Robbie Neilson explains Hearts' Hampden talks and reveals when he wants another crack at Celtic
Robbie Neilson intends his ongoing Hearts rebuild to include regular Hampden Park trips and wants another crack at Celtic this season.
Following Sunday’s delayed Scottish Cup final from the 2019/20 campaign, won by Celtic on penalties, the Tynecastle manager praised his players for matching a team who have now won the last 12 domestic trophies.
He hopes to meet the Glasgow club again in this season’s Scottish Cup and explained that future Hampden visits must be more frequent on Hearts’ fixture list.
Neilson’s ultimate priority is gaining promotion to get Hearts back into the Premiership, which could mean four meetings with Celtic in season 2021/22. Before then, he is keen to tackle them in knockout format.
“I would love to be back in the Premiership to get another four cracks next season, although I would love another crack at them in the Scottish Cup [this season]. You have to credit Celtic though because they are a top team,” said Neilson.
Hearts recovered from 2-0 down and 3-2 down to take the final to penalties but the Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard saved spot-kicks from Stephen Kingsley and Craig Wighton to win the trophy.
Neilson explained why Hampden should be a regular venue for the Edinburgh club. “I came to Hearts because it is a club I have been associated with for a long time,” he stated.
“We are a big club and I want to get them back to the top, playing in big games and finals. We got to a final and we ran Celtic all the way so it shows the progress we have made.
“We spoke in the dressing room of this being a regular stage, coming to Hampden for semi-finals and finals. This is where a club like Hearts should be. We have to keep doing the best we can to get Hearts back to that level.”
Neilson will now prepare for the Boxing Day Championship meeting with Ayr United at Tynecastle. “The boys will get a couple of days off but we will go again.
“We will now prepare for the next game and looking to win that. We will pick ourselves up, take the positives from the game and get ready to kick on again.”
