Hearts game plan for Hibs at Hampden as Jambos to take imposing approach in Premier Sports Cup grudge match
A Hearts ace has been looking ahead to Sunday’s huge clash at Hampden.
Josh McPake insists Hearts will go to Hampden looking to impose themselves on Edinburgh rivals Hibs - as he seeks silverware.
The winger impressed against former side Rangers on Wednesday during a 2-2 Premiership draw at Tynecastle, coming prior to Sunday’s Edinburgh derby, the second of this season’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final matches. McPake netted the winner in September’s 3-1 win for Hearts over Hibs in Leith and a repeat result this time around with stakes raised may prove even sweeter.
Whoever emerges victorious from Sunday’s clash will face Rangers or Aberdeen in the final and McPake would love a crack at cup glory. While he doesn’t know the ins and outs of boss Wouter Vrancken’s plan, the Scotland international is confident Hearts will aim to establish themselves as this derby’s dominant side, then seeing if that’s enough to claim bragging rights.
How will Hearts approach Hibs match at Hampden?
On where a cup win would rank in his career, McPake said: “It would be up there, yeah. I think making my Scotland debut was certainly the top, but no, that would be something that would be amazing for myself, especially, like you said, the journey I've been on, and I don't hide away from that journey. I think it's made me how I got here today. That would be brilliant as well.
“I think the approach Sunday, I've not worked with the manager on Sunday yet, so I'm not sure how he'll work it, but I think it's just like any other game for us. We impose ourselves, try and do what we're good at, and we'll see how it goes.
“I think, obviously, last time was a good performance from the team as well. I played well and all the lads play well. I think when we all play well, the individuals show. It's more of a team thing, making sure we do well as a team, making sure we do well as a unit. The gaffer would say the individuals can shine. But we just want to take it one game at a time.”
McPake’s route to Hearts is well-documented. Released by Rangers and dropping into the lower leagues at Stirling Albion, a rehabilitation in the Championship at St Johnstone earned him his Hearts chance, form in maroon earning him a Scotland debut during Sebastien Pocognoli’s first camp as head coach. Days like the one he’s about to have at Hampden are cherished but McPake hasn’t lost any of his desire for success.
Josh McPake on journey to Hearts
He added: “I think I've got a lot of hunger still in me. I know I've come a long way in quite a short space of time, but I'm very, very hungry for more. I want to do well, I want to keep doing well and keep doing the things that got me to this moment, and I'll continue to do that.
“I always had that belief that I would get back, and I kept that throughout the setbacks, like you said, that were coming my way. Listen, I'm just happy I'm here now, and I feel like I've got more to give as well.”