McPherson: Hearts must be up for cup

HEARTS were advised today to apply full focus and commitment to Sunday's Scottish Cup tie with St Johnstone, for the competition represents their best opportunity to lift silverware this season.

The words of wisdom came from Dave McPherson, a Scottish Cup winner with the club in 1998.

Despite an enthralling run of league form which has propelled Hearts into contention for the SPL title, McPherson argued that manager Jim Jefferies will rightly view the cup as his best chance of a trophy.

As such, St Johnstone's visit to Tynecastle this weekend takes on added significance following a sterling sequence of league results.

"The team and Jim will think they have a real opportunity of winning something this year," said McPherson. "They are playing really well in the league but he'll probably see the cup as the best opportunity to actually win a trophy. He will be focusing all the players' efforts on trying to do that.

"When you're on such a good league run, it's a good basis to take confidence into cup games against anybody.

"You feel you have a right good chance of winning and Hearts are at that stage at the moment. They are on such a good run that they shouldn't really fear anybody.

"They are getting results, not necessarily when they play well. So when you go into a cup game and it is a one-off, you have every chance of going through."

Striker Kevin Kyle is already considering the possibility of European football for the first time in his career. "That's something I have never experienced and I'd love to get a taste of it with Hearts," he said today.