Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian Sportscene

Now it is time to cross to Rob Maclean and the Sportsline team.

Hello from Easter Road, an Edinburgh derby with an even bigger prize than

normal. Derby day in Edinburgh, and the

capital comes alive. Third is two teams, it is a match that matters so

much. The teams are here, the fans can't wait. The scene is set for the

second Edinburgh derby of the season. Playing for a place in the

league cup semifinals, it is Hibs against Hearts.

Yeah, it could be quite a night. With me in the studio tonight, two

men who have won the captain's armband in this famous fixture,

Michael Stewart and Ian Murray. The match will of course be played with

extra time and penalties if required. If the match is settled

within 90 minutes, we will have an extra half-hour of analysis and

interviews for you later via the BBC website. We will have highlights for

you of Inverness versus Dundee United at half-time. That was quite

a quarterfinal played in the Highland capital last night. There

was controversy surrounding that. And we will have news from

tonight's other quarterfinals. Morton play St Johnstone. News of

that will be built into our live coverage from here at Easter Road.

Ian, let's talk about this one. Hibs have hardly set the heather alight

this season. Tonight could make a big difference? Massive game for

them. The pressure is on Hibs. Hearts are a young team. Hibs are at

home. For me, I think it is a home win. Is that a wily campaigner like

Billy Brown trying to wind things up? Maybe a little bit, but I think

he was in what he said. Of course, they want to win. Do they expect to

win? I'm not so sure. The odds appear to be stacked against Hearts,

but they have won before? Year, they have. It was the same sin REO -- the

same scenario before. And it was the same coming in here tonight. We were

talking about how we thought the game was going to go, and this is a

night Hibs have got to try and win. But the more we spoke about it, the

more I got the feeling that Hearts have a chance. If you are a Hibs

fan, you are always apprehensive going into a derby. If you are a

Hearts fan, but some reason there was always more expectancy. Hearts

have got a chance. It will be close. That wonderful soundtrack in the

background to a massive mat at Easter Road. It is the Edinburgh

derby. The winners tonight will take their place in the last four for the

linkup edition. Your commentators are Billy Dodds and Liam McLeod.

The evening. More than 300 times, these two have crossed swords, but

the scars of league cup after a few. Incredibly, it is the fourth time

these teams have been drawn together in this competition. Twice in 1947

and 1956, both won by Hearts. The most recent one was in November

2006, and it saw Hibs go through at this stage, faxed to a Rob Jones

goal. As the crow flies, there are only about three and a half miles

between the clubs, but there are 22 points separating them in the

league, with Hearts rooted to the bottom of the premiership, mainly

due to their financial penalty for going into administration. They are

still waiting for news on that front in the near future. Right now, they

are down to the bare bones. They are still hurting from that game at

Hampden Park not even a year and a half ago. Paul hasn't played the

final part of the second-round loss to Hamilton.

What a boost to the Hearts team to have Ryan Stevenson available.

Just two defeat in ten, Pat Fenlon looking at the positives. He is

beside Jimmy Nicholl, who won this competition at Kilmarnock alongside

Kenny Shiels. What a tough task it has been for the Hearts manager this

season. It is the referee's first Edinburgh derby. He took charge of

last season's Scottish cup final as the Hibees went down 3-0 to Celtic.

And it will be the hosts who will start this showpiece match of this

year's league cup quarterfinal. The draw for the semis of the

competition is made tomorrow. Inverness Caley Thistle are already

there. Which of these great capital clubs will be taking their place

alongside them 's three times winner is Hibs or the four time winners and

last year's runners-up, heart of Midlothian? Under the floodlights in

Leith, there must be a winner. No mucking about, no replays. Four of

Hearts' last league cup games have gone all the way to penalties. I

hope I am wrong, but I think because of the pressure on the expectancy,

they will be tense and nervous. You have two teams giving maximum effort

and endeavour. I would like an early goal. Both teams will be getting

into this. There have just been six goals scored in the last five

Edinburgh derbies. Hibs fans arriving late are making

their way to their seats at the Hearts end. They have sold that end

out. Jamie Hamill gets the free kick. He

will be very important for Hearts tonight. One of their more

experienced players. Ryan Stevenson is 29. Free kick given. That is the

way it is going to be for at least the first ten, 15 minutes of this

match. The ball just will not settle. What

an education it has been for the majority of the youthful Hearts

squad. The captain is only 21. It is easy to forget that.

