McGregor desperate to end 114-year wait to lift the cup
DID you know that during the time of James II in the mid-15th century, there was a rough, primitive pathway in the vicinity of modern-day Leith Walk? Of course you did. It was the road Hibernian paraded the Scottish Cup down when they last won it. Ok, so it wasn’t quite that long ago but when you haven’t lifted the domestic game’s premier knockout trophy since 1902 it probably feels that way.
“There is nobody living who has actually seen Hibs win the Scottish Cup,” reflected Darren McGregor in the aftermath of the current Easter Road crop’s semi-final victory over Dundee United on Saturday. “There is one fan, Sam Martinez, who celebrated his 106th birthday in February so he missed it by a few years but we want to do it for people like that and ourselves.”
When it comes to the Scottish Cup, Hibernian certainly put the word “long” into the term ‘long-suffering’. McGregor, a Hibs fan through and through, has suffered with the rest of them down the years. The prospect of returning to Hampden next month and getting his hands on this elusive clump of silverware is a mind-mangling thought for a man whose family is dyed in the green and white. There’s no escaping the cup fever.
“I was talking with Paul Hanlon in the ice bath after the match and I actually couldn’t comprehend winning the Scottish Cup,” added McGregor. “I just hope I’m in with a chance of playing when the final comes and I’ll deal with it then. I’m in around it 24/7 so I know what the fans are thinking and how they’re feeling but the chance to win promotion and lift the Scottish Cup means this could be one of the best seasons Hibs have ever had.
“If you overthink all the possibilities and the prospect of taking the trophy down Leith Walk then you’ll frazzle your mind. Most of my family and friends are Hibs fans. My partner’s dad, Pat, is in his late 60s and has been a Hibee all his life. He’s been a season ticket holder for years and sponsored the under-14s and under-15s. All that doesn’t mean it means more to me than the other players but I’m desperate to do well for Hibs.”
A nervy tussle with relegationhaunted United went the whole nine yards and a bit more as Hibernian emerged triumphant in a penalty shoot-out.
Jason Cummings, whose botched chip from the spot in the first-half caused such a stir it’s probably being watched and laughed at by remote tribes in Sarawak, redeemed himself with the winning kick.
“He is a young boy at 20 but it shows the character of him to step up and take another penalty in the shoot out after already missing one,” added McGregor. “He doesn’t overthink things. It took b**** to step up again.”