Jack Ross says 'huge incentive' is there for Hibs to beat Hearts at Hampden

Jack Ross has urged his Hibs players to seize the moment and book their place in the Scottish Cup final by defeating Capital rivals Hearts on Saturday.

Hibs boss Jack Ross is preparing his team to face Hearts.

The two Edinburgh clubs meet at Hampden for the right to take on either Aberdeen or Celtic on December 20 and Ross knows that a derby victory would be a momentous moment for both the supporters and the club’s staff.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent social distancing restrictions, there will be no fans present to watch one of the most eagerly anticipated derbies in years, but Ross knows that tens of thousands of Hibs fans will be tuned in at home and is desperate to put on a show for them.

"It's huge for them, but it's huge for us in terms of players, and as a club,” said Ross. “It's a huge incentive for us - the players and the staff - and we know what it means for the supporters. I'm really looking forward to it.”

Hibs began their Scottish Cup quest by defeating Dundee United in a replay and have also disposed of BSC Glasgow and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Ross does not want to put all that good work to waste and says he knows lifting the trophy is “achievable”.

“We started the tournament in January against Dundee United and we spoke before that first game at Tannadice about the reason we're in it, and that's to win the competition, because it is achievable for us and we can be another step closer to that by winning the semi,” added Ross.