A late challenge by Ryan Stevenson on Robertson. I am not going to beat

on too much about Stevenson, but that just shows you.

That was a great all in -- a great ball in! But hit the woodwork. Jamie

Hamill is poleaxed inside his own penalty area. It is Hibs who are

pressing and pressing. It all came from Jamie MacDonald.

Gets a great header on it, Paul Hanlon. Hanlon attacked that so

well. McDonald gets lucky. Hamill is being

helped off the park just now. Had a bang to that left leg. Hearts lost

Ryan Stevenson for a spell early in the campaign. Aside from one, there

is no one older than 22 in the Hearts team tonight.

Ben Williams has had an assured presence in the Hibernian goal this

campaign. That was a foul on Craig. It seems that Hearts have a storm to

whether here. Loads of green and white in the box.

We thought Hearts' setup would be a FourFourTwo. Hearts are just trying

to get through the first ten, 15 minutes.

We certainly did not expect to see Ryan Stevenson in the Hearts line-up

tonight. Kevin Thomson was tempted by the

effort. You can hear the Hibs fans. They sense that a goal might be in

the offing for their team. Morton versus St Johnstone have a

7:30pm start. And at 7:45pm, Motherwell against Aberdeen.

James Collins was on the ball there. He is finding it difficult to cement

his place on the Hibs team. Hibs have started a better than

against Aberdeen at the weekend. Hibs are on the front foot taking

the game to Hearts. A real test for this young Hearts

team. It is a straight wall. Never going

to get on the end of that. How do Hearts best approach this

game the way it opens up? They are doing the right thing.

Hibs are passing the ball around well. They need to be in these early

moments. A great flick on from Collins.

Promising foreheads. -- for Hibs. Really good work initially by James

Collins. Somehow it stays out! McGowan and

Wilson, McGowan with the challenge on McPake. It was McGee. He does

well to get it away. A fine stop by MacDonald. Hearts do

enough to get it away. Constant pressure. It's not over yet for

Hearts. Well, wonderful midfield work.

Hearts have barely been able to string a couple of passes together

on the deck. Hibs are in their faces.

Evenson is still only 25, seems to have been around forever. Wonderful

against Kilmarnock. It is attack after attack here. The

men in green and white. Oh, what a save from McDonald's.

Onto the crossbar and it stays 0-0. I cannot tell you how good a save

that was from Jamie MacDonald. My word, what a touch, what an angle.

Through the legs of McHattie. What a save! A stunning piece of

goalkeeping. It keeps the score blank. The goal is being peppered.

Hearts can just take a breather. 17.5 minutes in to the Edinburgh

derby. Hearts have been excellent.

Absolutely stunning. They have to release the pressure.

Sometimes you don't get great derbies but this is excellent so

far. Hibs taking the game to Hearts. A great league cup ties so far. The

prize is a place in the semifinals. MacDonald again. He is keeping his

team in it single-handedly right now! So positive.

How much longer can Hearts sustain this?

It is difficult to see Hearts keeping Hibs out the way this game

is going so far. They have got through the first 20.

A great save from McDonald's. They are still hanging in there. You can

only give Hearts credit so far. The fans would like them to play a bit

better. Hibs are constantly at Hearts's throats.

The last meeting was November 2006, a quarterfinal. Rob Jones with the

only goal. The Hearts fans are claiming

handball. Two fantastic saves. He deserves his

luck, he kept his team in it. They cannot get it on target.

Good game! Jamie MacDonald acknowledging the supporters. They

are appreciating his efforts so far. He is all that is standing between

Hibs and a lead right now. Lewis Stevenson in his 21st capital

derby. They just can't make it stick, can

the visitors. Vine and Collins have had their fair

share of headers in the match so far. They can't sustain this level

for 90 minutes, plus possible extra time, can they? Who, Hibs? Hearts

have worked so hard. You wonder if they can keep up the energy levels.

