders in it. A dodgy goalkeeper. A half fit Frimpong and another wing back playing above his level . Get in about McGregor and Soro in the middle. Occupy their wing backs and keep Elyanoussi in your pocket at set pieces. It’s so feckin easy this coaching malarkey.

Edited December 13, 2020 by JimmyCant

[martoon]

34 minutes ago, Locky said:

I wish I could share the same excitement as a lot of you guys, but I just can't get up for this. It's just not a Scottish Cup final.

 

Will be great for the club and team if we win it, but it's hard to look forward to it. Nae fans, nae street party, nae open top bus. That's what a Hearts cup win is all about isn't it?

 

The three Cup wins I've witnessed were all different. Cup4 will be different, too. 

 

Find a way to celebrate, Locky; it's happening. 

 

It will probably come naturally when it's done and dusted. 😊👍

[Horatio Caine]

It'll be weird having  league matches to play from a week after the final - just hope, whatever the outcome of next Sunday is, that we are well up for them.

Edited December 13, 2020 by Horatio Caine

[Tom Hardy’s Dug]

It’s funny.

 

Levein played Cochrane in the 4-0 game, Hickey in the last final, don’t want us to play a “contain” game but the majority sep far seem to want our 2 best passers (Irving and Lee) not starting...like they would accuse Levein of doing.

[Tom Hardy’s Dug]

1 hour ago, maroonsgotop said:

I'll be in Gorgie if we win to welcome the team back as will lots of others (socially distanced of course)

Will the team go back to Gorgie? Particularly in the current circs when the police know fans will gather. Doubt it will happen either way.

 

Also strictly speaking they are allowed to play and train together but can’t socialise together as I understand it

[1971fozzy]

1 hour ago, Locky said:

I wish I could share the same excitement as a lot of you guys, but I just can't get up for this. It's just not a Scottish Cup final.

 

Will be great for the club and team if we win it, but it's hard to look forward to it. Nae fans, nae street party, nae open top bus. That's what a Hearts cup win is all about isn't it?

Its a win win for me.  If we lose it’s just a sham anyway. If we win it’s not and glorious.

 

[1971fozzy]

1 hour ago, indianajones said:

I am not confident. 

Its going to be a mammoth task to beat them no matter what folk think. It’s doable of course but will require us having the perfect game plan, all players playing at the top of their game and them having a bit of an off day.

get into that smelly filth hearts 

[Uncle Buck]

Oh it’s going to be so sweet. 🍾 

[ri Alban]

3 hours ago, Locky said:

I wish I could share the same excitement as a lot of you guys, but I just can't get up for this. It's just not a Scottish Cup final.

 

Will be great for the club and team if we win it, but it's hard to look forward to it. Nae fans, nae street party, nae open top bus. That's what a Hearts cup win is all about isn't it?

We can dae aw that in May, when we win it again. 

 

[ri Alban]

2 hours ago, martoon said:

 

The three Cup wins I've witnessed were all different. Cup4 will be different, too. 

 

Find a way to celebrate, Locky; it's happening. 

 

It will probably come naturally when it's done and dusted. 😊👍

I can celebrate in the hoose, nae bother.  

 

This is happening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ri Alban]

9 hours ago, frankblack said:

I said on the Robbie Neilson thread, but anyone who thinks we are anything other than massive underdogs for this game is kidding themselves.  Our record against them is pretty dire.

 

We need Celtic to have an off day and for us to hit top form, and I mean be better than in any game we have played so far this season - solid at the back, and clinical up front.

I think our lack of form has been due to the final. Now it's here, Hearts will pump this mob. Nae probs. 

[brux]

16 hours ago, Bunny Munro said:

Gordon

Smith Halkett Berra Kingsley

Haring

Lee Haliday 

Naismith  Walker

Boyce

If we play this team we will lose by 2 goals at least

[oxfordman]

Its my birthday on the 21st (I'll be the ripe old age of 61), and a victory on Sunday would be the perfect present, so c'mon Hearts, please, do the business...

