WHAT a difference four days make. Just ask Craig Levein and Hearts.
He was getting “sacked in the morning” when Hibs took the lead at Easter Road in this season’s first derby. Indeed, his long-term job prospects were vocally questioned by Aberdeen supporters whose team ought to have won Wednesday’s Betfred Cup quarter-final.
And yet, the old Jambos found some previously hidden inner-strength and face Rangers in a semi-final, and a win at struggling St Mirren this weekend could take them into the top six.
It’s an oddity that nobody had previously concluded that football can be a funny old game.
"I think Wednesday was huge,” admitted Craig Halkett whose 93rd minute header made it 2-2 at Tynecastle against Aberdeen who had led twice.
READ MORE: Stewart Fisher: Why does Scotland have such a logjam of left-sided talent?
“We sat down before the derby on Sunday and we said it was important to not only win the derby but to try and kick on from that and try to win two, three, four games after that. As much as the derby was important for everyone and great for the fans and the club it was really important to go and get to a semi-final.
"I think behind closed doors as a squad we are really, really good. We're really strong. It was just about getting that first win and kicking on and hopefully we will do that."
Halkett arrived on a free from Livingston in the summer and chose Hearts exactly for nights like Wednesday.
Tynecastle was bouncing, the game was slightly bonkers and for the centre-half it had a happy ending given his team won on penalties
"It was a brilliant game to be involved in,” said. “As a footballer, that's the games you want to be involved in, quarter-finals and semi-finals of the cup. I'm just delighted to get this club to another semi-final.
"For my goal, I wasn't actually sure what the manager was trying to tell me at first! But once I got the message to go up front. I was obviously delighted. It was back to my old days as a striker."
"Obviously when I was younger, when I first signed for Rangers, I was a striker. It was just a bit of the old play there.
“When that went in, I thought we had a chance. We started really fast and well. Going behind twice is never ideal but I think it just showed the character of the team that we came back twice and went on to win the game on penalties."
Hearts showed guts over the last two games and that goes a long way in Scotland. What also helps is when the punters are behind you and it’s been noticeable that Hearts fans have acted in a calmer manner of late.
As Halkett said: “Once you get this crowd behind your back it's amazing, it's a great atmosphere. It's such a difference from what it's been in previous weeks and it really does help. I think the belief is coming back and hopefully we can kick on from here.
"In previous weeks the crowd has shown its frustration, and they have rightly done so, but the manager said it was important that we came out and went fast because he knows this crowd will get on your side and affect the opposition. We're just thankful they did that.
"I think it showed in the football we were playing. We went behind twice with two penalties which maybe wasn't deserved but they still got behind us and it did really help us."
So, can Hearts do their bit to ensure it’s not an Old Firm final. With Hibs playing Celtic, there is another derby on the cards.
"I think so, definitely,” said Halkett. “When teams get to semi-finals you're not going there just to take part, you want to go and win. The squad on paper is really, really strong. I think on our day, if we perform well, we can beat anyone."
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