Hearts progress to Cup semi with Celtic

Hearts 2-0 win at New St. Mirren Park last night saw them move through to a Cup Semi date with Celtic, although a penalty call dominated the proceedings.

A goal each from Jamie Hammill and Rudi Skacel were enough to see the Jambos progress, although the story of the game was once again a refereeing call which denied the Saints a goal.

The penalty call came in the 13^th minute of the game, ref Stevie O’Reilly spotted a hand ball by Zaliukas ad blew the whistle immediately for the spot kick. But within seconds Nigel Hasselbaink had headed the ball into the net from the loose ball.

Carey took the kick for Saints only to see it saved by Jamie McDonald, much to the anger of Saints boss Danny Lennon. "I'm frustrated in terms of decisions going against us and the decisions we made for the goals we conceded," Lennon told BBC RadioScotland. "Referees can wait to see if there is an advantage to be gained."

I am sure there will be a queue of former referees ready to tell the papers the referee was right to blow so quickly and award the penalty. Having watched it back a couple of times the whistle was blown almost instantly by the ref, rather than waiting to see what developed.

This seems to be a common thread this season, with refs either blowing too quickly and not showing any common sense, which is meant to be the unwritten law they all apply.

Hearts win though sets up a couple of decent semi finals, with Aberdeenv Hibs followed by Hearts v Celtic, could we have an Edinburgh Derby in the final on 19^th May?