Unbeaten derby record counts for nothing for Hearts coach Gary Locke

Gary Locke has never lost to Hibs in his spells as a player and a coach at Hearts.

But the former Tynecastle captain knows that none of that record will count for anything when the teams walk out at Hampden on Saturday.

Locke, part of Paulo Sergio’s backroom team at the club, is helping to prepare the players ahead of their Hampden date with destiny and he believes it will be one of the team’s toughest tests.

Locke said: “There’s no point in looking back at previous derbies, those games have gone and this is a one-off game and it is all about who turns up on the day. I’m just hoping it is Hearts.

“It’s a one-off game and anything could happen. You could get a wee bit of luck or a decision by the ref so form goes out the window.

“We know how difficult a game it’s going to be. Hibs have had a disappointing season but they’ve stayed up and Pat [Fenlon] can now look to build for next season so we know how tough a game it’s going to be.”

Preparations for the final did not go exactly to plan for Hearts as they were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thumping at Celtic Park on Sunday but all thoughts of the defeat were erased from memory as the players returned to training on Tuesday.

Locke is also hopeful that striker Craig Beattie will be among the squad by the end of the week.

“Although it was a disappointing result I think the main thing was that we got through the game without any injuries. We were disappointed with the performance but it’s gone now.

“We’re happy to qualify for Europe through the league position and now we’ve got a big game on Saturday.

“I hope Craig Beattie will be there. He’s been struggling with a hamstring problem but we’re hoping that he’ll train this week and prove his fitness but we won’t know until Thursday or Friday.”

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