HIBS’ Lewis Stevenson was irked at the defeat to Hearts yesterday afternoon at Hampden but felt that the Easter Road side could draw encouragement from the manner of the performance.

It was a fighting display from Shaun Maloney’s side who played the last 25 minutes of regulation time with ten men following the dismissal of Joe Newell.
“To be be beaten by your main rivals at Hampden and still be clapped off the pitch, I think that showed how much we put in. We just fell short again,” said Stevenson.  

“But it wasn’t for the want of trying or effort, which I think sometimes is what the fans ask for. 

“I felt we gave everything. Maybe moments of quality from them changed the game. The two finishes from them were amazing. The save from Craig Gordon was unbelievable. 

“I didn’t think there was much in the game at all. We competed as well as we have for weeks. 

“We left everything out there today and that’s the least we could have asked for.”
Gordon’s save from Ryan Porteous to tip the defender’s header onto the post and then collect the rebound was applauded by Stevenson who was already celebrating the ‘goal.’
“I was celebrating on the halfway line, for me it was in all the way and then I was devastated,” he said. 

“It was an unbelievable save from Craig but he’s been unreal this year, he has got them so many points and now he has helped get them to a cup final as well. 

“These are the small things that make a big difference.

“The second half last week was disgraceful at times. We wanted to put a different kind of stamp on the game. And to be fair I think this week Hearts know they have been in a game."