Hibs have the drive for another Cup win
HIBS are praying the old adage about waiting for buses also applies to Scottish Cups after dumping Ayr United to book a semi-final spot.
Jubilant Hibees fans sang: “Here we go – two in a row!” throughout a match in which the holders completely outclassed the Honest Men.
On this form, retaining the trophy they won last May after a torturous 114-year wait looks a distinct possibility.
Neil Lennon would give it all up to secure promotion.
But the Hibs gaffer last night conceded he is relishing the prospect of returning to the national stadium – the scene of so many glory days with Celtic – as Hibs boss.
“I’m used to going to Hampden with Celtic for Finals and semi-finals,” he said.
“It’s very exciting for me to do that with Hibs now – and I’m really proud.
“It was a strong, emphatic, professional performance. We looked head and shoulders above Ayr – and Ayr are a tough nut to crack.
“They are resilient. They have had a brilliant time over the last 18 months with promotion, fighting their corner in the Championship and making the quarter-finals of the Cup.
“That speaks volumes for our performance today – but I want more of that transferred into the league now.”
Their league form may have been disappointing of late, but Hibs were on fire from the start against United.
Just six minutes had passed when the sublime John McGinn opened the scoring with a perfectly placed, 20-yard curler into Greg Fleming’s top left-hand corner. It got Easter Road rocking. And just four minutes later Ayr were reeling when whistler Nick Walsh penalised Daryll Meggatt for colliding with Martin Boyle on the edge of the United box.
The contact looked outside the area but Walsh pointed to the spot, allowing Jason Cummings to stroke home from the spot.
As the fog that enveloped the Hibees’ home ground all morning began to lift, the players’ focus sharpened.
Ian McCall’s side were in danger of being steamrollered.
But against the run of play, Craig McGuffie pulled a goal back – and it was an absolute peach.
The midfielder steadied himself under a fluffed defensive clearance 25 yards out, then, eyes fixed on the ball, he rocketed a rising half-volley straight into Hibs ’keeper Ofir Marciano’s top right-hand corner.
It gave the Honest Men – and their fans – hope.
But centre-half Scott McKenna quickly extinguished it by launching himself, practically waist-high, into a shocking challenge on McGinn.
The Ayr defender had already been booked for smashing through the back of Grant Holt.
This time – and with the interval just one minute away – the ref flashed a straight red.
Hibs, with their one-man advantage, took full control in the second half, weaving patterns across the pitch that mesmerised tiring United.
Martin Boyle had the ball in the net – albeit unconventionally – with 15 minutes to go, only to see his wildly sclaffed tap-in ruled out for offside.
But the Hibees got the third goal their performance deserved on 78 minutes when substitute James Keatings, on for Cummings, headed David Gray’s cross in off the crossbar.
For Ayr boss Ian McCall, all that remained was to ponder what might have been.
“I was very proud of how much effort and endeavour there was,” he said.
“But it was very, very difficult because of a few key moments in the game.
“I haven’t seen them yet – I’m looking forward to seeing them later.”