Hearts can be one of the trickiest Scottish first teams to break into.
A club whose expectations usually involve European qualification, some form of cup success and proving to be the biggest club in Edinburgh. For some, it isn’t an easy mission to become a Jambos regular, and Scottish Cup semi-finalists Inverness Caledonian Thistle have three players who didn’t quite cut the mustard in Gorgie.
Mark Ridgers (Goalkeeper)
A key reason as to why Inverness have conceded the joint second-fewest Championship goals this season, Mark Ridgers is turning into quite the revelation in the Highlands. In their last eight league games, Caley have conceded an average of 0.75 goals per match. That all starts with a superb shot-stopper.
Brad McKay (Centre back)
It also usually entails a big, commanding centre back which is what Brad McKay can provide. Likened to former Caley favourite Gary Warren, the 26-year-old can also chip in with the odd goal or two. He scored the winner in Caley’s last match at Somerset Park against fellow playoff place occupants Ayr.
A boyhood Jambo, could he net against his boyhood team and former club?
Kevin McHattie (Left back)
Yet to get his Caley career up and running, McHattie is least likely to feature out this trio. Since leaving the Jambos, McHattie has had spells with Killie, Raith Rovers and Derry City. Whilst at Derry he played with several former Scottish league footballers such as Dean Shiels, Darren Cole, Nicky Low and another former Jambo and current Partick Thistle striker Alastair Roy.
It’s Caley’s first Scottish Cup semi-final since getting the better of Celtic in controversial circumstances before going on to lift the cup in 2015. With a Championship playoff place all but secured, a nice distraction would be the Scottish Cup.
Inverness may be the lowest ranked team still left but they’ll fancy their chances against anyone to cause an upset. Will Hearts legend John Robertson mastermind knocking his former club out?