This time it will feel more like a proper Hampden showpiece for Jambo Boyce
Hearts striker Liam Boyce believes victory over Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday would be the perfect finale to a dream season for the Tynecastle club.
And he has urged his team-mates not to get caught up in the moment when they take to the field at Hampden Park against the Europa League finalists.
Boyce endeared himself to Jambos fans when he scored the winning goals against the Gers on his debut in January 2020, and he would dearly love to repeat the feat next weekend.
Although his appearances this season have been hampered by a calf injury, Boyce has scored 16 goals so far this term, and poses a threat, either leading the line or in a more withdrawn position.
He was forced off injured in yesterday’s dress rehearsal against the Light Blues, but Robbie Neilson is hopeful he’ll be fit for Saturday.
The Northern Ireland striker has previous big-game experience, having scored for Hearts against Celtic in the 2020 Scottish Cup Final, only to end up with a loser’s medal after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Because of Coronavirus lockdown regulations, that Final was delayed until December, and was played inside a nearempty stadium.
By contrast, the National Stadium will be rocking on Saturday, and the 31-year-old goalgetter believes whoever handles the pressure will have an advantage in the showpiece.
“It has been a great season for us so far, and we would love to top it off with a Cup Final win,” said Boyce.
“That would be a dream finish to the season.
“The key is to not
get overawed by the occasion. Anyone can win.
“We were 2-0 up against Hibs in the semi-final, and they threw everything at us. You have to be ready for anything and everything.
“I won the League Cup with Ross County in 2016, and that was class.
“We weren’t expected to beat Celtic in the semi-final, and Hibs in the Final. But in a one-off situation, anything can happen.
“We played Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final in 2020 but that was a weird one, what with it being played near Christmas, and with no fans.
“This time it’s going to be massive, with 50,000 fans inside, and all the buzz leading up to it.
“But big crowds don’t bother me at all. I learned how to
deal with them when I was in Germany with Werder Bremen.
“Obviously Rangers have the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night, and we don’t know how that will impact on the Scottish Cup Final, if at all.
“But we can only focus on ourselves.
“No one expected us to have the season we have had.
“We wanted to have a good season after coming up from the Championship last year, but we couldn’t have dreamed of the campaign going as well as it has.
“We could have been closer to the Old Firm in the league, and that is something for us to aim for next season.
“But we have to be happy with a thirdplace finish, and getting to the Final.”