Hibs can get over pain of Cup Final humbling by dumping Jambos, says Ian Murray

By Colin Duncan

1 Dec 2012 00:01

THE former Easter Road captain admits he has been surprised by Hibs' change in fortunes and reckons beating Hearts this weekend can begin the healing process from last season's 5-1 defeat.
Former Hibs star Ian Murray Former Hibs star Ian Murray

IAN MURRAY knows it might take a long time to fully eradicate the painful memories of last season’s crushing 5-1 Scottish Cup Final loss at the hands of Hearts.

However, the former Easter Road skipper believes victory in the fourth round of the same competition tomorrow will at least help kickstart the long healing process for Hibs supporters.

Murray was part of the squad at Hampden in May and was forced to watch from the stand as the club he served so passionately for a decade was humiliated by their biggest rivals.

The fact Hibs go into tomorrow’s Edinburgh derby as favourites speaks volumes for the incredible transformation of Pat Fenlon’s side this season.

Indeed, even Murray freely admits that not even the most ardent of Hibs fans could have predicted they would be sitting pretty near the top of the SPL right now – just one point behind Celtic – while Hearts languish in the bottom half of the table.

The role reversal has been nothing short of remarkable although another cup defeat for Hibs could have a catastrophic effect in the road to recovery.

Murray said: “There is no doubt Hibs have surpassed expectations up until this point.

“I always thought there would be an improvement as I didn’t think the other teams in the SPL had made much progress over the summer.

“If Hibs had made the top six this term then that would have been viewed as success.

“To be one point off the top – I don’t think anybody in their right mind thought the improvement would have been that vast.

“But this game is vital for Hibs as it is a chance to start erasing what happened at Hampden.

“Despite going well this season they have lost their last two games and that run needs to end.

“Before you know it, two becomes three and three becomes four so they will be keen to end that. That’s why this derby is vital for the supporters and the club as a whole.

“Still, even if Hibs do win it will not make up for the cup final

“Maybe, nothing will ever make up or that and it is best putting that game to bed. Hearts will still be gloating over that when they come to Easter Road and that’s why it is vital Hibs win.”

Murray, who is now the player/boss at Dumbarton, has no doubt Fenlon will use the agonising loss to the Jambos as part if his motivational pre-match speech.

But while this clash would have been viewed with trepidation for Hibs had it taken place at the start of the season there is a real sense of anticipation coursing through Easter Road at the moment.

Murray said: “I reckon it is actually an ideal draw for Hibs.

“They are going well in the league, have home advantage and have the chance to get revenge on their biggest rivals.

“I have no doubt the Hampden loss will be mentioned ahead of the game in a bid to motivate the players.

“I was in the States when the draw was made and within seconds I was bombarded with texts about how this was the match all the fans wanted.

“The immediate reaction was ‘bring it on’. That shows how far the club have come since May when they were hammered by Hearts.

“This will be my first time back at Easter Road since leaving. I have been invited to hospitality by the club and I am looking forward to it. “

A veteran of 25 Edinburgh derbies during his two separate spells at the Leith club, Murray is well placed to assess where the cup encounter will be won and lost. And given Hearts have lost game changers such as Rudi Skacel, Suso Santana, Craig Beattie and Ian Black, all key performers in the cup final, the 31-year-old is convinced Hibs can come out on top providing they keep their discipline.

He said: “Hibs will have to work really hard for their chances as usual because Hearts are extremely strong in central defence with Marius Zaliukas and Andy Webster.

“But they will have to be on their guard to keep Leigh Griffiths quiet. If Hibs maintain the way they have been playing and Griffiths has a good game then I fancy them to win.

“As an outsider looking in now and assessing the two squads I believe Hibs might just have the edge.

“Hibs are much stronger while Hearts have lost a lot of key players who were influential last season and have brought in a lot of youngsters to try to replace them.

“But they are always a hard team to beat regardless of where they are in the league and who is the team.

“They have had a lot of off-field problems over the past few years but whenever the chips have been down the players have dug out results.

“That is a testament to the players’ strength of character. They have always done well after setbacks.

“For me, the main thing for Hibs is trying to keep calm. That 5-1 will still be fresh in their minds and the manager will have them pumped up so they have to try to remain cool.

“If you lose your discipline in a derby game you rarely win as I know from my time with Hibs and Rangers.

“Keeping it together is vital and if Hibs do that then they can take the first step on the road to putting right what went wrong at Hampden.”

Taken from the Daily Record