Former capital stars Darren Jackson and Paul Hartley relishing final

They starred for either side of the Edinburgh divide and Darren Jackson and Paul Hartley are relishing seeing the capital teams collide in the Scottish Cup final.

Jackson propelled himself to Scotland stardom and a lucrative move to Glasgow giants Celtic after five years at Hibernian, before coming back east to play for his boyhood idols Hearts.

The classy striker is now an agent and represents players on both teams - Hibernian's Leigh Griffiths and Lewis Stevenson and Gordon Smith of Hearts - meaning his loyalties remain divided.

As much as he knows it would go against his staunch Jambo father, who died of a heart attack three-years-ago, Jackson is backing the Hibees at Hampden.

Jackson said: “I’m actually nervous myself. I’d love to be playing so I’m very jealous.

“I’ve got split loyalties after five great years at Hibs and a great year-and-a-half at Hearts as well. I also look after players on both sides so it’s very hard to choose who to win.

“My dad would not be too happy but I’ll say Hibs. They’ve got a chance.”

Alloa manager Hartley failed to make the grade at Easter Road but switched to Hearts in 2003 and went on to captain the team and lift the trophy in 2006 during a Tynecastle spell in which he netted eight times in Edinburgh derbies.

Three of those came the last time the two teams met at Hampden, as Hearts triumphed 4-0 in the 2006 semi final. Hartley knows the players will start to feel the pressure towards the end of the week and believes Paulo Sergio’s men will be the better equipped to handle the occasion.

Hartley said: “The build-up has being going on for the last couple of weeks so the players will be really looking forward to it. As the week goes on I think the nerves will start to kick in and they’ll be really tense.

“I’m going for a Hearts win.”

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