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* Hibs losing run in Scottish Cup extends to 110 years
* Two early second half goals put game out of Hibs reach
* Skacel scores double in possibly last game for club
By David Sheppard
GLASGOW, May 19 (Reuters) – Rudi Skacel scored twice as
Hearts beat their Edinburgh rivals Hibernian 5-1 to lift the
Scottish Cup on Saturday, extending Hibernian’s losing run in
the competition to 110 years.
In the first final between the two sides since 1896,
favourites Hearts dominated the match to walk away with the
honours, sealing the game with two early second-half goals that
extended their unbeaten derby run against Hibs to 11 matches.
After Darren Barr and Skacel put Hearts 2-0 up in the first
30 minutes, Hibs captain James McPake gave the green side of
Edinburgh hope with a dramatic clearance off the line after 35
minutes, followed by a goal at the other end five minutes later.
Within one minute of the restart, Hibs were down to 10 men
and Hearts were awarded a penalty, after Gambian Pa Kujabi
committed a second bookable offence against Hearts’ Spanish
winger Suso Santana.
Three minutes after Hearts’ Danny Grainger had slammed in
the penalty, Australian Ryan McGowan put the game well out of
Hibernian’s reach, assisting former Czech Republic international
Skacel’s shot over the line with a diving header.
McGowan’s assist would ultimately cost Skacel a hat-trick,
in what might be his last game for Hearts.
He added to his first half strike after 76 minutes to put
Hearts 5-1 up, sending Hibs fans streaming out the ground for
the 40-mile journey back to Edinburgh.
In the final minutes of the game, Hearts manager Paulo
Sergio substituted central midfielder Ian Black, who left the
field to a standing ovation in his last game for the club.
The afternoon ended for Hibs manager Pat Fenlon with him
being sent to the stands after an argument with the assistant
referee. Fenlon said that he felt “physically sick” and
“desperately disappointed”.
“I can’t explain how I feel. We kept giving the ball away
cheaply. If we had shown a bit more passion we might not be in
the position we were in,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hearts manager Paolo Sergio admitted he was
unsure about his future at the club. “I don’t know if this will
be my last game or not.
“(Winning the cup) is my biggest achievement as a manager,”
he added, saying he was yet to speak with the Hearts’ owner
regarding next season.
(Editing by Matt Barker)
