Ex-Hearts star Paul Hartley reacts to potential abuse from Hibs support ahead of cup tie

Former Hearts favourite Paul Hartley expects a certain amount of abuse from the stands when his Cove Rangers side visit Hibs this evening.

But the ex-Scotland international, who also had an unsuccessful spell at Easter Road earlier in this career, insists it won't faze him at all as he tries to mastermind a Scottish Cup upset.

Hartley hopes to see Shaun Maloney, an old team-mate from his Celtic days, succeed as the new Hibs head coach, but only after he's survived through the ignominy of a shock cup exit.

"Do I expect to get stick? One hundred per cent," Hartley told the Scottish Sun. "Does it bother me? Not in the slightest!

Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley is a Tynecastle hero and also used to play for Hibs. Picture: SNS

"It's always good going up against boys you played with. So many of my team-mates have moved into coaching and I like to see them doing well.

"I'm sure Shaun will do a good job at Hibs, but the fact he's a former team-mate won't stop me wanting to get a result.

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