Scottish Daily Mail

GARUCCIO RELISHING FIRST TASTE OF CUP ACTION

- JOHN GREECHAN

BOYS will go a long, long way to impress the right girl. But halfway around the world? That’ll get you noticed, at least. Ben Garuccio, originally of Adelaide but now living right in the heart of Edinburgh, laughed when asked yesterday if he had grown up with any knowledge of the Scottish Cup. ‘I actually dated a Scottish girl when I was about 13,’ recalled the Hearts defender ahead of tomorrow’s fourthroun­d clash with Livingston at Tynecastle. ‘She was from Glasgow and her family were Celtic fans. I look back now and think that’s pretty crazy. I used to watch the Old Firm with them. They had all their Scottish family over for it and they were going at it — now I’m here playing for Hearts. ‘It’s a little bit ironic but it’s good to be able to play against those teams now. And beat Celtic!’ Garuccio was part of the Hearts side hammered 5-0 by Livvy last month. Naturally, it is still on his mind as the rematch looms. ‘We haven’t really spoken about the desire for payback but, as a footballer, you remember those results,’ said the 23-year-old Aussie. ‘It was embarrassi­ng for us, we want to put things right. ‘Football can change so quickly. We lost 5-0 that night, then two weeks later we beat Hibs at Easter Road in the derby. It almost seems like it never happened. ‘The winter break maybe came at the wrong time. You feel king of the world after a result like that. ‘I live right in the city centre, so people would stop me and say well done and, after a big win like that, it’s nice. ‘When you’re on the other end of it, you just want to stay in the house. But it’s nice to be able to pop your head out and know you’ve done your team proud — and the fans are proud to say you’re a Hearts player.’ Hearts defender John Souttar is back in full training and could make a first appearance since October, while new centre-forward David Vanacek is likely to be handed a start. Michael Smith, meanwhile, has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the club until May 2021.

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