Hearts cruise into Scottish Cup final

GLASGOW: Hearts will face Celtic or Aberdeen in next month’s Scottish Cup final after three goals in 25 second-half minutes ended Inverness Caley Thistle’s dreams of another cup upset in a 3-0 win at Hampden.

The Scottish Championship side held their own for the first 45 minutes on Saturday, but the floodgates opened when Uche Ikpeazu stabbed the ball home from close range four minutes into the second period.

Inverness responded well to falling behind, with Hearts goalkeeper Bobby Zlamal clawing away a Joe Chalmers free-kick destined for the top corner.

Jamie McCart was then denied an equaliser by a flag for offside as he curled an effort into the top corner.

But it was Hearts who doubled their advantage after 66 minutes as John Souttar rifled home on the volley at the back post from a Olly Lee corner.

Hearts were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute after Mark Ridgers was adjudged to have brought down Ikpeazu in the area. Substitute Sean Clare stepped up to convert and seal the Jambos’ spot in the final.

Celtic will aim to take a step closer to a third consecutive domestic treble of trophies when they face the Dons at Hampden on Sunday.