VAR TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

Ton make ambos sweat but Kenneth and Craig save the day

 

THEY were warned creaking Cappielow would cramp their style.

But Hearts found enough room-just-to squeeze past Championship scrappers Morton and book another trip to the relative luxury of the National Stadium.

Make no mistake, Steven Naismith and his side were breathing a huge sigh of relief after coming through this pulsating 90 minutes.

Ton pressed, squeezed and almost suffocated their Premiership opponents' cup dream, which will see them face Rangers in the final four.

Kenneth Vargas' 86thminute drive eventually killed off the fight from Dougie Imrie's side to set up a second semi-final of the season for the Jambos. For that, they have not only the Costa Rican but keeper Craig Gordon to thank.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke made the trip to Greenock, presumably to cast an eye over Lawrence Shankland, ahead of announcing his squad for this month's friendlies with the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.

But it may have been Gordon in goal that had him weighing up matters most as the 41-year-old cup keeper proved he's still got it with a string of saves.

Clarke couldn't have helped but be impressed by Ton's dogged display too.

They hadn't beaten the Jambos in a competitive game since before Naismith was born 40 years ago this August to be precise, when Willie McLean's side dumped them in Gorgie. And yet, for spells they looked like smashing that run in style.