[Bootzilla]

3 hours ago, brux said:

If we play this team we will lose by 2 goals at least

Possibly, I would hope Irvine starts. Looking at last year - we had Zlamal in goal, MacLean as our lone striker for the majority of the game, and were without Naismith. Mulraney played the full game - Ginnelly could make an impact this time. We need to be in the game going into the final quarter and then go for it.

[3fingersreid]

‘Mon the Heart of Midlothian , nothing to fear , everything to gain , give it your best and hopefully we’ll bring the cup back 🏆🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻🇱🇻

Edited December 14, 2020 by 3fingersreid

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

Our centre back pairing scares the shite out of me, to the point that I would play Haring there instead of Berra

[martoon]

6 hours ago, ri Alban said:

I can celebrate in the hoose, nae bother.  

 

This is happening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

👍🍺

 

I'd had a few when I posted but feel exactly the same this morning. 

 

It's happening. 💗🏆

[Koolkeith]

7 minutes ago, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

Our centre back pairing scares the shite out of me, to the point that I would play Haring there instead of Berra

Yeah. I’d like to see him in there.

[The Gorgie]

Getting more nervous by the day.

[Jamhammer]

Zero nerves about this game.

Only the most optimistic amongst us thinks we have a chance.

Last time I was this relaxed was Rangers 98 when I thought we were NEVER going to win a trophy.

We CAN do it!

[His name is]

First goal will be a huge factor. 

 

If we can get it , we could go on to win.

 

[Raymond Reddington]

Will the players be wearing 26 on their shorts as a tribute to Marius? I know celtic did it the year before for Billy McNeill

 

Have not seen conformation of this.

[rmreido]

As long as we have no dodgey decisions against us, like last seasons cup final "penalty", then we've a great chance. 🤞

HHGH 🏆

[Alec Eiffel]

59 minutes ago, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

Our centre back pairing scares the shite out of me, to the point that I would play Haring there instead of Berra

 

It's his partner that worries me more.  Look at the QotS goal; sure Berra let his man go but the free-kick came from Halkett playing silly bugger.  If we give Celtic a free-kick in a similar position outside of the box it will not be a speculative lob into the box.

[goldie83]

1 hour ago, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

Our centre back pairing scares the shite out of me, to the point that I would play Haring there instead of Berra

This. 

[milky_26]

1 hour ago, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

Our centre back pairing scares the shite out of me, to the point that I would play Haring there instead of Berra

I think Smith and haring are our strongest CH pairing sadly they are needed in other positions

[wavydavy]

1 hour ago, Geoff Kilpatrick said:

Our centre back pairing scares the shite out of me, to the point that I would play Haring there instead of Berra

 

Me to especially when you look at the giants Celtic have at the back.

 

We will struggle at set peices with Ajer, Duffy and Julien all at least 6'3".

 

I have a feeling that Robbie might opt for a back three with either Smith or Haring beside Halkett and Berra.

[PauloSergio]

We need Smith to start as the right back, no chance Brandon could defend Elyounoussi

[DETTY29]

7 hours ago, ri Alban said:

I can celebrate in the hoose, nae bother.  

 

This is happening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my mates (sorry if you are looking in) said he was going to Tynie because 'you just can't not go, especially due to how we are treated and who we play'

 

Announced Saturday on our Zoom 'What was I thinking?  Going to my mum's house for the first time in months, who is in her late 70s, for Christmas Day.   It's only 4 or 5 days after what likely would be a 'mini Covid super spreader risk' event, especially with booze too.'

 

My old boy is 82.  Imagine he was offered 1st jag before Xmas, I turn up at Tynie, and in peak infection timescales, went to his, before his 2nd one. (Ok, looks like highly unlikely he will get this side of Xmas)

 

Added on top of that I'm a critic of 'significant' gatherings just now and what is going on at Celtic Park with their demostrations.  Anything at Tynecastle with likliehood of booze, hugging, masks off and being lost, imo is a bigger risk.

