Hearts stars will wear the number 26 on the front of their shorts during the Scottish Cup final this weekend in memory of Marius Zaliukas.

The Jambos will honour their former captain against Celtic as they look to win the same trophy Zaliukas lifted as skipper back in 2012 in their famous 5-1 win over rivals Hibs at Hampden.

A short statement posted by the club on social media said: "This Sunday at Hampden, every player will wear no. 26 on the front of their shorts in memory of Marius".

Zaliukas played more than 150 games for the Edinburgh side between 2007 and 2013 before moving on to join Leeds United and then Rangers before he retired with Zalgiris in his home country of Lithuania.

We told how Hearts boss Robbie Neilson - a former teammate of Zaliukas - vowed to try and win the cup next weekend in memory of their ex-captain. The club beat Hibs in the semi-final on the same day of Zaliukas's passing, aged 36.

“Firstly, it’s absolutely devastating for everyone at the club,” Neilson said at the time. “I found out a minute or two before the start of the game. I didn’t speak to the players about it. Just after the game.

“I knew Marius very well, he was here as a player with me and I knew him for a number of years. It’s devastating for everyone at the club because he is synonymous with the 5-1.

“Hopefully it’s fitting today’s result, another game against Hibs and a victory at Hampden. He is in all of our thoughts tonight.

“Yes, we are celebrating and are happy about getting the result, but we are also feeling it for Marius’s family because he was a top guy and I had a great relationship with him. He has had a difficult couple of years.”