Hearts boss Robbie Neilson wants his team to end a cup jinx against Aberdeen this weekend.

The Tynecastle side have fallen at the first hurdle of the Scottish Cup every time since their 5-1 trophy triumph over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian in 2012.

In the three tournaments since lifting the cup they have lost to Hibs and twice to Celtic, failing to score a single goal along the way.

Reflecting on that fallow run for the club, Neilson said: "It was a huge game back then and people are probably still celebrating it.

"I think it is time to put that to bed and try and win it again.

"We have got a good squad here with confident players and feel we can do something this season.

"It is important that the players understand it is a huge competition for Hearts.

"It has got a lot of history here and we want to try and continue that history and make some of our own."

Hearts recent league form is peppered with draws, which has led to some frustration in sections of the support.

The team has lost ground on Aberdeen and Celtic but Neilson hopes they are getting closer to producing more rounded performances.

He said: "We went through a period where we defended really well and maybe didn't score as many goals and we would have liked.

"Now were scoring lots of goals and defensively letting goals in.

"We've probably not picked up the points that we should have.

"I'm pleased with where we are. We drew with Celtic and St Johnstone and probably should have drawn with Aberdeen but lost a crazy goal at the end.

"We can compete. Were sitting in a really good position in the league and we need to sustain that.

"Saturday gives us the opportunity to put that aside and concentrate on going and winning a cup."