The Scottish Cup replay between Hibs and Hearts is heading for a sell-out following an ‘unprecedented’ rush for tickets.
Nearly all of the 16,600 briefs available to home fans have been snapped up within 48 hours of going on sale.
The remaining few that have not already been reserved by the club’s 8,500 season-ticket holders are expected to go before tomorrow morning’s 10am deadline.
The Leith club’s fans are brimming with confidence following the manner in which they watched their team score two late goals at Tynecastle on Sunday to secure a fifth round replay.
And with Tuesday’s tie not being shown live on television due to UEFA broadcasting rules, a Hibs official has described the demand for tickets as ‘unprecedented’.
Hearts are expected to sell-out their 3,800 allocation for the showdown, meaning that the derby looks set to be played before a capacity 20,421 crowd at Easter Road.
After confirming that the general sale of tickets had closed yesterday, A Hibs spokesperson said: “The club would like to thank all fans for turning out in numbers for the Edinburgh Derby – we appreciate your support.”
Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs, meanwhile, will get a better indication today whether Dylan McGeouch will be available for Saturday’s Championship match at Livingston after the midfielder was forced off through injury after 31 minutes at Tynecastle.
The former Celtic player was replaced by Kevin Thomson, while fellow midfielder Marvin Bartley made the most of his return to the line-up with a solid display after Fraser Fyvie was ruled out with a knee injury.
Stubbs was thrilled with the attitude his players showed to score two goals in the final ten minutes and admits Bartley was a stand-out.
Stubbs said: “He was immense and he does that job in front of the back four really well.
“His strength, his power – he broke things up. He got on the ball more on Sunday and started things.
“We had a couple of disruptions with injuries. Thomson came on and played the occasion really well and gave us a calming influence.”
