Ian McCall
Former Partick Thistle manager on BBC Radio Scotland

More pressure from Hearts and this time Ben Garuccio crosses for Peter Haring, whose header is over.

Ian McCall
Former Partick Thistle manager on BBC Radio Scotland

"D'you mind sitting down, mate?"

Allan Preston
BBC Scotland summariser on Sportsound

A Hearts set piece comes in from Oliver Bozanic but Partick Thistle stand firm. Bozanic then launches a long throw-in towards the six-yard box and the Jags are alert to clear.

Image source, SNS

Partick Thistle have weathered that early storm but t's clear Hearts are trying to use their physical advantage by loading the box every time they can.

More mayhem in the Thistle box. This time Oliver Bozanic delivers for Steven MacLean but his effort is blocked and the hosts eventually scramble clear.

First chance goes the way of Hearts. Ben Garuccio exchanges passes with Oliver Bozanic and crosses for Christophe Berra, who heads wide.

Hearts' Steven MacLean kicks off.

Partick Thistle and Hearts players are on the pitch, the handshakes have taken place and it's almost time for kick-off.

Partick Thistle manager Gary Caldwell told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound: "It's an exciting night and one we're really looking forward to. At home no matter who you are playing you have an advantage.

"We believe that at our best we can give them a really good game.

"Everyone has an opportunity tonight to show people how good they are. It will be a massive test with the physicality Hearts have. We have to stand up to that and take the game to Hearts when we can. We’ve prepared for that and can’t wait."

And on Partick Thistle last beating Hearts in the Scottish Cup when they last won the tournament in 1921, Caldwell added: "Football’s about re-writing history and we have that chance tonight."

Partick Thistle had made a positive start to 2019 with two draws followed by five wins in a row but defeats over the past nine days against Ross County and Dunfermline Athletic means they are bottom of the Scottish Championship.

Gary Caldwell's side are only a point off Falkirk and Alloa Athletic and a win tonight would not only restore some confidence but give them a lucrative semi-final tie.

Image source, SNS

Hearts' last win was in the Scottish Cup, last month's 4-0 defeat against Auchinleck Talbot. Craig Levein's side go into tonight's game after two defeats and a draw in their past three matches.

The Tynecastle side last reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup in 2012, when they went on to in the tournament.

Hearts manager Craig Levein has been speaking toBBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound pre-match.

"This is a really important match for us and I wanted to put out as strong a team as possible and win the game tonight," he said. "We’ve brought Steven MacLean back in to play up front with Uche Ikpeazu.

"I expect a top match. I look at the calibre of players Partick Thistle have got and I’m wary of thinking - because we’re in a league above them and they’re at the bottom of the Championship - that this will be an easy game for us.

"We managed to get through to the semi- finals of the League Cup and that was a great experience for our boys. We’re hoping we can do the same tonight."

Image source, SNS

Also today, Scotland Women beat Iceland in the Algarve Cup. Watch the goals below.

The question is, will Partick Thistle make it two Championship teams in the semi-finals? It's 17 years since they last made the last four.

Hearts will be eager to secure their second semi-final appearance of the season, having lost 3-0 to Celtic in the League Cup.

It's been almost a year since Thistle took on Hearts, with the Jags relegated at the end of last term. Last season's meetings featured two 1-1 draws and a 3-0 win for Hearts.

It's just over two years since Partick beat the Tynecastle side.

Image source, SNS