Scottish Cup final: Jamie MacDonald says victory is well-earned reward

Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, who was a runner-up in the Scottish Cup in 2008 when on loan at Queen of the South, hailed victory over Hibs as a reward for the squad’s persistence over the course of a season in which they have had to contend with worries over unpaid wages.

“We’ve had a great season,” MacDonald said. “The goal was to get into Europe through the league, which we have done, and now we have won the cup, which is not something you really think about at the start of the season. It has been a great achievement by everyone. It’s been a difficult season for the players and staff – it’s been one of those sort of seasons. We have stuck at it and got our reward today.”

MacDonald reserved his particular praise for midfielders Ian Black and Rudi Skacel. The former is definitely leaving the club, having not been offered a new contract, while Skacel also looks set to depart at the end of his second spell as a Hearts player.

“What can I say? They’ve both been fantastic today as usual, Rudi putting the ball in the net, like he does, and Blackie bossing the midfield as normal. Good luck to the two of them in whatever they decide to do. Blackie is obviously a definite, but I am not too sure about Rudi. Blackie has already been told that he is definitely away.

“It’s a sign of the times in Scottish football, unfortunately, just something we have to get on with. At least we go into next season with a lot of confidence now.”

Black, who went out on a high with a commanding performance, said he was looking forward to whatever the future might hold. “It was a great opportunity and I had to grab it with both hands,” he said of playing his last game for Hearts in a cup final.

“There is sadness at it coming to an end, but there is going to be a new challenge. To finish on that is great. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but it is maybe the right time to try something else.”