Leith men step closer to claiming Holy Grail
STARVED of success in this grand old tournament since 1902, for Hibs the Scottish Cup represents a quest for the Holy Grail. As their ever-colourful, ever- optimistic manager Alan Stubbs pointed out earlier this season: ‘ Even Indiana Jones got that in the end’.
He may yet get his wish. At Tynecastle in the initial fifthround tie, the Easter Road side had somehow survived t he Temple of Djoum. Goals from A rn au do ft hat ilk and Sam Nicholson before half time had the visitors buried deep in a footballing snakepit with the doors closing fast.
Stubbs may not have been wearing a fedora that night in Gorgie but, had he been doing so, he’d surely have doffed it in the direction of his young team after they escaped to snatch a replay through late goals from Jason Cummings and Paul Hanlon.
Last night, in t he hotlyanticipated sequel to that first blockbuster, Harrison Ford himself would doubtless have approved of this swashbuckling Hibs side.
In the first half in particular they were outstanding as they put Hearts to the sword to remain on course to land this prize they covet so much.
Already with a League Cup Final to look forward to, they could yet have another date with destiny in May after booking a last-eight tie with holders Inverness Caley Thistle at home.
The hero of the night was Cummings, with his fourth consecutive derby goal against Hearts. He was also the villain, when he was sent off towards the end after Blazej Augustyn had also received his marching orders for the men in maroon.
Yet if the young forward and equally youthful midfielder Liam Henderson had mostly excelled, once again one star shone brightest in the Leith night sky.
Roy Keane, black bunnet pulled down over his trademark growl, was here to view Anthony Stokes with a view to a Euro 2016 call-up.
But even the notoriously hardto-please Republic of Ireland assistant manager can’t fail to have been impressed by John McGinn. And not just because the Manchester United legend was sitting to the left of McGinn’s grandfather, former Celtic chairman Jack.
Young McGinn is the key cog in a side who were this week likened to Tony Mowbray’s swashbucklers, a team who ultimately won the League Cup under John Collins in 2007.
That comparison came from midfielder Kevin Thomson, a survivor of that era, and a key performer last night. He described the team’s display in that 2-2 draw at Tynecastle as ‘fearless’.
Stubbs’ vintage again showed that lack of intimidation when they went straight for the throats of their Premiership visitors.
McGinn, deservedly on the verge of a full Scotland cap, powered through the midfield and set up David Gray in space. The right-back’s cross at the second attempt was deftly diverted home by Cummings.
It was just a pity the goal was not viewed by a wider audience, with Champions League football last night meaning there was no live television broadcast.
DESPITE being without a derby win in seven, Hibs were the better team for the opening 45 minutes. But 1-0 is a slender lead and, after Cummings had missed a one-onone when t hrough on Neil Alexander, there was controversy when referee John Beaton took what seemed an eternity to flag an Abiola Dauda header offside.
Juanma came close after the break and then a close-range netted finish was flagged offside.
Augustyn picked up a second yellow for throwing the ball away and, within t hree minutes, Cummings had followed him for kicking it away.
Stubbs has built a resilient team out of the ashes of the abysmal season under Terry Butcher when the club was relegated. One capable of looking adversity in the eye and staring it down rather than wilting.
Compare and contrast that to the club’s last Scottish Cup Final appearance in 2013 when the players left Hampden smiling, seemingly pleased at ‘ only’ having been beaten 3-0 by Celtic; 12 months after losing the Final 5-1 against Hearts.
But it’s on with this season’s quest. And the treasure they crave lies within the temple — Hampden Park. With Stubbs cracking the whip in the Indiana Jones role, they are daring to dream of a Hollywood ending.