Anthony Brown: Edinburgh, we’re nearly there ,,,

We’re nearly there. It hardly seems four weeks ago that this column was wittering on about an imaginary countdown clock showing 32 days to go till arguably the biggest match in the entire history of Edinburgh football.

Now it’s only 90-odd hours away. Everyone’s on tenterhooks. The anxiety levels have risen. Idyllic dreams of a sun-kissed Saturday evening in either Leith or Gorgie (depending on persuasion, of course) to welcome back the conquering heroes of Hibs or Hearts are increasingly sullied by fear.

The fear that instead of being part of the mother of all parties, they’ll be stuck in the house with the curtains drawn trying to find solace in watching the Champions League final. The perfect scenario for many Jambos and Hibbies would involve something along the lines of waking up on Sunday in the centre circle of Tynecastle or Easter Road with a stonking hangover and hazy memories of the previous day being the best of their lives, and no knowledge whatsoever of how Chelsea got on against Bayern Munich. Such trivial matters can wait till the Monday papers are picked up and the winning group of fans begin what will be an incredible period of reflection.

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In what promises to be one of the most intoxicating weekends in the history of Edinburgh booze consumption, those fortunate souls in relative control of their emotions will partake of liquid refreshment to add to the enjoyment of the occasion, while the pessimistic majority will use it as a coping mechanism to help them survive.

All logic says Hearts fans needn’t fret so much. After all, it’s a Scottish Cup final against a team who have a century-long aversion to the old trophy. And it’s an Edinburgh derby against a team who’ve barely laid a glove on them in the last ten Capital collisions. If it was that straightforward, though, no Hibs fans would risk travelling alongside their boastful maroon foes en route to Glasgow’s south side. Of course, if Hearts turn up and the key triumvirate of Ian Black, Craig Beattie and Rudi Skacel are on their game, then it’s hard to see Hibs being able to live with them. However, the Easter Road men need only look to Hearts’ last appearance in a Scottish Cup final, when Gretna – then of the Second Division – took them to penalties, to see that Saturday’s mission is by no means a forlorn hope.

Both sides proved they’ve got bottle in their semi-finals, with Hearts particularly renowned for stepping up to the mark for big games, as evidenced by a fine record against the Old Firm in recent seasons. But this is an entirely different type of pressure they’ll have to shoulder. The Hearts players know they’ll never be allowed to forget it if they are part of the side that lets Hibs end their 110-year Scottish Cup itch.

If an early goal isn’t forthcoming, Hearts will surely get edgy and Hibs, always a threat with Garry O’Connor and Leigh Griffths, will begin to really believe. While the excitement surrounding the game may have built it up as a potential cracker, anyone familiar with the Edinburgh derby will know it could just as easily be a 0-0 slugfest. That would play into Hibs’ hands as they could go the distance safe in the knowledge that they’ve never lost on penalties to Scottish opposition.

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Hearts, by contrast, will be hoping they can blow their rivals out the water, as they did in the 2006 semi-final. Logic would suggest something similar will happen on Saturday. But this is an all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final we’re talking about . . .

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