Hibernian manager Marink Reedijk has admitted his special bond with Hearts goalkeeper Beau Reus will be set aside when the two Edinburgh rivals meet at Hampden on Sunday in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
Reus was in goal as Beveren went through the Belgian second tier unbeaten on their way to clinching the title under Reedijk last season. The pair now find themselves working on either side of Edinburgh's fierce football divide after Reedijk replaced David Gray last month.
A bond built at Beveren
Reedijk said: "When I first came to Hibs he sent me a message and I love the guy to bits because we had something special together. But especially around these matches I love him a bit less. After these matches, I love him again."
He added: "That's quite a special thing to have someone also in this country although he's not in the Hibs and he's in another club. It's special that we have this bond, this connection together. At Beveren, we had the wall of wins and after every win we put a picture on the wall."
A symbolic reunion
Reedijk explained that Beveren ended the season with 28 pictures on the wall, each placed on the individual who featured in a special match. He said: "And then the message was if we ever meet again, then it is more or less the wall comes back together symbolically."
He continued: "Now this is already something for me where you meet someone off the wall. And it will be strange, special. But at the same time I look forward to this match because it's what makes my heart go wilder as a football lover."
