Jamie McCart reveals Hearts' non-negotiable issue against Hibs for Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden

Jamie McCart is unequivocal on Hearts’ defensive priorities against Hibs at Hampden Park. The Premier Sports Cup semi-final is poised to be an open affair between two teams with managers who like the aggressive, attacking approach. McCart is one of Wouter Vrancken’s reliable lieutenants and is clear on what is required from both himself and his colleagues in the all-Edinburgh tie.

While forward-thinking colleagues like Josh McPake, Calvin Miller and Claudio Braga are busy at the other end of the pitch, the Hearts defenders need impregnable concentration. Marink Reedijk’s Hibs gameplan centres around a high press so McCart and the rest of the back line will find themselves under pressure at times. The 29-year-old is demanding focus and complete attention to plug any gaps.

“Yeah, definitely, and I think in modern football that seems to be the way a lot of the top teams are playing,” he said. “It's that high press and aggressive football, so there is a lot of responsibility on us at the back, not just to defend but also to help organise. The manager is big on that. When we have the ball, it’s important players are in the right positions, not just to receive the ball but also defensively. I think that's something we're working really hard on and the manager is drilling it into us.

“With this way of playing, it's very rare you're not occupied or you're not switched on. I think the manager puts a big onus on us in and out of possession. I think we've seen that in the games so far: when we get it right, it's really good for us, so we just need to be more consistent with that.”

Hibs forwards like Martin Boyle and Owen Elding possess the required pace and ability to exploit any lapses in the Hearts defence. The Hampden pitch is known for its size and space, so McCart and his colleagues won’t be given much time to relax. Last month’s 3-1 victory for the Tynecastle side at Easter Road demonstrated the damage players like McPake and others can cause in an attacking sense. Hampden, though, is a different environment.

McCart is fully aware of the opposition’s threat. “Yeah, definitely. It's going to be a really tough game and I think we've shown that at Easter Road. We've got to show both sides of it and be good in possession but also out of possession. Hibs are a really good team, they've got a lot of strong individuals, so we'll need to be at our best all over the pitch.”

The centre-back has played in 20 of Hearts’ 21 competitive games this term and worn the captain’s armband in several of them. Alongside new recruit Malachi Fagan-Walcott, he is determined to show leadership. “It's something I'd always take responsibility for, as someone to communicate and try and organise,” said McCart. “I think you see throughout the team we've got leaders. Some boys who aren't playing just now are big misses like Halks [Craig Halkett] and Spits [Blair Spittal]. I just try to play the game the same way as always and if I can help other boys, I'm happy to do that.”

• Jamie McCart was promoting Hearts v Hibernian live on Sunday on Premier Sports from 2pm. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin, STV Player and Amazon Prime as an add on subscription.