Olid will be Eva so glad if ‘real’ Hearts play at Hampden
Hearts manager Eva Olid has insisted her “real” side will be on view at Hampden this afternoon.
The Jambos face Spartans for a place in next month’s Scottish Cup final.
Olid has had to pick her team up after their 5-0 drubbing by Celtic last Sunday but she is confident there will be no hangover at Hampden.
“I didn’t see my team last Sunday,” said the Spaniard. “It was difficult because in the space of one week we faced Hibs with 10 players, then Rangers midweek and then Celtic at Celtic Park.
“We didn’t compete against Celtic but I cannot demand more from the players because they gave everything. “It was a bad day.” She has insisted that, with a full week to prepare mentally and physically, her side can consolidate on what has been an impressive campaign.
“Two years ago we were bottom of the table,” she said. “In three seasons we have put ourselves in a position where we can be in a cup final. It would be amazing to get there.
“It is important for me that the players are mentally ready. If they are we will perform well and we will be a team with a lot of personality.
“Of course, my message this week has been about giving them confidence.
“We already have more points this season than what we had for the whole campaign last term.
“So it has been positive this week because they have already done a lot of things this season they can be confident about.”
Spartans manager Jack Beesley believes his parttime side can an upset.
“We want to enjoy playing here because playing at the national stadium is the pinnacle for any player,” he said.
“But I think they will enjoy it more if they feel as though they have done themselves justice and have given everything they can give.
“That is the first objective – to make sure we come off the pitch with no regrets.
“We believe we can win the game. We are under no illusions that it will be hard but we are looking forward to it.
“We are used to being underdogs. It is the reality of where we are.
“We need to embrace the occasion, the challenge and not just let the day pass us by.
“If we fall short then so be it but we want to go and make sure that we give a really positive account of ourselves.
“We plan on arriving in plenty of time to let them see the stadium, see their families and get used to being here at Hampden.
“But, at the end of the day, it is a pitch with two goals.
“We just need the right mindset and focus on the things we can control.”