Kartum's Magic Sends Hearts to the Scottish Cup Semi-Finals
Wow, what a game at Tynecastle! Sander Kartum absolutely stole the show, firing Hearts into the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a stunning brace in their 3-1 win over Dundee. Seriously, this guy's a magician. The January signing from Brann finally bagged his first Hearts goals, and what a way to do it! You could see the talent manager Neil Critchley's been raving about since he arrived – it was on full display.
Kartum's Double Trouble for Dundee
His first goal? A breathtaking 20-yard curler that nestled perfectly in the top corner. Just incredible. Then, to make it even better, he followed it up with an even more audacious finish – an outside-of-the-left-foot screamer! It was one of those moments that leaves you speechless. "We've seen the quality Sander has," Critchley said afterwards, and he wasn't wrong. You could see the confidence growing in him with each touch.
Dundee's Brave Fight, But Hearts Held Firm
Dundee weren’t just going to roll over, though. They put up a real fight. Joe Shaughnessy’s header early in the second half tied things up, and for a minute, you wondered if this was going to be Dundee's day – their first Scottish Cup win since 1910 would have been amazing. But, an unfortunate own goal by Simon Murray and Kartum's second strike proved too much. Even with a late near miss, they couldn't quite turn it around. It was a tough end to their cup run, but their focus now shifts to the fight for Premiership survival.
Tactical Tweaks and Some Key Moments
Both managers made some changes. Critchley switched things up from the previous Edinburgh derby loss, making four changes to his starting lineup. Docherty went from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 formation. There were a few key moments: a disallowed Hearts goal for offside (a bit frustrating for them, I'm sure!), Seun Adewumi hitting the crossbar – so close! – and some brilliant saves by Dundee's keeper, Trevor Carson. It was a really tight, tense game, with chances at both ends. But Kartum's brilliance, and a bit of luck, sealed the deal for Hearts.
What's Next for Hearts and Dundee?
Hearts are now waiting to find out who they'll face in the semi-finals – that depends on the Livingston v St Johnstone game. They've got a league match against Ross County before they can fully turn their attention to Hampden Park. As for Dundee, it’s all about securing their Premiership place now. A massive derby against Dundee United is up next – a game that could be absolutely crucial for their survival. The Scottish Cup is over for them this year, but their season is far from finished.
