MALLAN AIMS TO MAKE HIS OWN HIBS MEMORIES

STEVIE MALLAN has heard the stories of past cup glories first-hand. Hibs captain David Gray still tells him about his stoppage-time winner against Rangers in 2016 and the scenes that followed in Leith as a 114-year Scottish Cup curse was ended. And veteran left-back Lewis Stevenson can recall being part of the side that lifted the 2007 League Cup by beating Kilmarnock 5-1. Now Mallan, who has never played in a senior final, is determined to make some memories of his own after Tuesday’s win over Alloa set up a last-four clash with St Johnstone. ‘Of course we have our sights on silverware,’ said the 24-year-old midfielder. ‘We’ve been in the last three major cup semi-finals but we want to be pushing to get to finals. The defeat to Hearts in our last one still hurts. We wanted to be in the Scottish Cup final this Sunday with the chance to win the cup. But we still want to get to a final this season and we’re on the right track. ‘Lifting a trophy is something I’ve always wanted to do. David Gray and Darren McGregor tell me all the stories about winning the Scottish Cup in 2016 and the aftermath of that. I want a little taste and hopefully it comes this season. ‘Every time we’ve come up against the Old Firm this season — except against Celtic at Parkhead — we’ve done well. So we have every chance no matter who we play.’ Mallan admits the hurt of losing to Hearts in the Scottish Cup remains a huge motivation for Jack Ross’s side. ‘It can drive us on. We were really down in the dressing room,’ he added. ‘It didn’t go our way but the manager says it’s moments like that where you have to remember how you felt and take that into your next big cup game.’ Mallan played a huge role in sending Hibs to the semis after a Paul Hanlon own goal left them trailing to Alloa. Climbing off the bench, he set up Christian Doidge’s equaliser and had a hand in the own goal from Nicky Jamieson that settled the tie. Yet he is keen not to be pigeon-holed as an impact player. ‘No player wants to be on the bench, he admitted. ‘We all want to be in that starting XI. And, as soon as you get your chance on the pitch, you have to take it. ‘The manager says any time I come off the bench he wants me to bring something to the team. ‘He wanted me to go on against Alloa and keep the ball, move it faster and create chances. ‘But I don’t want to get into that niche of doing too well off the bench. I want to fight my way into the team and stay there.’