Hearts v Hibs: Rivals braced for ‘all or nothing’ semi-final

This is a first competitive match between managers that were on track to meet in the Belgian top flight this season before stepping away.

Wouter Vrancken steered Sint-Truiden to third, their best finish in 60 years, while Marink Reedijk enjoyed a remarkable ‘invincibles’ second tier title success with Beveren.

Reedijk is still waiting for his first Hibs victory, a drab draw at St Mirren on Wednesday following three defeats for the Dutchman who replaced David Gray and has set about implementing a new style at Easter Road.

While the structure is evolving, Hibs remain defensively fragile, without a league clean sheet, and have been blunt in attack.

In Reedijk’s first game, Hibs had four efforts on target, then three, then two, while the goal at St Mirren came from the only one.

In their past four domestic outings, Hearts have had 22 attempts on target and that includes a 7-1 mauling at Celtic.

Vrancken’s side have 24 league goals to Hibs’ 11, three of those coming at Easter Road when they completely bossed the first half, showing far greater energy and intensity than the hosts.

“You have to put your emotions and energy in the things you have to do on the pitch and go from there,” said Vrancken. “We did really well there and we have to do also on Sunday.

“It’s a totally different game. New manager, new style, new competition. It’s also an all-or-nothing game. So all different circumstances. The first game doesn’t matter anymore. We have to look forward to this one.”

Meanwhile, Reedijk is looking forward to a “special match” with “some surprises somewhere”, adding: “It’s not only the derby, it’s also a semi-final, and it’s one step away from a final, so that is a double way of excitement.”