The fact that Hibs have not taken advantage of their superiority so

far... They have been good so far, Hibs,

with Hearts hanging on. Hamill takes the free kick for Hearts. Ben

Williams gets to see a bit of the ball there. He was 16 when he scored

against Aberdeen in August, John Magee. He is a Scotland under 21

international already. Hibs have to remember, even though

they are dominating, they have got defending to do as well. At some

points, with the right ball, Hearts could have been in.

Brilliant opportunity, this, from the Luke for the men from the other

side of the capital. The two Stevensons come together.

Billy Dodds is shaking his head. We have got a battle on our hands

out that tonight. If this had been your average league

get game, Ryan Stevenson would have been missed tonight. I would agree.

It is Lazarus-like, his recovery from Saturday. He was just back from

a long-term injury. Hibs free kick. James Collins cost

?200,000 over the summer. Former Aston Villa youth player. Arriving

from Swindon, and he has taken up his place in the penalty area. The

home fans expect them. -- expect them to.

Ryan McGivern is here permanently now after a loan season last year

from Manchester City. The first half hour has flown by.

The capital derby. The good thing for Hearts is that a lot of their

players have in experience last season.

It has been tough for them in the last few weeks. Six defeats in

seven. Wilson just takes him out. First

booking of the night goes to Danny Wilson.

There is a foul on Walker by Robertson. You can see a bit more

from up the stands sometimes. At the moment, Hearts can't get

their strikers into the game. Stevenson! It is unbelievable!

Unbelievable! Up against the odds, Ryan Stevenson draws the first Lord

of the Edinburgh derby! What a turnaround -- he draws the first

blood. This was stunning. From absolutely nowhere, the game has

turned on its head. He has had one shot, he set his sights, ticks it up

and just lashes it behind Williams, absolutely no chance. Incredible

stuff. What a hit that is. I don't think Hearts players can believe it.

Ryan Stevenson has been booked in the wake of that. He went from that

end all the way to the other. The man who scored both their goals in

last season's final has got the opener here, against the run of

play, big-time. It was all Hibs until then. They pounded Jamie

MacDonald's goal. McDonald made a couple of brilliant saves. Followed

by this, from Stevenson, booked for his celebrations as this dudes try

to put out a flower which has come from the Hearts end. -- they have

tried to put out a flare. You just can't celebrity a goal any more. --

celebrate a goal any more. We are back under way now. It is the

Hearts fans who are celebrating. The Hibernian supporters asked under by

what they have seen. -- they are stunned. They thought it was only a

matter of time before they scored, but it is that lot there who have

seen their team get the ball into the net, and that is what counts at

the end of the day. Football is a funny old game, isn't it? You are a

team who have been pummelled the 20, 25 minutes, and suddenly you get

through that period. Hibs are looking for immediate

retaliation here. They claimed handball against Paterson. Now the

men in maroon are up again. When you are up against it and you

are being pummelled, the words you used, you need a piece of magic, and

Ryan Stevenson Khan did that up from nowhere. -- he conjured that up. We

know he has got a strike on him. It was a screamer. The Hearts assistant

manager, Billy Brown, said at the media conference yesterday that the

pressure was all on Hibs. It certainly is now. Do Hibs have an

answer? They have seldom come up with an answer at home in recent

times. Just four victory is in the calendar year here so far. You are

not getting much for your season ticket at Easter Road just now.

Hearts have gained confidence from the fact that they got their goal.

The Hibs supporters are rubbing their eyes in disbelief at what is

going on here. The fans, the players and the management team are all in

shock. Sometimes you do get shocks in games. It is just how you react

to it. Patterson may have been on the move

quicker. Walker tried to guide it back into the far corner.

Willie Collum was not happy with the challenge. Willie Collum it will be

a busy bee here. Willie Collum taking names, there

were a few involved. The third Hearts player to be booked tonight.

He hasn't finished yet. Willie Collum books Scott Robinson. Four

Hearts players on a yellow card. It is getting a bit naughty out

there! Plenty for Clancy to deal with last

night. Ten bookings for Dundee United.

