HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN 3 - 0 INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE

After what can only be described as a quiet first half, the second half exploded into life with Hearts progressing to the William Hill Scottish Cup Final on 25 May with a 3-0 win over Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

THE BUILD-UP

Inverness were looking to reach their second final in four years with Hearts looking to lift the trophy for the first time since 2012. 

A sunny but cold Hampden was ready.

Hearts fans

Inverness fans

THE STARTING LINE-UPS

Heart of Midlothian starting line-up:

Zdenek Zlamal (GK), Michael Smith, John Souttar, Peter Haring, Christophe Berra (Captain), Olly Lee, Arnaud Djoum, Uche Ukpeazu, Jake Mulraney, Bobby Burns, Aidan Keena

Inverness Caledonian Thistle starting line-up:

Mark Ridgers (GK), Shaun Rooney, Carl Tremarco (Captain), Joe Chalmers, Jamie McCart, Liam Polworth, Aaron Doran, Tom Walsh, Jordan White, Brad McKay, Charlie Trafford

THE FIRST HALF

In a half of limited chances it was Hearts that came closest. Christophe Berra's header from an Olly Lee corner the best of the slim pickings.

THE SECOND HALF

It was livelier start to the second half. Olly Lee tried his luck from 25 yards. Mark Ridgers in the Inverness goal tipping it over for a corner after it looked destined for the top corner. Keena then had a low drive from distance just a minute later. This one more comfortable for Ridgers.

The opening four minutes of the second half had more action in them than the whole of first half and on 49 minutes, Ikpeazu broke the deadlock. 

Jake Mulraney hit a low shot across the face of goal; the ball bouncing back to Ikpeazu who stuck it home with the aid of a deflection.

Inverness Chances

In the 57th minute, Inverness came very close to an equaliser. Zdenek Zlamal had to tip a curling Joe Chalmers free-kick onto the bar.

Jamie McCart thought he had scored the goal of his career in the 61st minute has he spun and curled a left-footed effort into the top corner from 18 yards only to be flagged for offside.

2-0 to Hearts

John Souttar doubled the Hearts lead on 65 minutes as he swooped in at the back post to put the ball into the back of the net after Olly Lee's corner was headed into his path.

Joe Chalmers went close again for Inverness just minutes later; his long range shot flying just past the post.

3-0 to Hearts

The game was all over in the 73rd minute after Mark Ridgers took down Ikpeazu in the box and second-half substitute Sean Clare scored the resulting penalty.

FULL TIME

Heart of Midlothian 3 - 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Uche Ikpeazu (49), John Souttar (65), Sean Clare (73)

William Hill Man of the Match: Jake Mulraney (Hearts)

Attendance: 21,011

POST-MATCH REACTION

“These fans have been brilliant. They deserve it – they are always behind us.”

Watch Uche Ikpeazu give his reaction to the 3-0 win.

"It feels good, of course. A little bit nervous in the first half like some of our players were"

Hear from Hearts Manager Craig Levein on his thoughts of the game.

Hear from John Robertson as he reflects on his side's 3-0 defeat.