CRAIG HALKETT says that there was hardly anything between Hearts and Rangers at Hampden as Robbie Neilson’s men fell just short in the Scottish Cup Final.
The Tynecastle side managed to take Rangers to extra-time after a goalless, hard-fought 90 minutes at the national stadium, but quickfire goals from Ryan Jack and Scott Wright finally broke down Hearts’ resistance.
Gutted Halkett couldn’t hide his disappointment at losing out on silverware, but admitted that he and his teammates simply ran out of steam.
"Clearly there wasn't much [in it] over the 90 minutes,” Halkett said.
"We had a game plan and we stuck to it very well; we limited Rangers to a small number of chances and had a couple ourselves.
"Ellis (Simms) had a right good chance and was unlucky near the start.
"I think Craig (Gordon) only had two or three saves to make in the game. When it went to extra time and they got the goal from the corner, it was one of those where we defended the first ball and then it was a great strike from Ryan Jack at the edge of the box.
"When that goal went in it just seemed to deflate us, and when they got the second, we started to chase a wee bit, and boys started to tire."
Despite the pain of the final defeat, Halkett says that Hearts can be rightly proud of what they have achieved this season.
"It's tough, obviously it's very soon after the game but we're really disappointed,” he said.
"I think in a few hours' time, a few days' time when we look back and reflect we can all be proud of ourselves for the season that we've had, coming straight back up from the Championship, finishing third, guaranteeing the club European football and also reaching the Scottish Cup final.
"It is disappointing not to go all the way and win it but we gave it a good go and got it to extra time but I think Rangers just had too much on the day.”