There were only two or three not booked from United team!

Plenty of time for the host will stop -- hosts. Full.

McPake could not get it flush on the head. Jamie MacDonald clings on for

dear life. Hearts survive again. Two minutes

being added on at the end. The final minute of the 45. Two

being added on at the end. Willie Collum has had a busy night.

McGivern is from Newry in Northern Ireland. He wasn't in the squad for

the matches in October. Craig has been on fine goal-scoring

form. Willie Collum did not feel it was a

free kick so gives it to Hearts for the handball.

We saw John Robertson before the goal coming down to the dugout,

pointing the way. Hebburn in with the opportunity to

try to level matters before the interval. -- Hibernian.

Hearts have held form. An astonishing start at Easter Road.

Ryan Stevenson with a wonder strike for Hearts to give them the lead.

Jamie MacDonald just as big a hero as the man who put the ball in the

back of the net with two wonderful saves from Robertson and Paul Hanlon

hit the left-hand post as well. The Jambos lead at half-time.

You would not see a more glaring example of a sucker punch in a

football match than that. Let's hear from Michael Stewart and Ian Murray.

Hibs must be stunned in the dressing room. They will be, disappointed.

They played exceptionally well at times. It looked like only a matter

of time. Foreheads to keep doing that 45 minutes, to keep going and

going and going. Stevenson went up front. Hearts looked livelier.

How far were Hearts out of that in the first half hour?

When they turned up at Easter Road tonight, it was as much as an

Edinburgh derby as I've seen. With the pressure and momentum with one

team and they don't score, the other team... Identity so much they

changed the shape or made difference. They made the change

earlier. For me, what's important is one of the best players on the team

working so hard. You have to have those players down the spine of the

team. When he is out wide, he is wasted. He is capable of bits of

magic. He looks for it, just shortly before that, he cut in from the

left-hand as well. I think it's vital he gets kept in the middle of

the pitch because we can produce things like we saw.

It had seemed a matter of time before Hibs scored.

Hibs were doing well making McDonald's work hard. The header was

off the post. The bottom line is you have to take chances. If you don't

get the goal in common playing so well, you start to worry.

That was the pick of the bunch. He had a couple of shaky moments, he

came out for a couple of punches and the one that led up to where it hit

the post, before that he punched one, and later on a corner and

heeded not cleared the box. So, he more than made up that with his

saves in the first half. It was needed. Hibs will be so disappointed

because they had the majority of possession, creating opportunities.

When Hearts scored it looked as if the confidence disappeared out of

the team. They were slower, they need to speed it up.

The hero status is shared between Jamie MacDonald and Ryan Stevenson.

A fantastic strike. It is not even a good ball in. He

knows where the goals are. Paul Hamill on Stevenson. It takes a

split second to score a goal. Hibs have a tough game on their hands.

The next goal is massively important. It could be game over.

Hibs have to get the equaliser. This is one of three league cup

quarterfinals going on tonight. A 7:30pm start for Morton against

Saint Johnstone. 20 minutes gone, terrific football stadium.

A solid start for both Morton and Saint Johnstone. McLauchlan with a

header and the goalkeeper dealt with it comfortably.

30 years since Morton reached a league cup semifinal. There's a lot

of drama to come in this one yet. Sorry, Sam problems.

We will keep tabs on that one. Fir Park started 7:45pm. It remains

0-0. A big atmosphere. A big moment the

referee after four minutes, Motherwell had the ball in the net,

it looked as if he drifted from offside. Loitering with intent. The

assistant said that Sutton was offside. It was chalked off. In the

driving rain here, it is all Motherwell in the early stages. Nine

minutes played. It is still 0-0. The first of the quarterfinals did not

leave us short on talking points. Inverness played Dundee United. The

best of it now with John Barnes. And United have lost one of the last

eight visit to the Caledonian Stadium.

What a strike that is! Dundee United in front after only five minutes. A

terrific effort there from the United full-back. To put the

visitors in front. The referee spotted an infringement.

I think it was Mackay with a push in the back of patent. -- Peyton.

