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Will Hibs take 'huge opportunity', or will Hearts prevail again?

Do not to expect "the highest-quality encounter" at Hampden Park, but with two new managers at the helm who are known for a more attacking style, could we be in for a cracker on Sunday?

So pondered The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Hearts' Wouter Vrancken and counterpart Marink Reedijk will both make their first appearance at Hampden for Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

Vrancken will be looking to maintain his perfect Edinburgh derby record following a 3-1 victory at Easter Road earlier in the season.

Despite Hearts' recent injury issues, McGowan believes Hearts have plenty to be positive about against their city rivals at Hampden.

"It's a really tough time for them injury wise and yet they are somehow managing to defy that," he said.

"I think they'll be pretty happy with where they are just now and I think they'll fancy their chances going to Hampden.

"I think they would usually fancy their chances against Hibs anyway, but they seem to be in quite a good place just now.

"If you look at the likes of Josh McPake and so on, there's a lot to be positive about for Hearts."

Reedijk is still searching for that elusive first win as Hibs boss and Scott Allan views this as a "huge opportunity" for Reedijk to win the fans round.

"Hibs will be looking at it as a huge opportunity to maybe start building some momentum," the former Hibs midfielder added.

"But they do come up against Hearts, who, for me, in that final third, look a lot more devastating than what Hibs are and they've definitely showed that this season."

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