 

[Rudy T]

22 minutes ago, milky_26 said:

I think Smith and haring are our strongest CH pairing sadly they are needed in other positions

 

I also think they're our best defensive midfield pairing. 

[DH1986]

This will never happen but I think we’d be tough to beat with.......

 

Gordon

 

Smith

 

Halkett

Berra

Kingsley 

 

Halliday

 

Lee

Haring

Irving

 

Naismith

Boyce

 

A sort of 3-5-2 and 5-3-2 when required. Admittedly there is no real natural width but on their day Irving and Lee can pick a pass better than anyone else we have. Halliday and Smith would need to work likes dogs though.

 

 

[Perrykitch]

Starting to agree with playing Haring instead of Berra at CB. Play Halliday and Irving in front. CB the one place in the team where we are very suspect. But Haring in there changes that. Not sure if Neilson will do that but it must be considered especially when we can use Halliday at DM who has been playing really well and has big game experience

[Perrykitch]

                         Gordon
 

smith.       Halkett.    Haring.     Kingsley 

 

                  Halliday.    Irving 

 

Walker.              Naisy.            Ginnelly

 

                          Boycie 

[Diego10]

There's zero chance Haring plays CH.  Personally I'd still prefer Popescu to Berra even with the risk of him playing a daft pass, because he's far more mobile, but it is going to be Berra and we'll have to hope he can get by on experience.

[Armageddon]

20 hours ago, Hector Riva said:

Will there be crowd noise on Sunday? Who decides? 🤔 

 

The Green Brigade are in the recording studio now as we type.

[D4nny_]

I've said this for ages that Celtic are a team that can't handle pressure. They're comfortable when they are in control of the game but as soon as pressure is applied to them, they almost become clueless. The 4-0 game was a perfect example of this. 

 

Get right in their faces from the start and I think we'll do just fine  

[upgotheheads]

Team selection for this game is a real dilemma. Do we try to go toe to toe with Celtic from the kick off, or do we try to ensure we're still in the game with 20 minutes to go, with players like Ginnelly  fresh off the bench and Irving providing? 

My own feeling is that Haring and Irving should start, with Ginnelly coming on for the last 30.  Berra should keep his place. Halliday is  better off the bench when we need to either defend a lead late in the game or even crowd the midfield if we're going for a winner. 

Smith and Kingsley are good enough to provide Celtic with plenty to think about down the flanks.  3-5-2 might be the best formation to start with so  maybe Popescu will start.

 

Good problems to have though, also we have nothing to lose, were 11/1after all,

[Ominous]

17 minutes ago, upgotheheads said:

Team selection for this game is a real dilemma. Do we try to go toe to toe with Celtic from the kick off, or do we try to ensure we're still in the game with 20 minutes to go, with players like Ginnelly  fresh off the bench and Irving providing? 

My own feeling is that Haring and Irving should start, with Ginnelly coming on for the last 30.  Berra should keep his place. Halliday is  better off the bench when we need to either defend a lead late in the game or even crowd the midfield if we're going for a winner. 

Smith and Kingsley are good enough to provide Celtic with plenty to think about down the flanks.  3-5-2 might be the best formation to start with so  maybe Popescu will start.

 

Good problems to have though, also we have nothing to lose, were 11/1after all,

I agree Halliday should be benched. There is no doubt he would play ok and would give 100% but I can't help but feel he is a big risk of a red card especially if brown is playing.

[bigsuperslim1874]

I’ve had (and still have) doubts regarding Berra’s ability however if there was just one more game he could somehow summon up a bit of pre-injury form this is it. I know he was an unused sub in 2006 but you can bet he will run through walls to win on Sunday. Fingers crossed he has a great performance.

[Paddy Crossan]

Put £30 on Hearts, 90 minutes at 11/1 and £30 to get trophy at 11/2, pretty good odds I think.