Robbie Neilson has hailed the Scottish Cup route into Europe as 'huge' with the winners guaranteed group stage football.
Hearts reached the showpiece last season before losing out to Rangers 2-0 at Hampden but finished third in the Scottish Premiership standings that meant they earned that privilege - enjoying eight games in total on the European stage this season.
If the guarantee of a big pay day and playing in European group stage competition wasn't a big enough carrot for his side, the first team they can eliminate from contention via the domestic cup is capital rivals Hibs - with both sides going head to head at Easter Road. But before that meeting they face off in a massive Premiership clash at Tynecastle on January 2. Neilson's full focus is on the run of league fixtures as the domestic game gets back underway before turning focus to that crucial cup tie.
