No split loyalties for Brewster in semi-final

After a frustratingly short association with Hibs and an enduring one with Dundee United, with whom he lived a schoolboy’s dream, it's no surprise where Craig Brewster's loyalties lie when the teams meet in Saturday’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

The former striker, now 54, grew up supporting the Tannadice side and scored a Scottish Cup winner for them but could not contribute to ending Hibs' own Scottish Cup hex in the one season he had at the club in 200102. They were knocked in the fourth round by Rangers.

“I had one year at Hibs when I came back from Greece in 2001,” Brewster recalled. “I was confident I would get another contract, butskypulledoutofscottish football. Rod Petrie went: ‘Well, I am not signing any player until I know what is happening’.

“I really enjoyed my time at Hibs. It is nice to see them do well. But I think everyone knows where my priorities lie on Saturday…”

How could it be otherwise? Brewster’s winning goal against Rangers at Hampden in 1994 changed his life.

“Well, having stood on the terraces five times watching your team and going home disappointed and suddenly finding yourself in a cup final and scoring the winning goal to beat Rangers… the Rangers team that day was full of internationals and they were going for the double treble and we were so far underdogs it was not true."ivan (Golac) really made sure we believed. I think the performance from every player – everyone played to the maximum. That’s what has to happen to win tournaments. You need everyone pulling and your big players to come up with the goods.”