Hibs create Hampden history and set up final showdown against Rangers after thrilling Edinburgh derby
Reedijk’s men come from behind to take down Hearts in semi-final
Hibs created history by defeating bitter rivals for the first time at Hampden to set up a Premier Sports Cup final clash with Rangers.
Goals from Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath earned Hibs a precious victory - their first under new head coach Marink Reedijk - to upset the form book and take down Hearts.
Sitting bottom of the Premiership, Hibs came into the match as major underdogs against Wouter Vrancken's side - with history against them, having losing all four of their previous Edinburgh derbies at Hampden, including a 5-1 Scottish Cup final reversal 14 years ago.
However, they recovered from the concession of an early goal and held firm amid a Hearts fightback to set up a final clash against Rangers on Sunday, December 13.
Hearts started fast and opened the scoring on four minutes. It was a simple goal. Calvin Miller swung in a corner from the right and Braga ran in unmarked to head home from close range.
Given their recent poor form, Hibs could easily have sank without a trace. They responded. Captain Felix Passlack was sent through on goal but Hearts keeper Beau Reus made himself big enough to block.
At the other end, Tomas Magnusson glanced a header just wide of the post - but had to come off afterwards after suffering what looked like concussion in the challenge with Jason Kerr.
Hibs were getting plenty of joy down their left-hand side and on 15 minutes, Owen Elding blazed over the bar after being found in space in the centre of the goal.
Their leveller arrived four minutes later. Boyle darted across from his left flank to meet Elding's clip over the Hearts defence and while Reus got something on the Australian's effort, the ball trickled in via the post and survived a VAR check for offside.
Hibs grew in confidence and pressed Hearts. The Jambos suffered another injury blow on 37 minutes when Miller went down clutching the back of his leg and he was unable to continue.
Hibs went ahead at the break thanks to McGrath's effort on 42 minutes, stabbing home after Joe Newell's drilled effort had been blocked by Hearts defenders.
After a breathless first half, Hearts pushed for a response straight after the restart. Laurent Mendy flashed an effort over the bar on 53 minutes, then a moment later Sallinger did well to turn away a stinging drive from Braga.
Hibs had their chances too. Reus got down low to save from Boyle, while the Belgian was in the right place to deny Marko Ivezic's header just after the hour mark.
Sallinger made a really smart intervention to turn over a fierce Sabri Guendouz strike on 68 minutes as Hearts now pressed hard for an equaliser, with Reedijk's men having to defend a number of crosses into their penalty box.
Nevertheless, Hibs were still dangerous on the break and Reus did really well to plunge at the feet of substitute Thibault Klidje on 75 minutes after he was sent through on goal. The Togolese then curled over on 82 minutes in another counter attack.
Hearts were throwing men forward in a now desperate hunt for the next goal and Braga should have dome better than header wide after another good delivery from Altena on 87 minutes. Then Reus made another huge save, again stopping Klidje.
Hibs weathered the extra three minutes of stoppage time to claim a famous win, with Sunshine on Leith blaring out at the end as the Hibs players celebrated with their ecstatic fans.
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