It is all kicking off now. What Draper stepping in. -- prostrate

burst opinion. The referee has got some work to do here. It is a red

card for the United striker. The top goal-scorer is asked to leave the

field. There have already been a couple of yellow cards, and now

Terry Butcher is being shown to the stand Tom as is Darren Jackson, the

United coach, all because of this. Warren! And Inverness are back

level. Gary Warren, with his second goal of the season, nine minutes

into the second half. Billy Mackay really should have buried that. It

was a great setup from Doran. Billy Mackay is grounded. He is appealing,

but the referee is having none of it. A yellow card for dissent from

Mackay. Ross Draper at the back! In the final minute of extra time.

Draper may well have clinched Caley Thistle's plays in the semi league

final -- the semifinal. How do you some all that up?

Very difficult to do that. We got into trouble with some of the

decisions, especially the sending of. Our boys kept on going, so

credit to them. We played up until the last minute of the game, putting

balls in the box. I am proud of the way they kept going, their energy

levels, the way they kept helping each other, even when things were

going against them. Just disappointed that we did not last

and ticket to penalties. Later we have Sportscene extra online. We

will have an extra bit of chat on the BBC website. Iain Murray, I have

seen you and a few of those in your time. Difficult for the referee,

wasn't it, to pick out who merited a red card? It is hard, because there

are so many people and then the managers get involved. You can't see

everything. He was maybe a bit harsh. Talking of a red card, let's

see what happened for Motherwell versus Aberdeen. Yes, Aberdeen are

already down to ten men. Joe Shaughnessy's straight red card for

a really bad challenge. The Motherwell man was getting forward.

The Aberdeen full-back came and launched right into him, and the

referee had no hesitation in flashing a direct red card. The Dons

are down to ten men. Remember that Motherwell have had the ball in the

net. That was chalked off, correctly in my opinion. It came from an

offside position. It is all happening here. It is early days at

Fir Park. We have had an amazing first half here at Easter Road.

Remarkable, the way it has panned out. We did not expect to see Ryan

Stevenson here because of his injury over the weekend. Not only has he

featured, but he scored the goal. I was surprised to see him featured

after being sent for a scan. He does not even think about it, just

smashes it into the back of the net. Vital player for Hearts. Jamie

MacDonald has had an amazing first half as well. It started badly for

him. Year, he should have caught that, and it hit the woodwork. But

after that, he has acted magnificently. It might be his night

as a goalie. If he is not holding it, he can't allow the ball to

drop. That was a dangerous area. But this was the big one. That was an

absolute cracker. To get that up onto the bar was a phenomenal save.

We watched that from behind, and the moment it struck we thought it was a

goal. Those normally go in, because the goalkeeper can't keep them out.

But it was a magnificent save, as good as you will see. What an

amazing first half. It will be interesting to see the reactions of

the two teams. Hibs have gone a goal behind. Hearts were not really in

the game until Ryan Stevenson scored spectacularly. At the other end,

Jamie MacDonald has been superb, with that wonder save to keep out

Scott Robertson. The second half is about to get underway. Leigh Dodds

and Liam McLeod. Yeah, just about ready to go again.

Hibs have won the league cup three times. In 1972, 1991 and 2007.

Hearts have won it four times, all within eight years in 1954, 1959 and

1962, including twice under Tommy Walker.

Ryan Stevenson's second goal of the season is the difference between the

two teams so far. Hibs started the first half like a rocket. They will

be hoping to do so again in the second period. Hibs were unbeaten

against Hearts last season. Hearts have the early-season

bragging rights in this campaign, and they lead here. That is a modern

day rule, you can't go in with your studs up. But I think it is

impossible to do a tackle with your studs down. Dylan McGowan with the

free kick. He was a frustrated figure at Hampden Park back in

March, Ryan Stevenson. Yes, they have tested Jamie

MacDonald, but they were finding that problematic against Aberdeen at

the weekend. Tonight, it has been the same situation when they have

got into the Hearts penalty area. I am sure Stevenson gets at least a

head on that. I think everybody in this stadium is

in shock, including the Hearts fans and ourselves. Kids will be saying,

we have got to get back to what we do -- Hibs.

