Hibs hold off Hearts to reach League Cup final

Hibernian beat Edinburgh rivals Heart of Midlothian 2-1 in their Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday, reaching a final against Rangers and ending a run of late derby defeats that had repeatedly left them empty-handed.

Hearts took the lead after four minutes through Claudio Braga, but Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath scored before half-time to put Hibs ahead. They held on despite heavy pressure after the break, with Braga missing a late chance to force extra time.

The win comes during a difficult league campaign for Hibs, who were bottom of the Scottish Premiership and had gone six league matches without a win, according to BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English. English described the semi-final as a potential turning point, while stressing that Hibs would need to build on it.

Hibs had endured several late setbacks against Hearts last season, with goals in the 86th, 88th and 90th minutes costing them in three separate derbies. Their new manager, Marink Reedijk, was only recently appointed, and the cup victory gives his side the chance to reach the final against Rangers next month.