Martin hopes to make most of cup final after missing party at Hibs
THE greatest day in Hibs’ history came a little too soon for Scott Martin.
The midfielder remembers watching from afar at Hampden, club tracksuit on, but cup- tied, on the fringes and unable to really connect with that unforgettable 2016 Scottish Cup triumph. Even afterwards, it was a family party for the academy prospect rather than the wild celebrations which engulfed Edinburgh for days afterwards.
A chance to win the SPFL Trust Trophy might not be on the same scale as what transpired back then, but is a chance for the Hamilton Accies star, right in the thick of it, to really savour a big occasion.
“I was in and about the first team but I had played in a previous round with Forfar so I couldn’t be involved,” he remembered. “The club had actually spoken about me playing in the Cup or not for Forfar as I would be ruled out. I was at the game in my tracksuit and it was special watching your mates out there at Hampden and do something so special for Hibs.
“All of the boys were great with me, you had the likes of John McGinn, Dylan McGeouch, Marvin Bartley, Jason Cummings, there were a lot of good lads in there. You had the likes of Lewis Stevenson and Paul Hanlon and they were always great with me. I am sure in years to come that squad will always be remembered for what they achieved that day.
“I wasn’t on the park or anything at the end, I was just in the stand with a few of the other boys who weren’t involved. So I didn’t get to go on the bus on the day or anything. I knew I was cup tied. I wasn’t even involved in the celebrations because I was still considered a youngster and in that limbo stage of not being a senior player yet. I don’t regret playing for Forfar because there was never going to be a chance of me making the cup final team.
“You just had to look at the quality that was involved, John McGinn, Dylan McGeouch, Marvin Bartley. The manager wasn’t going to put me in ahead of these guys. I couldn’t have picked a better bunch of centre midfielders to learn from. They taught me so much about the game and I learned so much from all of them.”
On Sunday, Accies take on Raith Rovers at the Falkirk Stadium, and Martin is all too aware that such occasions cannot be taken for granted. Silverware could also have a transformative effect on Hamilton’s fight to stay in the Championship, adding another layer of intrigue to what will be a momentous day for both clubs.
“This opportunity might not come again, it might be my only final,” Martin said. “I want to savour it and make the most of it and all the boys will be the same. We have to give ourselves the best platform to go and win it. It would give us a massive boost if we win it, not just for us but the town. The fans are buzzing for it and we need them on our side.
“For our family and friends it is a big occasion and if we win it will give everyone a boost and maybe that’s what we need to stay in the league as that is our main objective.
“Winning the cup could change the dynamic of our season. It would bring some extra positivity to the place.
“We have recruited well in January and they have helped lift the place. If we win the cup and stay up then it would be seen as a successful season.”