THE look of disdain on Jason Holt's face said it all. It has just been suggested that even the Rangers midfielder, an Edinburgh boy who was part of Paulo Sergio's extended squad for the humiliating 5-1 2012 Scottish Cup final victory, must feel a little bit sorry for the predicament his one-time capital rivals could find themselves in.

Chasing three titles in January, they now have just one strike left, in Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup final. It arrives in a cup competition in which they haven't prevailed for 114 years, against a Rangers team equally desperate to lift their first piece of proper national silverware since their messy rebirth in the Scottish lower divisions. And judging by Holt's reaction, he plans to extend them about as much sympathy as your typical parking enforcement officer when you return to your car ten minutes after your ticket has expired.

"I don't think there is room for sentiment," said Holt. "I have a couple of friends who are Hibs fans ... while they, the [Hearts] supporters, probably will be [desperate to keep Hibs 114-year wait for a Scottish cup victory going] but as players you don’t try to get involved in that stuff. My full concentration is on the game and what I'll be involved in on Saturday. It's a cup final, a massive occasion, but my focus is on Rangers and what we need to do.”

While a third successive year in the Championship would still be something of a downer, a century and more of cup frustration would dissipate in an instant for the Easter Road club if the result went their way on Saturday. Seated in the stands for the 90 minutes back in 2012, Holt did his fair share of celebrating on the day Hibs hit rock bottom. But he would dearly love to make a more authentic contribution to this year's final. And if it prolongs Hibs' misery then so be it.

"The cup memory that springs to mind is that 5-1 win over Hibs when I was at Hearts," said Holt. "I wasn't involved in the game itself but luckily I was able to travel with the squad and enjoy the celebrations afterwards. That was a great day - I didn't really consider myself a first-team player back then so just to be involved in all of that was brilliant.

"I'd made my breakthrough that season and I had been training a lot with the first team," Holt added. "I got one or two games and it was an incredible experience just to be a part of it all. I was suited and booted and out on the pitch with the cup at the final whistle. The following day we had the open top bus tour of Edinburgh which again was an amazing experience and something I will always look back on.

"Going round the city the next day was incredible. It really whetted my appetite for more success. It's like everyone says, once you've had a taste of it you want it all the time. I'm no different in that regard."

It might not be a grudge match of Hearts-Hibs proportions, but there is a rivalry of sorts between Rangers and Hibs. Saturday will be the sixth meeting between the clubs this season, with the scoreline currently standing 3-2 in the Ibrox side's favour. “We have played them quite a few times but we can’t treat it any differently," said Holt. "I think they are going to be itching to go out on Saturday and win the game, win the cup, for the fans. We’re no different. Obviously the Petrofac final and the Celtic game gave us a little experience of what happens at Hampden around a game but Hibs have been to Hampden a couple of times this season so they will be well-equipped but we just focus on ourselves.”

While Holt and Rangers still have this season to get out the way, it is only understandable if minds are ticking forward to the 2016-17 season. With three new arrivals already in the bag, all of them capable of playing in midfield, in the form of Jordan Rossiter, Matt Crooks and Josh Windass, and another two big-name signings on the radar in the form of Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar, Holt would have to be among those most at risk of losing his first team spot for the season ahead. That would seem a harsh fate for a player who has scored 12 goals from midfield this season and often produced his best play on the biggest occasions. He has three goals against Hibernian this season, including two in the pivotal 4-2 victory around Christmas time, while his energetic display in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic was exemplary. “Stuff like that is outwith the players’ control to be fair," said Holt. "There’s not much we can do so we just need to wait and see.”