Whirlwind week ends cruelly for McGregor
FROM a Boys’ Own Story to the bottom of a black, black pit, Darren McGregor has been through the kind of week which proves there are few careers as unpredictable as that of a professional footballer. Just a week ago, he spoke lyrically inside Easter Road about the joy of playing for the Hibernian team he supported as a kid in Leith and scoring twice against Queen of the South to secure their return to the Premiership after three long years away. He was, in his own words, on cloud nine after a tough rise to the top which has brought two cruciate ligament injuries at St Mirren and rejection by Rangers. He needs no lessons in how quickly things can change, though.
It was the 31-year-old centre-half’s error which allowed Adam Rooney to put Hibs behind the eight-ball after just 12 seconds. Then, when they had battled back to 2-2, he instinctively stuck out a leg to block a Jonny Hayes shot four minutes from time — and saw it change direction and curl into the net.
‘Football’s like this — full of highs and lows,’ said McGregor afterwards. ‘People ask me why I stay quite neutral with my emotions.
‘This is why. Last week, I scored twice to help us win promotion to the Premiership. This week, I’ve assisted two for Aberdeen and we’ve lost a semi-final.
‘I’m hard on myself. I could have done better.
‘I’m just gutted. We didn’t help ourselves in the first half-an-hour.
‘We were poor and Aberdeen pressed us well. I was caught cold in the first few seconds with a stupid square pass that Adam Rooney capitalised on. Fate just wasn’t on my side on the day.
‘Hayes hit a mediocre shot, at best, which clipped me on the shin. It was like I was watching it in slow motion.
‘I’m just thankful we won the Scottish Cup last year and wrapped up the league.’
It was the introduction of Grant Holt for Fraser Fyvie on 33 minutes that turned it for Hibs. The veteran striker was excellent, scoring once and playing a one-two with McGeouch for the equaliser.
Holt revealed last night that he has not been offered a new contract, but believes he showed that he can still do a job.
‘That has been eight weeks and the club has not offered me a deal,’ he said.
‘The manager wants me to stay and we’ll see if a contract comes.
‘I’m not stupid. I’m 36 and I’ve seen clubs go in a different direction before. You saw what I did in this game, what I did against Hearts. Have I scored enough goals? Probably not.
‘What I will say is that the guy next to me (Jason Cummings) has scored 20-odd goals and that’s not a fluke. He’s come off the pitch without a scratch on his body.’