Hearts book Scottish Cup semi-final place with victory over St Mirren

Hearts have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a 4-2 victory over St Mirren at Tynecastle on Saturday night.

The Edinburgh side went into the quarter-final tie with confidence after recording a convincing 2-0 win over Stephen Robinson’s men in Paisley two-weeks ago.

And Beni Baningimie put them ahead on the 16th minute of the game before Peter Haring made it two on the half hour mark.

But the visitors were back in it only six minutes later when Eamonn Brophy volleyed a Richard Tait cross past Craig Gordon to make it 2-1.

Hearts thought they had a third a few minutes later when a Craig Halkett shot fired off the underside the bar a during a frantic last ten minutes to an end to end first half that also saw Brophy come close again before the break.

It remained 2-1 into half-time but Gordon was picking the ball out of his net again on the hour mark when Connor Ronan scored a fantastic goal to draw the teams level.

The Irishman collected the ball well outside the box before smashing home an unbelievable strike past the Scotland number one to make it 2-2.

Hearts regained their lead when substitute Aaron McEneff scored within seconds of coming onto the park just when St Mirren looked like they were gaining the upper hand.

Hearts pushed for a fourth and came close through a Woodburn free kick then a close range effort from Liam Boryce.

And Simms restored the hosts’ two-goal lead when he fired home a McEneff cross to make it 4-2 with just under ten minutes to go and put the game beyond St Mirren.

Motherwell play Hibernian at Fir Park on Sunday before Rangers travel to Tayside to take on Dundee at Dens in the 4pm kick-off.

Then on Monday it will be Celtic’s turn to visit the City of Discovery as they take on Dundee United at Tannadice for the last semi-final place.