Scottish News: Paul Hartley insists qualifying for the Champions League remains Hearts' priority - despite the Tynecastle club getting within touching distance of the Scottish Cup.

Hartley scored the first hat-trick of his career to help Hearts sink rivals Hibernian 4-0 in their semi-final at Hampden yesterday, setting up a clash with Gretna next month.

The 29-year-old Scotland midfielder scored his fourth, fifth and sixth goals of the season against his former side in a dramatic afternoon in Glasgow which also saw disjointed Hibernian have two players, Ivan Sproule and Gary Smith, sent off.

With interim manager Valdas Ivanauskas in charge of the team following the recent departure of Graham Rix, the Gorgie men will now face the Second Division champions in the May 13th final, although Hartley claims holding onto their second spot in the Premier League remains the priority over winning the Scottish Cup.

The Edinburgh club travel to Celtic Park in midweek to take on the champions-elect who will secure the title with a victory. But Hartley insists the Tynecastle men will be focused again for the crucial SPL match.

He said: "We will go into the final as overwhelming favourites but we've got to give Gretna the respect they deserve because they got to the final with a fantastic performance against Dundee on Saturday".

Gretna's 3-0 victory over Dundee at Hampden makes them the first club from outside Scotland's top two divisions to have reached the Scottish Cup final.

The Dens Park side had more possession in the first half but Kenny Deuchar struck in injury-time and Dundee then struggled to break down their stubborn opponents.