HIGH AMBITION
Chris targets final berth to cap swansong at cup holders
CHRIS ROBERTS is determined to go out on a high by taking Hibs to a cup final and leaving them in the best possible position to win the SWPL1 title.
The Ainslie Park boss will join Bristol City as first-team coach and technical director for their age nine to 19 programme after next weekend’s game at Aberdeen.
But before he bows out after seven years Roberts has his sights set on wins against Rangers in tomorrow’s SSE Scottish Women’s Cup semi-final then the Dons seven days later.
He said: “Probably the most emotional part was speaking to the players and letting them know I was leaving.
“I’m sure there will be a moment after the Aberdeen game when it will hit home but I need to try my hardest to make sure our focus is 100 per cent on the football.
“It’s such high stakes at this end of the season and we can’t afford to lose concentration.
“I’m really only thinking about my job at Hibs at the moment and the players are only thinking about success – cup finals and trying to win the league.”
With Hibs trailing leaders Glasgow City by just two points and in with a real
It was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make CHRIS ROBERTS
shot of ending their rivals’ dominance in the league the decision to quit now was a tough one.
Roberts said: “It was a heart-wrenching decision because they are an incredible group of players.
“It was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. But I’ve essentially been doing two full-time jobs – my own day job and working with Hibs. There are not a huge amount of opportunities in the women’s game in Scotland to be full-time with a club.
“I’m hoping that will change in future because the level the players are playing at – certainly at Hibs – deserves it.”
And ahead of tomorrow’s last-four clash at Forthbank he added: “Winning the Scottish Cup last year was a phenomenal experience. We want to keep the trophy in Edinburgh but we’re certainly not looking past what will be a very tough Rangers side. “I’ve been so impressed by Rangers since Amy McDonald has been there – she is a top coach.” Tomorrow: SSE Scottish Women’s Cup semi-finals (Forthbank) – Glasgow City v Forfar Farmington (noon), Rangers v Hibs (3.30). FORMER stars of both clubs turned the clock back to pay tribute to Saints’ Scottish Cup-winning skipper Dave Mackay in front of 1500 fans.
The Dark Blues were 3-0 up at the break after goals from Mark O’Hara, Jack Lambert and Sofien Moussa.
After the restart ex-stars got the boots on with Dens boss Neil McCann and his No.2 Graham Gartland joining in.
Stoke midfielder and lifelong Dee fan Charlie Adam also played, with Chelsea youth coach Jody Morris back in a Saints jersey.
Denny Johnstone got a goal back when he fired a 25-yarder past Rab Douglas.
Murray Davidson popped up in goal for Saints but Dens pair Steven Milne and Max Anderson killed off any prospect of a career change as the scoreline reached 5-1.
But in the closing minutes man of the moment Mackay tucked away a spot-kick and Roddy Grant rounded off the scoring with a cheeky finish for Saints’ third.