WE DIDN’T ‘CHUCK IT’ DURING DERBY, SAYS DOYLE-HAYES

incentive and the boys will be fuming hearing that stuff because it is not true at all. ‘Saturday against Hearts gives us the opportunity to show people they are wrong. ‘There was disappointment, anger, in the dressing room last weekend. ‘But we now have a chance to put it right and we want to take that opportunity. ‘We have good characters in the dressing room who can get the boys going and get morale lifted. Everyone will be ready for the semi-final. It is up to us to show what we can do.’ Doyle-Hayes refutes the notion that Shaun Maloney’s young Hibs squad lacks leaders. He says 2016 Scottish Cup winners Paul Hanlon, Darren McGregor and Lewis Stevenson have had a big role to play this week in helping the squad prepare for Hampden. He also believes the return of defender Ryan Porteous, who is in the middle of a four-game league suspension but is eligible for the cup clash, is a huge pre-derby boost. The Irishman added: ‘These boys who won the Scottish Cup are absolutely massive. We look up to them. The lads in the changing room want to replicate what they have done. ‘They have been speaking to a few boys this week and everyone takes their opinions on board like they are giving you gold. They are very well respected and you always listen to them. ‘Ryan Porteous is a big player for us as well and everyone here is delighted to have him back. ‘He has a lot of experience as well, so it’s great to have a player like Ryan coming back in for this game.’ Should Hibs win the Scottish Cup they would be guaranteed European group-stage football next season and a minimum £2.5million jackpot. Having played on the continent for the first time this season against Croatian side Rijeka in the Europa Conference League, Doyle-Hayes views all of that experience as priceless. The 23-year-old said: ‘The boys here want to play in Europe next season. I had my first taste and I want to get back there. Those are the kind of games you love to play in.’