Hibs fan is up against his cup-winning heroes
HIBS’ Scottish Cup triumph capped the best week of Ross Allum’s life – but the Edinburgh City talisman is desperate to spoil the party when his boyhood heroes come to show off the Holy Grail at Meadowbank.
Allum, 27, was at Hampden along with his Hibs-daft family on May 21 as the 114-year wait to lift the old trophy came to a dramatic end with a 3-2 win over Rangers.
The Hibees’ first match back in Edinburgh since finally putting the hoodoo to bed will see them make the short trip to face the Citizens on July 7 in a pre-season friendly which has become increasingly high-profile.
Not only will the Scottish Cup be paraded before kick-off but it will be the first time Neil Lennon takes charge of his new side on Scottish soil. Such is the expected demand, the encounter has been made all-ticket and a sell-out is predicted.
Allum, who bagged 28 goals as City won promotion to the SPFL for the first time in their history last term, said: “I’ve not stopped going on about the Scottish Cup win since it happened.
“My whole family are massive Hibs fans so when I heard that our manager Gary Jardine was trying to get them to Meadowbank for a friendly that was really exciting.
“It was the best week I can remember – not that I can remember too much of it now! To win promotion to the SPFL for the first time in City’s history on May 14, then watching Hibs win the Scottish Cup on the 21st was just incredible.
“I never thought I would see the day that stand at Meadowbank was full – and for it to be against Hibs in Neil Lennon’s first game is brilliant.”
Although he would love to condemn Lennon to a chastening first outing in the capital as Hibs boss, Allum reckons the appointment is a master-stroke.
Speaking as Edinburgh City promoted their season tickets, which are the cheapest in the SPFL this season, he continued: “As a fan I’m delighted. What he achieved with Celtic was great and I think he’ll have a bit of a budget at Hibs.
“He brings experience and a winning mentality to the club and I think he has already said a few things that have been really impressive.”