We will keep you up-to-date with what is happening in the other two

ties. Hearts have the advantage here, Hibs trying to claw their way

back. Hearts have only one away from home

once this season. It was in this competition.

Hibs won an indirect free kick for the pass back there.

There was too much on it. Excellent opportunity. A man who knows what it

takes to win the Scottish league cup. Former manager of kill Marnoch.

Guided Killy last year, 2012. -- kill Marnoch.

There were green and white options in the middle. Good play from

McGivern. Hibs haven't been as good at the

start of the second half as the first. Hearts aren't using the ball

to good effect. Hearts have got themselves into a situation where

they could counterattack... The pressure is on Hibs.

Gary Locke doing a fine job under the circumstances.

Hearts supporters happy to still have a club to support! That is the

main thing. Still waiting on news from Lithuania. They can't be bought

until the major shareholder are put into liquidation.

Hibs fans are getting restless. Very restless. So is their manager. He is

twitchy. They are dependent on experience

guys tonight. A bit of connection is all that is

needed. They will do well to avoid a card

here, Kevin Thomson. He is being pulled over by Willie Collum.

Hence are about to make the change at the next stoppage in play. --

Hibs. Hearts still leads the Derby here in

the capital. Ryan Stevenson wasn't even meant to

be playing tonight. He has proved to be the Joker in the pack for Gary

Locke. Hearts have looked more comfortable

this half. Five minutes shy of the final

quarter. Surely now the change will be made.

Brilliant from McGowan. James Collins two goals this season.

Ross Caldwell comes on. He scored the winner in the final derby of

last season. What a goal it was. The more scrappy game, it might suit

Hearts more than Hibs. It eats up the seconds.

It adds pressure. Hearts more comfortable as the game goes on.

Hibs scored more in the last round of the competition at Easter Road

than in the entire season so far at home. Five times against Stranraer.

A Liam Craig hat-trick helping them on their way.

Jordan McGhee becomes the fifth Hearts player in the referee's book.

It is 5-2 to Hibs in that respect. 17-year-old Jordan McGhee is the

latest offender. Very similar to Thompson, two minutes ago.

An Edinburgh derby under the floodlights. The Hearts hero so far

is Ryan Stevenson. They look white relaxed now. -- quite relaxed. Hibs

fans are biting their fingernails. 16,797 inside Easter Road tonight.

They will be clock watching very soon, if they are not already.

The frustration is creeping down onto the turf.

That sums it up a bit for Hibs. It was a good build-up. But they lost

momentum. They have not really recovered from the kick in the guts

they got with the Ryan Stevenson goal. They just don't seem to have

the same belief that they had before that goal. They are trying to play,

but you have got to hand it to Hearts as well. They have made it

difficult for them. The pressure is on as well, and Hibs are not

handling that side so far. The blues are ringing out now. That

is exactly what they don't want is the. -- what they don't want to see.

Hearts corner. Hanlon was forced to give away a

corner. Really good play from Stevenson.

The goalkeeper seemed a bit indecisive dad, Ben Williams.

So if you are Pat Fenlon and Billy Dodds, and you are looking at the

clock and it is ticking down, what do you do? I think Zoubir is an

absolute certainty to come on. Just something different to mix it up and

create something, because they have not been creating. Hibs fans were

not happy with the substitutions Pat Fenlon made hay against Aberdeen on

Saturday. It is a Hearts ball. And no sooner did we say it, but Zoubir

will be on in a moment or two for the home team.

As far as goals are concerned, Paul Hatton and has looked the most

likely for Hibernian. Here they go. That has got to go down as a poor

miss from the Hibernian point of view. That was from Liam Craig. That

was the golden moment. They got a little bit of luck they needed. He

has got to strike better than that. What a lost opportunity. Another

huge moment. It was another good stop from McDonald's. He has had a

fine night. I was talking about Paul Hatton and being good for a golfer

Hibs this season. But Liam Craig has done OK himself. He has got six so

far, and you would have put your mortgage on him banging Hibs level

in this game with that chance. MacDonald made the save, but whereas

one of the saves in the first half was outstanding, that one was more

down to Liam missing it. I think he should have gone for power there.

