Derek McInnes eyed Saturday’s clash at St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup and said: “If we can get through this one we’re 90 minutes from a semi-final.”

The Buddies will provide tough opposition and the head coach said that they have shown they are a good side.

The newcomer said he wasn’t “jumping through hoops” when St Mirren away came out of the draw but he added that you have to beat good teams to progress.

He believes Hearts can go all the way and the former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock manager declared: “There is nothing wrong with setting lofty ambitions. We’ve got to imagine that day at Hampden.”

Expectation is high in the Gorgie faithful following two straight wins in the William Hill Premiership taking them to the top of the 12-strong table, and four victories in the group stages

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