Neilson: Cup Final is a whole new ball game for Hearts
Robbie Neilson is adamant that Hearts’ humbling to a young Rangers team will have no bearing on next Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final against the same opponents.
The Ibrox outfit made 10 changes ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League Final against Eintracht Frankfurt and finished the game with six teenagers on the park.
Hearts also made six alterations and welcomed back John Souttar and Craig Halkett from injury in the second half.
The amount of tinkering, allied to the fact that both teams have an eye on the future, ensured this game had a bounce match feel to it.
And Neilson insists he is not concerned by the result as Hearts target glory at Hampden next weekend.
Neilson said: “I don’t think it matters too much. They made 10 changes and we made six.
“So that’s only six players who played in the game who would play next week. It’s about coming back on Monday and getting ourselves on it so we’re ready for Saturday.
“I thought it was one of those games with an endof-season feel about it.
“There was no real intensity to the game, to be honest with you. That was the disappointment for us. Yes, we’re trying to get guys as fit as we can for next week but there are two sides of it.
“There is some is disappointment about the performance but also we kind of expected it a little bit with the rustiness of some of them coming back into the game.
“When you play for Hearts and you’re playing one of the Old Firm at Tynecastle you need to be up for it. There were periods of the game when we weren’t aggressive enough.
“We didn’t get the press on and allowed them to play through.”
Neilson is also keeping his fingers crossed that leading scorer Liam Boyce will be available for the final after being forced off after only 12 minutes yesterday.
He added: “It was just a tight groin. That’s all it is. As soon as there was any issue we just got him off.
“Liam will just be dependent on the next day or two if it is just a tightness. There’s no point in taking any risks. Ellis Simms and Peter Haring just got wee knocks.”
Hearts have a bounce game on Tuesday and will give their defensive pairing of Souttar and Halkett a run out.
Neilson added: “It was great to get them back on. You can see that rustiness there.
“But it was brilliant to have them there and you can see the level coming up when they come on.
“It’s just about that fitness now, and can we get them there for the final?”
■