Tom Taiwo is the player who will come off for Hibs, to be replaced by

the Frenchman, Abdellah Zoubir, on loan. Callum Paterson is waiting to

come back on. It is a handball. You feel there is

plenty more in this derby yet. It could still be a long night. Still

time for the men in green and white. But it is disappearing all

the time as Zoubir waits and waits. The Hibs fans want him on. Pat

Fenlon, like a caged lion, down in his technical area. Once again, it

is a poor ball, and once again, the supporters are venting their fury.

Now, the change will be made. Zoubir replaces Tom Taiwo, a very different

kind of player. Can he turn it? That is the question. They just have not

created enough. We have seen plenty of drama in the league cup this

season already. What more will we see in the capital?

It is a Hearts free kick. Eats up more time, too.

Yeah, tug on the jersey. They are not going to get away with that

tonight. Three yellows for Hibs now, Hearts

with five. Remember, if the game finishes after 90 minutes, we will

be on air for half an hour on our website with all the post match

reaction. Ryan Stevenson again, the man with

the dodgy knee. Not that dodgy! Absolutely not. They forced him off

early against Kilmarnock on Saturday. It was a 2-0 defeat.

Kilmarnock cantered to that victory. But Hearts have been a very

different animal tonight. That foul was against Ryan

Stevenson. The semifinal draw is made tomorrow

afternoon at the national stadium, three o'clock. Inverness Caley

Thistle are already there. Six other teams trying to get there. No goals

between St Martin and St Johnstone. No goals between Motherwell and ten

man Aberdeen. Hearts with one foot in the semifinal as things stand.

They won their semifinal here last season, on penalties, of course.

When they have won their last four ties, they have won them with kicks

from the penalty mark. Hibs are struggling for ideas.

Zoubir is fresh. They should see what he can do.

Robertson has been on the periphery of things since the opening 25

minutes of the match. I think the Hibs fans want this in

the box. It keeps coming back. McDonald gets a bit of luck again.

He's been outstanding. The Hibs fans are frustrated, they

are putting more pressure on the players. We have seen this so often

before. You can understand the frustration from the supporters.

He was caught there. McPake is in trouble. He is. Hibs down to ten

men. It is going from bad to worse for the Hibees.

Hearts were not expected to make any kind of impact. And now they've been

reduced in numbers. James McPake with the lunge on a Callum Paterson.

Seven minutes to go. The mountain just got bigger for the hosts.

It could be that that is Hibs's chances all but gone. The skipper

doesn't know where to look. He has had something to say to the Hearts

technical staff as well. The Hearts fans beginning to sense this is

their night. They think they are there. This

league cup quarterfinal tilted a bit further towards the men from the

other side of the city. Ben Williams with the armband now. Callum

Paterson carrying a knock as well. Gary Locke waits. McHattie goes for

gold. Hearts yet to make a change. The

young team being put through the ringer. They will come out the other

end to sparkling. A semifinal place is only five minutes away and less

that ten men of Hebburn Ian can launch a comeback. -- Hibernian.

Aberdeen down to ten at Fir Park against Motherwell.

Scott Robertson the latest to get in bother with Willie Collum. A yellow

card. A cynical challenge. That is nine yellows in total and

the McPake read. Hearts free kick. The clock ticks

down. 3.5 minutes to go plus injury time.

They battered Hearts in the opening exchange, the opening 25 minutes of

the game. They are behind. Where there is time, there is hope.

They have found it hard in the second half. Liam Craig...

A glut of chances, particularly in the first half but the pressure

looks like it will be right on Pat Fenlon again.

a crucial moment again. It sums it up for the Hibees.

