Hearts striker Craig Beattie is “sure” he will beat his hamstring injury to line up in the Scottish Cup final.
Beattie struck the dramatic winning goal from the penalty spot against Celtic to book Hearts their place against Hibernian in the final but has struggled for fitness ever since.
The short-term signing, who left Swansea in January, remains a doubt for Hampden but has pledged to work hard to make himself available.
The 28-year-old said: “I’m hoping I’ll be fit. I’ve upped the work all week and I’m going to work today and keep stepping it up in training over the week and I’m sure I’ll be fit.”
Beattie said it is a relief for the players to finally concentrate on the massive tie, after securing a fifth place finish which will see European football guaranteed at Tynecastle next term.
The well-travelled attacker praised his team-mates for their efforts over the campaign and said that the cup final against Hibs is the least they deserve.
Beattie said: “The cup final is just deserts for what the boys have put in. They’d been working hard before I got here and while it took a couple of replays to get there we are now just working hard to go and win it.
“It’s very important to me to personally too. It would up there with the best things I’ve done in my career and hopefully I can crown it with a winner’s medal on Saturday.”
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