Hibernian's Ivan Sproule is looking forward to an Edinburgh derby at Hampden after Hearts joined their city rivals in the Scottish Cup final.
McPake calls for league focus
Hibernian's Ivan Sproule is looking forward to an Edinburgh derby at Hampden after Hearts joined their city rivals in the Scottish Cup final.
Hibs beat Aberdeen 2-1 on Saturday to secure their place in the showpiece before Hearts' last-gasp win over Celtic by the same scoreline 24 hours later ensured it would be an all-Edinburgh affair at Hampden Park on May 19.
And winger Sproule admits it has guaranteed it will be a huge occasion for the entire city.
Sproule told the
Edinburgh Evening News: "We honestly didn't mind who we got in the final because the biggest thing for us was that we just made it through.
"But obviously it is now going to be a massive occasion for the whole of Edinburgh now that it is a Hibs v Hearts final, you can't deny that.
"It's going to be so special for the city, for the fans, for the players and management teams involved, for absolutely everyone with a connection to either team.
"I don't think there will be anyone left in Edinburgh that day and I think that it will probably be something that the supporters talk about for the next month and enjoy the build-up to it.
"There will be a lot of hype surrounding the game and for the fans there will be elation on one side and disappointment on the other.
"I'm sure that Hearts will be just as determined as us to get their hands on the trophy so it is going to make for one cracking cup final."
Potential
James McPake, who captained Hibs on Saturday, admitted the occasion had given him an insight into the potential of the club.
The on-loan Coventry defender told Hibernian's official website: "What I will remember most of all from Saturday will probably be the fans at the end - they made 90 minutes of hard graft worth it.
"Saturday showed me just how big a club Hibernian actually are and you could see the passion of the fans and what it means to people."
Hibs first have their Scottish Premier League status to preserve before facing Hearts and McPake is determined not to let thoughts of the final derail their recent improvement.
"Now we've got to switch our attentions back to SPL duties and get the team up the table - that's our main focus," McPake added.
"Our focus has got to change quickly and the most important game of my career will now be Sunday's match against Kilmarnock.
"We're still in a dangerous situation with Dunfermline breathing down our necks, so now we're back to SPL duties and that is all we're concerned with."
