GOLD FINGERS
The name’s Craig ... Craig Gordon. Goalie saves day for Jambos
Liam Boyce’s Thunderball from the spot won it for Hearts.
But on the day of Sean Connery’s death they had Goldfingers to thank for booking their Scottish Cup Final berth.
It took 120 minutes to decide this Edinburgh derby, the city where our original 007 was born.
The Jambos prevailed over Hibs at Hampden thanks to Craig Wighton’s opener and Boyce’s extra-time penalty.
But the real hero for Robbie Neilson’s team was veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
The Scotland stopper rolled back the years with a string of wonder saves, with stops to deny strikers Kevin Nisbet and Christian Doidge right out of the top drawer.
Gordon was outstanding for the Championship side who will take on either Celtic or Aberdeen in the final on December 20.
Hibs responded with a Doidge header to make it 1-1 at full-time – then missed a spot-kick of their own when Nisbet hit the bar from 12 yards.
And they were made to pay when Boyce fired home the winner late on.
The teams emerged to the James Bond theme music and early on you wouldn’t have known it wasn’t an all-Premiership clash.
In fact Hearts were the side on the front foot, trying to press their opponents high up the pitch.
Neilson’s men got after them, with Wighton and Jordan Roberts pushing on to Hibs’ full-backs and Jamie Walker
AET, 90MINS: 1-1
trying to get close to striker Boyce. They also weren’t afraid to have a pop at goal.
Ofir Marciano had to smother shots from Walker and Roberts early doors then Olly Lee flashed an effort wide.
But with the pace of Martin Boyle in behind, the guile of Joe Newell in midf ield – as well as that twin strikeforce – Jack Ross’ side were always going to pose a threat.
And it was the Premiership outfit who carved out the two best chances of the half.
After some Nisbet and Doidge interplay on the edge of the box the ball found its way to Kyle Magennis unmarked at the back post. The wideman appeared to have the goal at his mercy – but his sidefoot attempt was blocked by the back- tracking Michael Smith.
It was a warning for Hearts after their bright start.
And on the half hour they needed their keeper to prevent them from going behind.
Hibs worked a bit of space on the right flank and Boyle threw over a delicious cross that was begging to be put in.
Nisbet got in between the Hibs centre-backs six yards out and must have thought he’d scored when he met it flush on the forehead.
But somehow Gordon kept it out with a stunning pointblank save that left the striker in a state of disbelief.
This was Gordon at his very best. It again begged the question as to why Celtic allowed him to leave Parkhead in the summer. And if Scotland
manager Steve Clarke was watching, surely there will be an international return for Gordon ahead of the crunch Euro 2020 play-off against Serbia in a couple of weeks.
Suddenly it felt like Hibs had taken a grip of the game.
And that pattern continued after the break. The Leith side had all the pressure without seriously testing Gordon again.
There was a period when they had Hearts pegged back into their own box but they had to take advantage.
When they didn’t, and Neilson introduced skipper Steven Naismith and Peter Haring from the bench, the tide turned.
Hearts got out and looked dangerous again. Whether it was Naismith barking orders at team- mates or Haring’s composure in the middle of the pitch, the changes worked.
And on the hour they got their noses in front through Wighton. The alterations involved Lee being switched to the right f lank and Wighton playing off Boyce.
It paid off immediately when the Englishman whipped over a terrific cross and the frontman sent his header back across goal, past Marciano into the corner.
Ross needed a response from his players – and to be fair to them he didn’t have to wait long.
Just seven minutes after the Jambos’ opener Hibs were level.
Newell, who was excellent all game, curled in a free-kick and Doidge got above Craig Halkett in the box to direct a brilliant header inside the far post.
This time even Gordon was helpless as Ross celebrated his side drawing level in a pulsating tie.
With the horrendous conditions and heavy pitch it was now anyone’s game and for a spell it went end to end, like a game of basketball. Wighton missed another glorious chance for a second.
Then Hibs should have done better with a three v two counter-attack.
Seconds later Naismith picked out Boyce with a killer pass but it was squandered by the Northern Irishman whose shot crept inches wide.
At the death Hibs were screaming g for a penalty whenn Doidge went down in the box but referee Willie Collum rejectedjected their appeals – then it was the drama of extra time. me.
Hearts edged it on territory and possession but it was Hibs who almostt won the showdown.
Alex Gogic hitt a volley that forced ed that man Gordon to touch it on the post st – then he pulled off ff another cracking g stop to deny Newel l. The Hibs midfielder was hugely influential and when he was fouled by Mihai Popescu to earn his side a spot-kick it was Hibs’ golden chance.
Maybe Newell should have hit it as top scorer Nisbet crashed his penalty against the junction of post and bar to keepp Hearts in the tie.
And in 110 minutesminute the tables turned when CollumCollu gave the Jambos a penalty of their own. Sub Aidy White wawas pushed over by Paul McGinn anand their main marksman Boyce buriedbu it.
Hibs prepressed for a leveller aand Doidge’s incr edible overhead over k ick almost almo made it 2-2 – beforebe Gordon (le f t) f lew through th the air to t keep it out.