determined to improve upon the high standard set start of something big Club will not be resting on its laurels

For Ritchie, the turnaround in his cup final fortunes could not be more obvious. Two years ago he was in tears and had to be consoled by Richard Gough, when as a 20-year-old he was on the end of the 5-1 Scottish Cup final thrashing by Rangers.

This time round the youngster, who signed a new two-year deal with the Tynecastle club on Wednesday, was the pick of the defenders on show.

Gordon Durie, who scored a hat trick in the last Scottish Cup final between the teams, and by Ritchie's own admission gave him a torrid time, was cancelled out in the air by some timely challenges.

Before kick-off, Ritchie had predicted that the script had been written for Ally McCoist to score a goal in his last game for Rangers. Although his prediction came true, it was too late to save the Ibrox club.

However both men had an almighty scrap once the Rangers legend came on to try and save the game.

Ritchie said: ''Ally accused me of going over the ball, but that's not my game. It was a 50-50 ball, there to be won. If he thought I tried to go over the ball and do him some damage then I apologise. That's not my game. I had a few hellos with Ally, but it was sorted out.''

Looking to the significance of the Hearts victory and the need for new players to strengthen the team even further Ritchie added: ''We don't have the money Celtic and Rangers have got, but I think Jim Jefferies has the know-how and we can run the Old Firm close once again.

''On the trophy front, hopefully Hearts fans won't have to wait another 36 years before we win a cup again. That is such a long time without a trophy, especially for the so-called third biggest team in Scotland.''

From his own point of view Ritchie said lifting the cup had been the best feeling of his young life.

McCann said that there had been great self-belief in the Hearts camp going into the game.

''We knew it would be difficult but, strangely, we felt we were favourites, there was so much self-belief,'' he said.

''On the day I thought we played a more compact game.

''Throughout the season our play was all about pressing the ball and hitting teams quickly. However, when you press Rangers they can sometimes pick you off and play through you.

''That's what has happened at Tynecastle in previous games during the season between us and we were determined to keep our shape this time round which we did.''

Locke, who lifted the cup along with captain for the day Steve Fulton, said it had been the greatest moment of his life.

''It was difficult watching the game, but I kicked every ball out there. The win takes the pressure off us regarding silverware, but next season people will be expecting us to challenge the Old Firm so there will be a different sort of pressure on our shoulders.''

Locke, who is a dyed-in-the-wool Hearts supporter, said he had tears in his eyes when he saw his dad in the stand as the victory meant so much to his whole family.

Goalscorer Stephane Adam, who has been a fixture in Jim Jefferies line-up this season, said the Scottish Cup victory was his third in a row, the two others coming in France with Metz.

Adam said he believed Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso's hesitation which let him in for the goal had come about because the big Italian didn't realise that he was about to be challenged.

''I am a lucky man,''said Adam. ''Saturday was a great day for the club. I won two finals with Metz but this means more, it's just brilliant.''

Another of the foreign imports, midfielder Stefano Salvatori, agreed with his French colleague that winning the Scottish Cup had been one of the highlights of his career.

Strong praise from a man who has played for AC Milan in an era which included Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Franco Baresi.