Clashes in search of cup

A look back at three Scottish Cup encounters between the pair.

Hearts 3 Celtic 1 (1956)

Hearts’ meeting with Celtic in this year was their first appearance in the final for 49 years. But the Jam Tarts were in the midst of their 20th-Century glory years and won thanks to a double from winger Ian Crawford and a goal from Alfie Conn, one third of their ‘Terrible Trio’ forward line with Willie Bauld and Jimmy Wardhaugh. Tommy Walker’s side won four League Cups from 1954-62 and won the title in 1958 and 1960.

Celtic 2 Hearts 1 (1988)

Hearts’ tag as the nearly men of Scottish football continued with a lastgasp semi-final defeat, two years after being pipped to the title on the final day by Celtic and losing in the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen. Hearts went ahead when Pat Bonner failed to keep out Brian Whittaker’s cross under serious pressure from Dave MacPherson and Celtic were two minutes from losing a 30-game unbeaten run until Mark McGhee netted after Henry Smith fumbled a corner. Billy McNeill’s side pushed for a winner and Andy Walker got it after Smith dropped another cross. They went on to win the double in their centenary year.

Hearts 2 Celtic 1 (2012)

The tables were turned in the 2012 semi-finals when Craig Beattie converted a dubious last-minute penalty to send Hearts into an Edinburgh derby final. Celtic manager Neil Lennon confronted referee Euan Norris on the pitch after the game after his decision to award a handball had allowed Beattie to knock out his former club. Celtic striker Gary Hooper’s header had cancelled out Rudi Skacel’s opener four minutes earlier.