THAT WAS FOR YOU MARIUS
Robbie hails tragic ex-skipper
Robbie Neilson last night dedicated Hearts’ Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Hibs to ex-Tynecastle skipper Marius Zaliukas.
And the Jambos gaffer now wants his players to go and lift the trophy on December 20 for the Lithuanian, who died yesterday at 36. Neilson (right) played with Zaliukas at Tynecastle and was left stunned by the news which broke shortly before his team’s 2-1 extra-time derby victory.
The Hearts boss was
left devastated and said the win was a fitting tribute to the defender, who won the 2012 Scottish Cup with a 5-1 triumph over their Edinburgh rivals.
After the game at Hampden, won in extratime by Liam Boyce’s penalty, Neilson said: “Firstly, it’s absolutely devastating for everyone at the club.
“I only found out a minute or two before the start of the game.
“I didn’t speak to the players about it, only after the game.
“I knew Marius very well, he was here as a player with me.
“I knew him for a number of years. It’s devastating for everyone at the club as he is synonymous with the 5-1.
“Hopefully it’s fitting today was another game against Hibs and a victory at Hampden. He is in all of our thoughts.
“Yes, we’re celebrating and we’re happy about getting the result but we are also feeling it for Marius’ family because he was a top guy. I had a great relationship with him.
“We want to win it (the cup) for him, 100 percent. I would take another 5-1 win, whoever we play against, that would be great.”
Neilson was full of praise for his side, who led through
Craig Wighton before Christian Doidge took it to extra-time.
But he says the club’s motivation after being unfairly relegated from the Premiership played a big part in their win.
“It’s a motivation we use every day and before every game,” he said.
“Doubly so today as it’s the Scottish Cup, it’s Hibs and it’s a massive game for everyone.
“We knew that the club has been kicked left, right and centre for the past year and this was an opportunity for us to drop some kicking.
“We managed to do that today and get a great result against our main rivals, a team that is in the top flight, and get to the Scottish Cup Final.
“It gives our fans, all the staff at the club a lift which we needed.
“I thought it was two good teams playing against each other. I felt we would negate each other, it was good that we held our nerve at the end.”