Hearts manager Daniel Stendel aiming for first cup semi-final of his career against Rangers

German has never reached last four of a senior tournament

Daniel Stendel is pointing Hearts towards the Scottish Cup semi-finals

The Hearts manager Daniel Stendel today revealed he wants to beat Rangers for two reasons: To reach the first national cup semi-final of his entire football career, and to repay supporters for their unstinting backing.

Stendel won the Under-19 cup with Hannover’s youth side in Germany, a team which included recent Hearts signing Marcel Langer. However, he admitted he has never sampled the last four of a major competition as a player or coach.

Rangers visit Tynecastle Park this evening in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals as Hearts focus on matters away from their league toils. Fans have continued to back the Edinburgh club in numbers despite them sitting bottom of the Premiership, and the faith is not lost on Stendel.

“With the youth team I won the cup in Germany but, as a player and manager, I was never in a semi-final. This is a big chance for me to go to a semi-final for the first time,” he told the Evening News.

“We have had support in the last games in difficult situations. I know this is not easy and it is not normal. Today is a chance to say: ‘Yes, we understand this is not normal, we need you and we will give our all for this club.’”

Striker Liam Boyce is fit for the hosts following illness and is likely to be involved. He scored the winning goal when Hearts beat Rangers 2-1 at the same venue in the league last month.

“We want to use those memories in this game,” said Stendel. “On the other side, it is difficult to leave everything else on the outside – the situation in the league, the results and everything.

“This is not the league, this is the cup and if we win we go into the next round and maybe to Hampden Park. We need to use this for us. It is also important for this club and the supporters that we play a good game.”