Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian have been drawn to face each other in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, with the tie scheduled for Hampden Park on the weekend of 31 October or 1 November 2026. The draw has produced sharply contrasting reactions from the two managers, reflecting their different perspectives on what the fixture means.
David Gray, Hibernian's head coach and a veteran of Edinburgh derbies as a player, views the semi-final as
a brilliant opportunitythat carries
a bit more spice to itbecause of the rivalry involved. Wouter Vrancken, who took charge of Hearts from Sint-Truiden this summer, has adopted a more measured stance, describing the fixture as
nice for the fansbut emphasizing that his immediate focus remains elsewhere.
The semi-final draw was completed after Rangers eliminated Celtic in the Old Firm derby, setting up a final four that includes an all-Glasgow clash between Rangers and Aberdeen in the other semi-final. According to the SPFL, the final is scheduled for Sunday 13 December 2026.
Vrancken Prioritizes League Fixture Over Cup Fever
Vrancken, the 47-year-old Belgian manager, is not unfamiliar with cup success, having lifted the Belgian Cup in charge of Mechelen in 2019. He also already possesses an Edinburgh derby victory, with Hearts having defeated Hibs 3-1 in the Scottish Premiership at Easter Road earlier this month. Yet he has resisted the temptation to look ahead to the semi-final, instead keeping his attention on the immediate challenge posed by Falkirk in the league on Tuesday.
Looking forward to it for sure,Vrancken acknowledged.
But the only thing we are thinking of now is Falkirk.
The Hearts manager rejected the notion that facing Hibs in a semi-final represented an additional incentive for his squad. His players had already demonstrated their hunger by transforming an early four-game losing streak into a nine-game unbeaten run, winning the last four matches.
It is nice for the fans that it's an Edinburgh derby,he said.
Either way, we want to win a semi-final, but when you look too far ahead, you don't see the things that are in front of you.
Vrancken also declined to suggest that Celtic's exit had fundamentally altered the competition's landscape.
In any cup, in a Scottish cup, a Belgian cup, wherever it is, every team can win depending on the performance on the day,he stressed.
Gray Relishes the Hampden Occasion
Gray's perspective could scarcely differ more. The 38-year-old Scot, a former Hibernian player who scored the winning goal in the 2016 Scottish Cup final against Rangers, views the semi-final as a defining moment.
It will be a brilliant game to look forward to,he said.
The stadium will be packed out. I think, no matter who you get in the semi-final, if you look at the four teams that were left, it was always going to be a brilliant atmosphere in any of the games.
The fact that you've got an Edinburgh derby definitely adds a little bit more spice to it. I watched the draw and right off the back of it you're saying 'I'll enjoy that one when it comes round'.
This will mark the first League Cup semi-final between the two clubs, though they have met at Hampden previously. Hearts prevailed 2-1 in a Scottish Cup semi-final in 2022, and the Tynecastle side hold a 5-1 advantage in League Cup meetings overall. However, neither club has reached this stage of the competition since November 2023, when Hibs lost to Aberdeen and Hearts were beaten by Rangers.
For Gray, this represents a significant milestone in his managerial career at Hibernian.
On that stage, packed out, full house, against your local rivals, it's a brilliant opportunity,he said of the match.
It's definitely something that's eluded us - me especially - for two seasons.
Gray was caretaker manager during Hibernian's last final appearance in December 2021, when they lost to Ange Postecoglou's Celtic. Since then, the club has struggled to return to cup finals, though Gray believes his current squad possesses the quality to compete at the highest level.
Going into every game, we've demonstrated that we're good enough on our day with a complete performance to be competitive against anybody. Clearly, it's an Edinburgh derby, which adds to that atmosphere and adds to the occasion. A very special one when it comes around.
Recent Form and Path to the Semi-Final
Both clubs arrived at the semi-final draw in contrasting circumstances. Hearts eased past Championship leaders Stenhousemuir 3-0 on Friday, while Hibernian avoided a potential cup upset the following day by defeating League One side Ross County by the same scoreline. According to BBC coverage, Aberdeen completed the final four after winning on penalties at Kilmarnock.
Gray's side had been under mounting pressure before their Ross County victory, having recorded just one win in five outings prior to the cup tie. That sequence included a Conference League exit and the recent league defeat to Hearts, making the cup win a timely boost for morale.
Historical Context and Trophy Drought
Hearts have reached the League Cup final twice since 2013 but have not won the trophy since 1962, when they claimed their fourth title. Hibernian last won the competition in 2007 and have lost in the final twice since then. The semi-final therefore represents a genuine opportunity for either club to end a significant drought in this particular competition.
What Happens Next
The Edinburgh derby semi-final will take place on the weekend of 31 October or 1 November 2026 at Hampden Park. Premier Sports will broadcast the match, with the kick-off time still to be confirmed. The winner will face either Rangers or Aberdeen in the final on Sunday 13 December 2026. Before the semi-final, Hibernian will host Kilmarnock in the league on Tuesday, while Hearts must travel to face Falkirk in their next fixture.
