HEARTS manager Robbie Neilson today targeted a Scottish Cup final victory Celtic or Rangers next month in the wake of his side's 2-1 semi-final win over Hibernian at Hampden.

The Tynecastle club beat their capital rivals this afternoon thanks to stunning first-half goals from Ellis Simms and Stephen Kingsley and will have the chance to lift the trophy for the first time since 2012 when they return to the national stadium on May 21.

Neilson, whose men clinched third place in the Premiership and European football next term when they won the Edinburgh derby last weekend, was in the dugout when the Gorgie outfit lost to Celtic on penalties in the delayed 2020 final.

The former Scotland internationalist is convinced that Craig Gordon and his team mates can go one better this time around regardless of who they face. 

“The players have the belief we can win the cup,” he said. “We were here 18 months ago and took Celtic to penalties. This time we hope to go and win it.”

Hearts centre half Craig Halkett was stretchered off in the second-half after suffering an ankle injury – but Neilson is optimistic the defender will be available for the final.

“We just need to wait and see,” he said. “He had a boot on and a beer after the game. We shall wait and see. Hopefully Craig can make it. He caught his studs in the turf, there was nothing wrong with the challenge.”

Neilson gave credit to his first team coaching staff for the well-worked free-kick – Kingsley played a one-two with Liam Boyce before curling a first-time shot into the top left corner from 25 yards out - which ultimately secured victory.

“Paul Gallagher, Gordon Forrest and Lee McCulloch are the three guys who work on set pieces,” he said. “To their credit, we’ve worked on it last week and didn’t do it. We kept it for today and it worked a treat. Those guys are in charge of that and it has won us a game and taken us to a final.”

Craig Gordon denied Hibs an equaliser in the second-half when he tipped a Ryan Porteous header onto the inside of his right post at a Ewan Henderson corner. Neilson believes the Scotland goalkeeper deserves to be named Player of the Year. 

“Craig has been outstanding,” he said. “I’d expect him to be in the running for Player of the Year.  In my opinion he should win it because he’s done it week in week out.

“A number of players have performed sporadically through the season. But every week he’s pulled off saves for us and it has helped us massively. The save was crucial. That’s what Craig does. He steps up to the plate when we need him.”