Hearts draw favourites Celtic in Scottish Cup

Hearts were paired with favourites and holders Celtic in the draw for the Scottish Cup semi-finals

Hearts were paired with favourites and holders Celtic in the draw for the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

In the other semi-final, Hibernian have been paired with Dundee United.

Hearts are looking to reach their first Scottish Cup final since their 1998 victory over Rangers.

Hibernian got through to the last four with a home win over St Mirren at the weekend.

The Edinburgh club will be widely tipped to reach the final at Hampden in May as they currently lie in third place in the Premier League under Tony Mowbray this season.

But the Tannadice side will be looking for a major improvement on their last performance at the national stadium.

United manager Ian McCall appeared to be on his way out of the club after the 7-1 drubbing by Rangers in the Scottish League Cup semi-final earlier this season.

Hearts were also unsuccessful in that competition when they were beaten in extra time by Motherwell at Easter Road in the other semi.

But the prospect of facing Celtic, who comfortably defeated Clyde 5-0 in the quarter-final on Sunday, is a daunting one for head coach John Robertson and his team.

Scottish Cup semi-finals

Hearts v Celtic

Dundee United v Hibernian.

Ties to be played on the weekend of April 9 and 10.