My cup final: Andy Murray

NO matter where he goes, no matter what he does, there will always be a part of Andy Murray that belongs to Easter Road.

So, as he prepares for the Internazionali BNL d’Italia this week, the last stage on his journey towards the French Open, Scotland’s finest tennis player is on the horns of a dilemma (never the most comfortable place from which to launch a challenge for a Masters series title).

If Murray lives up to his seeding in Rome – and to his own expectations – he ought to be otherwise engaged as his beloved Hibs take on Hearts in the Scottish Cup final. Saturday is semi-finals day at the Foro Italico and last year it was the scene of one of Murray’s finest clay court performances – he served for the match against Novak Djokovic but lost in three sets. Twelve months on and, after missing the Madrid Masters last week with a slight back problem, he is itching to prove himself again against Messrs Djokovic, Nadal and Federer on the red clay. But, then again, there is always the fitba.

“My uncle’s got tickets for the final for quite a few of the family,” Murray said, trying to look utterly focused on the tennis challenge ahead of him. “Hopefully, I won’t be able to make it but I’ll try and watch it if I can.”

The last time Hibs were in the final, Murray was just 14 but already he was making his move towards the top and, packing his bags, he headed to Spain to train in Barcelona for a couple of years. Since then, he has seen the world, won titles and trophies on four continents and become a millionaire several times over. But, for all his wealth and success, actually getting to Easter Road is, more often than not, beyond him. No matter – wherever he is in the world, he keeps tabs on his team and can discuss the intricacies of team selection and formation until his audience’s eyes glaze over. No wonder, then, that Murray has Saturday marked down in his diary as a big day for many reasons.

“Yeah, it’ll be huge,” Murray said with a glint in his eye. “Hibs have struggled a lot, this year especially. I can’t remember the last time they were in a cup final – it was when I was very young, I think. It’s been a long time.”

So if Murray does not achieve his ambition of reaching the semi-finals this coming weekend, do not feel too sorry for him. He will either be cheering himself hoarse at Hampden, courtesy of his uncle, or he will be glued to a television set somewhere between Rome and Paris. No matter where he is, Andy Murray’s heart will be at Hampden on Saturday.