The upcoming Scottish Cup Final between Hearts and Celtic might be the biggest game in years for Hearts. It is arguably the biggest game for the club since the 2012 cup final against Hibernian.
However, Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal is treating the fixture just like any other game.
“There is maybe a little bit more pressure but I try to play like normal” he said, as reported by the Evening News.
Sensible comments
(photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Zlamal is being quite sensible in treating the fixture like any other game. If he overthinks about it, it could lead to him making mistakes.
That is something you don’t want your goalkeeper to do, especially in a cup final.
Good performance in cup final rehearsal
(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Zlamal warmed up for the final with a good performance in Hearts’ last league game of the season, the 2-1 defeat to Celtic.
Even though he was on the losing side, he pulled off a number of good saves. That should give him plenty of confidence heading into the Hampden showdown.
(photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Zlamal will need to be at very best on the day if Hearts are to pull off a cup upset. That is why it was good for his confidence that he was able to turn in a good display against Celtic.
Craig Levein will be hoping that a similar performance against the same opponents will provide the bedrock to a cup final win.