A frenetic derby got up and running in the fourth minute when Jambos attacker Claudio Braga headed in from a corner, only for returning Hibees striker Martin Boyle to deservedly level in the 19th minute with a poacher’s goal.

A compelling encounter continued and midfielder Jamie McGrath put the on-top Hibees ahead three minutes before the interval, giving the Gorgie side time to reset and put pressure on their opponents after the break.

Although Hearts retained a threat, a stout defensive display by the Leith side  means they will meet Rangers in the final at the national stadium on December 13.

Hearts had won the four previous meetings between the teams at Hampden, in 2006, 2012, 2020 and 2022, but this was Hibs’ day.

Dutchman Reedijk won his first point at the fourth attempt in a 1-1 draw at St Mirren in midweek to take them off the bottom of the William Hill Premiership, which kept a spotlight on him.

As Edinburgh headed to Glasgow for the day, Hearts defender Stephen Kingsley took over from injured Rogers Mato while Boyle replaced Nicky Cadden, who dropped to the bench.

The two sets of fans provided plenty of colour and noise before the game but it was the maroon-clad hordes who were celebrating a simple opener when Calvin Miller’s corner from the right was headed in by unchallenged Braga from four yards out.

Hibs were stunned but four minutes later a pass from midfielder Joe Newell sent captain Felix Passlack through, only for his shot to be saved by Jambos keeper Beau Reus.

There was no let-up as the game sped from end to end.

Tomas Magnusson headed a Miller cross past the post and then required treatment for a head knock which saw him replaced by Yan Dhanda, before Hibs’ Owen Elding flashed a shot high over the bar from an Adam Mayor cross.

However, it was all square when Boyle raced on to a lobbed pass from Elding and beat Reus with a drive which went in off a post and survived a VAR check for offside.

In the 34th minute Newell skimmed the Hearts bar with a dipping drive from 25 yards before the injured Miller was replaced by Sabri Guendouz.

The game turned completely on its head when, from a cleared Hibs corner, Newell’s powerful drive was saved by Reus but McGrath steered the loose ball in at the near post.

Braga missed a great chance before the break when he headed wide from a Josh McPake cross and then smashed a shot at Hibs keeper Raphael Salinger early in the second half as Hearts regained momentum, although moments later Reus blocked a drive from Boyle and then saved Marko Ivezic’s free header from a corner.

The action was relentless and at the other end Salinger tipped a thunderbolt from Guendouz over the bar.

Hearts maintained pressure on the Hibs goal and with two minutes remaining Braga again headed wide from a great position – but Hibs held out for a landmark victory.