Jankauskas backs Hearts to see off old rivals again

FORMER Hearts Scottish Cup derby hero Edgaras Jankauskas is backing his old side to dump Hibs again tomorrow.

The Lithuanian striker netted in Hearts’ famous 2006 Scottish Cup semi-final win over Hibs at Hampden – the last time the two teams met at the national stadium. Jankauskas scored the third goal as Paul Hartley grabbed a hat-trick with Hearts humbling their old rivals and he also played in the Scottish Cup final when the Tynecastle side beat Gretna on penalties.

The 37-year-old former Porto and Benfica forward is now assistant manager at Lokomotiv Moscow. But he still has fond memories of his time in Edinburgh.

He recalled: “I think this year the Hearts fans will celebrate even more than they did in 2006.

“In my opinion, the true final back then was when we beat Hibs in the semi-final, not Gretna in the actual final.

“It’s great to win the national cup competition in any country, but it meant more in Scotland. The reason for that is because every year there are only two teams who can win the title, so you appreciate a cup win all the more because you have a chance of winning it.

“What stuck in my memory was how many people went to both games and how many thousands of them came to see us in the bus in the streets of Edinburgh. For me I think Hearts will win again. I certainly hope so and I think their fans will have a lot to celebrate on Saturday night.”