Solid defence can spark Hearts cup run '“ Stephen Elliott

Stephen Elliott celebrates with goalscorer Marius Zaliukas back in 2012

The Edinburgh club haven’t progressed past the fifth round since beating Hibs 5-1 at Hampden Park that year, but former striker Elliott – who played in the final – says that could change this season.

Hearts face St Johnstone at Tynecastle Park in the fifth round this Saturday, just seven days after beating them 1-0 in the league. Elliott has noted the defensive record of his old team, who recently went eight games without conceding. He feels they are set up to be a strong cup side under manager Craig Levein.

“Hearts have only conceded in two games over the last couple of months,” said the Irishman, now 34 and playing with Morpeth Town in England’s Northern League. “Any team facing Hearts, their manager will look at how they shape up. They will know it’s highly unlikely then can go hell-for-leather and score lots of goals.

Hearts and St Johnstone meet again this weekend

“No matter what team you are, if you have a good base at the back and you know you won’t concede goals, there is always the likelihood you will pop up and score with a set-piece or a bit of magic from somebody. That gives Hearts a big opportunity to go far in the cup this year.

“They are a lot more solid now. After bringing Christophe Berra back in, it’s no coincidence they’ve had so many clean sheets. He is a real leader on the pitch. He was the catalyst to get them over the line in the last round against Hibs. The winning goal came from his header as well.”

Hearts showed plenty doggedness en route to that 2012 triumph over their city rivals. They scraped past junior side Auchinleck Talbot 1-0 to begin their cup campaign at Tynecastle. Then came replay victories over St Johnstone and St Mirren to ensure a semi-final with Celtic, which they won with Craig Beattie’s late penalty.

No matter how you achieve it, Elliott knows progress is all that matters in a cup competition.

“I think the Hearts lads will be confident after beating St Johnstone last weekend. I don’t think Craig Levein will want a replay this time, though. He will want to get it done first time,” said Elliott.

“Celtic have a lot more strength than anybody up there so the other teams always look at the two cup competitions. You speak about it at the start of the season. If you get some form together, you never know. It’s something which can gloss over a poor season.

“There’s nothing better than a day out at Hampden, especially for a club like Hearts. I don’t think anybody will ever forget the cup final in 2012 when we beat Hibs. The Hearts players this weekend will look back on previous cup wins because they are highlights. Players have to use that as motivation to get through these early rounds.

“Beating Hibs in the last round was a big statement. Hibs had knocked Hearts out in the last couple of seasons. Even though I’m not there now, it’s not nice to see Hibs beating them.”

Elliott recalled that St Johnstone replay six years ago as the turning point in a wretched campaign. Financial problems were taking hold at Tynecastle and wages weren’t being paid on time, leaving manager Paulo Sergio fighting to maintain squad morale.

“I think it was written in the stars that year given our off-the-field problems. I don’t think Paulo realised what he’d walked into. It ended up being a great year. I think that St Johnstone tie was the turning point for us.

“I remember they scored late on to go 1-0 up, then Alan Maybury tackled Suso and Suso took a dive. I know Maybs through the Irish set-up and he was ready to kill Suso. I had to pull him away and say: ‘Listen, you’re going to get yourself a ban.’ Suso was known for not needing a second invitation to go down if he felt a bit of a touch.

“So he got us the penalty, Jamie Hamill scored to equalise, and then we got the winner in extra-time.

“I remember in the dressing room after the game. That was the first time we were all thinking our name could be on the cup. St Johnstone had the better of the game but we got over the line.”