Mayhem won’t spoil our triumph, says Stubbs
ALAN STUBBS last night insisted that none of the unsavoury post-match events at Hampden would detract from the sporting achievement he and the Hibs players felt following their remarkable victory.
The Easter Road boss will go down in history as the man who ended the Scottish Cup hex that stretched back to 1902.
He did so with a club bombarded with abuse for their failings, a team constantly questioned for their bottle and a squad sapped of stamina after a marathon season which led to a promotion play-off flop.
‘We must accept what it is, but it won’t take away the shine that’s in our dressing room,’ said Stubbs of the postmatch chaos and violence.
‘They’re celebrating like a team that’s just won the Scottish Cup. They have created history.
‘I said to them before the game: “Don’t be part of history, make it”. And they’ve certainly done that. I’m so proud of them.
‘I was lucky enough to win the Scottish Cup as a player (with Celtic) and now I’m a winner as manager.
‘It is not just about me, it is about everyone at the club and I am delighted for them. They’ve had accusations thrown at them and everyone is entitled to their opinion — but they have had a lot of bad luck.
‘People questioned their mentality and character, so I am ecstatic for them.
‘To come back from losing the lead showed a lot of character and it was good to get over the line in one of these competitions.’ Stubbs, who also led Hibs to the League Cup Final, where they lost to Ross County, revealed that his winners’ medal will be auctioned off to raise money for charity.
That struck a dignified note on a dire day for the reputation of the Scottish game despite the match being so entertaining.
‘My medal will be getting donated. I will auction it off to the highest bidder and it will go to a good cause,’ he said. ‘I got a letter off a lady who lost a baby in child birth and she’s trying to raise money for machines, so that will be one of them. I’ll maybe split the money between three charities.’
Stubbs revealed how he urged supporters embracing him to return to their seats so that players and fans could enjoy a proper Hampden celebration.
‘My initial concern after the game was for the fans to get off the pitch so they could celebrate it properly,’ said Stubbs.
‘A few of them wanted to hug me but I was pushing them away and saying: “Don’t spoil it, enjoy it”.’