Hearts deliver Motherwell, Dundee United and Ross County European boost after victory in tense Hibs Scottish Cup clash

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Motherwell's pursuit of European football has got that little bit easier after Hearts' 2-1 win Scottish Cup semi-final win over Hibs.The Tynecastle side raced into a two-goal lead over their Edinburgh rivals with a pair of excellent goals from Ellis Simms and Stephen Kingsley.Fir Park academy graduate Chris Cadden got one back for Hibs, who were reduced to 10 men after Joe Newell's sending off in the second half.Dundee United, Ross County and the Steelmen may have been watching on with interest, due to the implications it has for their pursuit of Europe.Hibs will finish this term in the Premiership's bottom six, meaning the only passage to continental activity next season was via winning the Scottish Cup.Now third-placed Hearts will face Celtic or Rangers in the final, Euro placement ahead of Scotland's showpiece domestic final next month is passed down to fifth.Graham Alexander's men now know that finish would guarantee a second round qualification spot in the Europa Conference League.Fourth meanwhile will head into that competition at the third qualifying stage.

Motherwell are sixth currently and face Rangers a week on Sunday in their first post-split fixture.Trips to Dundee United and Ross County follow, before hosting Hearts ahead of a season finale at Celtic.Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport onTwitter via@LanLiveSport, like us onFacebookor find us onInstagramfor the latest sports news, pictures and video.