GREEN PARTY
Scottish Cup win and sealing third place would top 2016 heroics, says Hanlon
SCOTTISH CUP hero Paul Hanlon believes a Hibernian triumph in this year’s tournament will surpass even the glories of 2016.
But only if they can also see off Aberdeen’s challenge for third place in the Premiership in this week’s head-to-head at Pittodrie.
Hanlon was a key figure in his boyhood heroes’ hoodoo-busting Cup win of five years ago.
Yet the Hibs skipper says this season has the potential to top the achievement of that first victory in 114 years. The central defender, a stand-out in Saturday’s semi-final win over Dundee United at Hampden, declared: ‘If we were to do both this year, finishing third in the league and winning the Cup, that would be my best season. There is no doubt about that.
‘Obviously it’s been difficult with Covid restrictions, a tough season for everyone involved in football, with a lot of uncertainty for
everyone. But, if we could finish off the season that way, it would definitely be my best achievement as a Hibs player — and maybe our best-ever season.’ Aberdeen can go level on points with Hibs, who appeared to have third place sewn up at one stage, with a home win on Wednesday night. The league position itself no longer carries the most significant prize of a Europa League play-off spot — and the guarantee of Europa Conference League group-stage football. Even with that prize now going to the Cup winners, however, Hanlon insists Hibs are desperate to achieve their highest league finish since season 2004-05. ‘It’s huge for us to finish third,’ insisted Hanlon. ‘I think it’s 16 years since Hibs finished that high up the table, so it would be a huge achievement. ‘I’ve never finished in that position as a first-team player, so it’s massive for us. ‘But it’s where the club wants to be — and where the club should be. ‘It’s just up to us to finish that job off come Wednesday.’ Reflecting on the victory over United, Hanlon added: ‘It was obviously an amazing feeling at full-time and the changing room was absolutely bouncing for a while after the game. ‘Everyone has worked so hard to get to this stage — and we’re now one step closer to lifting the trophy. ‘Everyone was on a real high but we knew we had to come down to earth quickly, with a massive game on Wednesday to come.’ It still looks as if there will be no supporters allowed into the final on Saturday week, with the SFA’s best attempts to find an alternative venue to Hampden — unable to host fans because of Euro 2020 commitments — finding no takers. Hanlon, having supported Hibs all his days, understands how much the diehards are missing their football. ‘We’ve played for so long now without fans,’ he said, adding: ‘I don’t think we’ll ever get used to it. ‘I don’t know what the thoughts are but, if we could get fans in, everyone would welcome that. ‘But, if it’s not to be the case, it’s up to us to do our jobs — and bring that trophy back for the fans stuck at home. ‘A lot of people have paid a lot of money to buy season tickets to keep the club going. ‘They deserve a reward and, if they’re not able to get into the game, we can at least give them a win. After all, we’ve dealt with the absence of supporters well all year.’