Hearts 1 Gretna 1 (4-2 on pens) Scottish Cup Final 2006
The Hearts team was back along familiar lines after the reserves had completed the league campaign at Ibrox six days earlier. The atmosphere at Hampden was simply brilliant as the Maroon Army took over three quarters of the stadium with flag waving, scarf twirling bravado that brought a lump to the throat. But Hearts fans of old still knew the task ahead would be enormous. Gretna may have been lower league opposition but their manager Rowan Alexander, with the help of ebullient owner Brooks Mileson had built what was, in effect, a Premier League team. Alan Main was a goalkeeper of considerable ability and had played for St. Johnstone and Dundee United; Steve Tosh had only recently left Aberdeen; striker James Grady counted both Dundee sides among his former clubs while John O’Neil and Derek Townsley had quickly learned that if you want to fulfil your dream of playing in a cup final it’s wise to leave Hibernian FC.
Gretna wanted to demonstrate they weren’t overawed by the occasion when Grady set off towards Hearts goal straight from kick off. Ibrahim Tall was alert to the danger and Hearts soon settled to dominate the early stages. Paul Hartley fed Bednar but the ball just eluded the Czech striker before the maroons almost secured the early breakthrough that would have settled lingering nerves when Deividas Cesnauskis picked up a deflected effort by Takis Fyssas and fired in a shot from just inside the penalty box. The ball smacked the right hand post of Alan Main as the eyes of 12,000 Gretna fans behind Main’s goal momentarily closed.
It was encouraging for the maroon hordes to see Rudi Skacel eager to impress but a teasing cross from the Czech midfielder lacked the power to reach Jankauskas. Big Eddie then had a chance himself with an effort that Main did well to block but those Hearts fans who had placed large sums of cash on a thumping Hearts win were getting concerned there was still no score after half an hour’s play, particularly when Paul Hartley’s threatening run on the Gretna goal fizzled out when he uncharacteristically overran the ball. But it was far from one-way traffic towards the Gretna goal. Robbie Neilson came to the rescue when he cleared Deuchar’s dangerous cross for a corner kick before - for the umpteenth time this season – Craig Gordon produced a brilliant save from Skelton’s free-kick to prevent the rank outsiders from taking a sensational lead. Skacel then set off on a run but after making great progress to the Gretna penalty box, the midfield man was tackled trying to complete the job himself when the better option was passing to a clearly irritated Jankauskas. It was, rather alarmingly in the eyes of the Hearts support, end-to-end stuff, quite what cup finals against lower league opposition aren’t meant to be. This was illustrated once again when the ever dangerous Skelton fired in an effort that was a bit too close to Craig Gordon’s goal for comfort. A goal finally arrived eight minutes before half time – and much to the delight and relief of the Gorgie Boys it came to the maroons. Eddie J. nodded on a trademark Robbie Neilson throw in for Rudi Skacel to drive the ball past Main and into the net from six yards out. Hearts fans leapt to their feet and we breathed a little more easily during the half time break.
If we thought Rudi’s goal might have deflated our Second Division opponents we were disappointed as the second half began. A superb move from Grady foxed Steven Pressley and gave Tosh the opportunity to equalise but the former Dons player drove his effort wide. We then looked to Paul Hartley as Hearts were awarded a free kick just outside the Gretna penalty box but the midfield star’s attempt at goal was too high. Aguiar then had a go with a long-range effort that was never going to seriously trouble a goalkeeper of Alan Main’s ability. Roman Bednar then had a chance but his shot on goal would have been more appropriate at Murrayfield as Hearts fans unease began to grow. It intensified when Gretna should have equalised midway through the second half. Substitute David Graham was through on goal and rounded Craig Gordon. 35,000 Hearts fans may well have closed their eyes at this point unwilling to witness Graham slotting the ball into the empty net. But Robbie Neilson made a tackle comparable with England’s Bobby Moore against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup to save the day for Hearts and earn rapturous applause from those in maroon. We looked for the second goal that would surely seal the game for Hearts. And a goal duly arrived – horrendously for the Jambos it came as a result of a penalty for Gretna. Cesnauskis pushed O'Neill inside the penalty box and although Craig Gordon heroically saved McGuffie’s spot kick the Gretna player slotted home the rebound and headed off to dance in celebration with his teammates and disbelieving supporters.
Pospisil and Brellier replaced Bednar and Aguiar respectively and Paul Hartley almost regained Hearts lead with a shot from ten yards out which skimmed the crossbar. But, worryingly, it was Gretna who looked the likelier side to score with McGuffie and Innes coming close. Referee Dougie Macdonald blew his whistle for the end of ninety minutes with the teams tied at 1-1. Extra time beckoned and the looks of embarrassment on the faces of Hearts players and supporters alike told its own story.
The first real chance of extra time came when Skacel latched on to a pass from Pospisil but Rudi’s effort struck the post and our agonies continued. Another Hartley free kick then took the tag of close but no cigar as players from both sides felt the effects of cramp. As a penalty shoot-out loomed, there were just five minutes to go when Skacel found himself through one on one with keeper Main. Rudi rounded the keeper but appeared to be tripped as he did so. The Czech stumbled but remained on his feet as we looked to referee Macdonald to award the penalty. No foul decreed the official, a decision that incensed the Hearts players and support, most notably Paul Hartley who was booked for his trouble. An action Hartley regretted moments later when, having taken a nasty kick from former Hibee Derek Townsley, promptly retaliated with a kick of his own. Referee Macdonald showed Hartley a second yellow card followed by a red and furious Hearts fans greeted the end of extra time and subsequent penalty shoot out with anguish.
Pressley and Neilson scored the first two penalties for Hearts; Grady and Birch did likewise for Gretna. Skacel then put Hearts ahead before the Hearts fans danced for joy as Craig Gordon saved Townsley’s kick. After Mickey Pospisil netted Hearts fourth penalty, Gavin Skelton knew he had to score to save the game. His shot hit the crossbar and Hearts, therefore had won the Scottish Cup for the seventh time in their history. Bedlam at Hampden as Hearts players and supporters danced for joy. There may well have been a tear in Captain Steven Pressley’s eye as he lifted the famous old trophy to tumultuous acclaim from the celebrating Hearts supporters.
The scenes in Edinburgh matched those of 1998 as thousands of Hearts fans took to the streets of the capital the day after to welcome home their triumphant side as they displayed the Scottish Cup from an open-top bus along Princes Street, Haymarket, Dalry and Gorgie Road back to Tynecastle. It was a weekend of unbridled joy for jubilant Hearts fans. As ecstatic Hearts fans sang throughout another memorable weekend, the Hearts are having a party – the Hibs are in their beds!
The revolution continues!
Hearts: Gordon; Neilson; Pressley; Tall; Fyssas; Cesnauskis; Hartley; Aguiar, Skacel; Jankauskas and Bednar.
Att: 51,232
Referee: Dougie Macdonald
Top man: Robbie Bobby Moore Neilson!
