WILLIE Finnigan, a member of Hibernian's championship-winning side in season 1947-48, has died in hospital in Oxford. He was 93.

Finnigan joined Hibs in 1937 when he was brought to the club from junior side Bo'ness Cadora by manager Willie McCartney. Originally signed as an outside left, he switched to inside right to form an effective partnership with the then emerging right winger Gordon Smith.

He helped Hibs win the inaugural Summer Cup in 1941, scoring twice in the final against Rangers at Hampden as the Edinburgh side came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

Later that year Finnigan was part of the Hibs team that recorded a remarkable 8-1 win over Rangers.

The Easter Road side were evolving into the leading team in the country and Finnigan helped them to a league title success in 1947-48, the first of three championships Hibs were to win over next four years.

Finnigan left Hibs to join Dunfermline as player/coach in 1950 but was forced to retire two years later after breaking his ankle. He moved to Oxford in the 1990s.

A Hibs spokesman said yesterday: "Our thoughts are with the Finnigan family."

Taken from the Scotsman