Kingsley looking to turn a surprise into a cup shock
Stephen Kingsley has had plenty of other things to occupy his thoughts. The 26- yearold became a father for the first time amidst the stresses of lockdown, whilst recovering from a serious hip injury and contemplating his next career move.
But the defender has revealed the fact a Scottish Cup semi- final against bitter rivals Hibs was on the horizon came as a “nice wee surprise” when he signed for Hearts.
Now the mouthwatering match is next up for the Jambos, Kingsley is convinced the Championship outfit can spring a shock on their Premiership foes.
“It was after I signed that I found out they were playing Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final,” he said. “I thought, ‘Oh, that’s a nice little bonus in the first few weeks of being here’.
“It was a nice wee surprise – and I’ve been looking forward to it since I found out.
“I’ ve watched the Hibs games that have been on telly, so I know their obvious threats, but we’ll have a look at them in more detail over the week. We’ll be well prepared for it.”
Kingsley started his third game for Hearts in Friday’s battling 1- 0 victory over Arbroath at Gayfield. The compact Angus ground should have been a world away from a national stadium that would usually have been alive with an electric atmosphere next Saturday but will instead be eerily quiet without supporters.
However, Kingsley expects the on- field rivalries will still be present and correct.
“Yes, there’ s no fans and it would be absolutely amazing to have the fans,” admitted the Scotland cap. “It will be my first Edinburgh derby and I would have absolutely loved that.
“But I don’t think it will be hard to get ourselves up and ready for it, to be honest.
“The occasion will definitely come to us when we’re doing our analysis and everything. I think the boys will be ready for it.”
Kingsley will be playing at Hampden for the first time in seven years. He hopes this time it will be memorable for all the right reasons after a painful 4- 3 loss after extra-time in 2013.
“My previous experience of Hampden, funnily enough, was a Scottish Cup semi- final against Hibs when I was at Falkirk,” explained the former Swansea and Hull City full-back. “That was my last game at Hampden, my last game against Hibs, and it was a semi-final as well.
“It was the game when we were 3- 0 up at halftime – and I’m not going to talk about the rest! I’m just looking forward to getting back there and, hopefully, this time, putting that right.”