He will play the 90 minutes, Ryan Stevenson. Three minutes of stoppage

time added on. A minimum of three minutes for Hibs to rescue this

situation. They are down to ten men. They are a goal down as well in the

league cup quarterfinal. The goal knocked the stuffing out of

them. Any wind of them when Stevenson thumped the ball into the

net. They have not been the same team since then. Hibs have not been

able... You have to credit Hearts, young

inexperienced lads. Even the experienced ones are young and they

are standing firm. He has taken Hibs to a couple of

Scottish cup finals. They went out to Queen of the season -- Queen of

the South last season. It hasn't been a kind competition for him. I

am surprised Gary Locke hasn't made any changes. He has kept them all on

the park. I think he will make a change this time. This will eat up

more time. Callum Tapping getting ready to come on.

The Hearts fans think they are there already. Scott Robinson is replaced

by Callum Tapping. They cannot get past the maroon

rearguard. They cannot break it down. The three minutes of stoppage

time are almost up. McDonald holds on. He will not be letting go of

that. This could be time up. Caldwell just stands and hopes the

ball is coming to him! Still we play on.

The Hibs fans are heading for the exit is already. That, surely,

surely, that is it. WHISTLE BLOWS

Listen to the raw from the Hearts supporters who came here more in

hope than expectation. They hope to knock out their big rivals. They

have done just that. They weathered a storm in the opening 25 minutes of

this game. They were taking a pounding in the first half. Jamie

MacDonald with a couple of wonderful saves, one in particular which he

saved off the crossbar. He is the big hero, he is the one he would

have the headlines. Ryan Stevenson. It was a sight to behold. The

classic sucker punch having been up against it. The team in

administration have got another round to go through, more money for

them, they have much bigger battles of the park but on the park they

have had 11 Lions tonight. Hibs, despite the credit they would get

for the opening 25 minutes, could not penetrate. Ryan Stevenson is the

hero for Hearts. Gary Locke will thank all of his players. He did not

make a change until the final minute. Hearts go through to the

league cup semifinal draw. Hibernian zero, Heart of Midlothian, one.

15 points adrift at the bottom of the SPL. Only three players were

over the age of 20. The odds were so heavily stacked against Gary Locke

and his team. And they have pulled off an amazing victory having been

so much under the cosh in the first half an hour at Easter Road, Hibs

could not take their chances. Jamie MacDonald had something to do with

that. Ryan Stevenson struck in spectacular style, even that early

in the game, no way back for Hibs. Good players give you a reaction.

Unfortunately for Hibs and the Easter Road faithful, it was a long

time after the goal and they never looked as if there were going to get

back into the game as soon as Hearts scored. That is a sad indictment of

the Hibs team. That is a big plus for young team, Ian, and it is a

major -4 Pat Fenlon and his team. Yes, credit to Hearts. The pressure

was on Hibs. Let's hear from Ryan Stevenson.

Ryan, congratulations. Some are pure emotions? It is amazing. After the

recent run of form I have had, some poor results, we knew it was a big

game for us all. It was a good distraction for us and it is a

massive result. 25 minutes into the game, it was backs to the wall for

Hearts, and then you produced an unstoppable shot. Whether that come

from? I don't really know! Probably because I was tired at the time, I

just thought I would hit it in the top corner. We defended well. Jamie

MacDonald made some great saves. What does it say about the heart of

this young side to put in a performance like that? Hibs only had

one shot after your goal. How did that come about? We are young. But

we are getting experience. We have played well for most of the season.

It was a surprise to see his name on the team sheet, pre-kick-off. But he

did this. Fantastic goal. He said he was feeling a bit tired, but if he

does that when he is feeling tired, we will take that and see what he is

like when he has got a bit of energy! That was a fantastic finish.

He does not even have to look at the target, he just lets it roll across

his shoulder. Right in the back of the net. That was 34 minutes in. The

big surprise if you are a Hibs fan is that there was so little from

them between then and time up. There was not much. At half-time, did team

talk must have been easy for Hibs. Keep doing what you are doing. There

first half-hour was exceptional. They had two big guys at the front.

Let's round things up before we go in terms of all the league cup

quarterfinals. Inverness were of course our winners last night.

If you are watching us on the BBC website, stay where you are, because

there is more chaps to come. If you are watching on telly, go to the

website. If not, it is bye for now. Hearts are through to the

quarterfinals, or the semifinals, even!