The versatile forward recognises the challenges the Edinburgh side will carry ahead of this this high intensity knock-out match but believes the squad have prepared well enough to deliver the result needed to progress to the next round of the competition.
Speaking exclusively to RangersTV ahead of the much-anticipated match, she said: “We’re really excited to get into the semi-final! We just played Spartans recently, so we know to expect a well organised side, but I think if we stick to our game plan and work on what we’re good at we should hopefully find a way to break them down. The main outcome is that we want to get to the final and it is at Tynecastle, it’s a massive opportunity for us.
“It’s different that we’re playing them on their home pitch. I’m sure that they will have a lot of confidence to play on their home pitch, but it doesn’t change our game plan or mindset. We’ll go there with the same outcome to go through to the next round; we’ll work hard to hopefully get the outcome.”
Hay reflected on the squad’s most recent meeting with Debbi McCulloch’s side at Broadwood Stadium when the Light Blues picked up another three key points in their currently unbeaten league campaign run, and emphasised the team will carry confidence from this superb form.
She added: “They are a very well-organised side, they were hard to break down, we came out the game with three points, but it was challenging. We looked over the game recently and have done analysis on parts we need to do better but we can take that into the game on Sunday which will help us a lot.
“We’ve been getting the three points and clean sheets; I think if we keep our confidence high, we’ll be motivated because the outcome is a cup final. If we go there with the right mindset and work hard like we always do, then we should cope with it well.
“We’re a confident team, we know what we are capable of. We raise the standards in training, and we know what to expect from each other, if we stick to our standards then everything should just come into plan.”
It has been an exciting time off the pitch for the Ger after receiving her well-deserved first call-up to the Scotland international squad as Pedro Martinez Losa’s side travel for a double friendly header in Spain next week.
Hay expressed her emotions after receiving the news and said: “I was delighted! So were my family. I’ve played in the youth set up at Scotland so it’s something that you dream to get to in the senior team, to get that call up is massive for me. I couldn’t have done it without the girls at Rangers, they drive the standards at training every day and it makes me a better player. I’m looking forward to it but I’m looking ahead to the semi-final first.”