Scottish Cup: Hibs fans react to Final loss

By CLAIRE GARDNER
Published on 27/05/2013 00:00

DESPITE the words being belted out by Hibs supporters in pubs around Edinburgh, there was certainly no sunshine on Leith – just damp disappointment at this year’s Scottish Cup final.

Scores of fans tried to console themselves by singing the rousing words to The Proclaimers’ hit song – which has become a club anthem – after Hibs were beaten 3-0 by Celtic.

Hopes had been high that the Easter Road club would break its 111-year cup drought and take home the prestigious silverware.

Yesterday’s defeat means Hibs have not lifted the Scottish Cup since 1902. It came a year after the club’s previous attempt to end their long wait, when they lost 5-1 at the hands of city rivals Hearts.

However, despite disappointment, there were still smiles among the fans – and hopes for the future.

As the game got under way, eternal optimists were glued to television screens at home and in bars.

Lifting a pint in the Easter Road bar The Office, was Joe McGowan, 50, who has been a Hibs supporter for 45 years.

After watching the action on TV, he said: “They played well in the first half but the goalkeeper made two mistakes and the second half was terrible.”

He added: “Let’s see what next season brings and how far into their pockets they [Hibs] are going to dig so we can buy in some fresh talent. The only problem is they don’t really have any money.”

His wife, Angie, 46, who works for Edinburgh City Council, said: “Of course it’s a shame but we can still celebrate all the same. We did well to get this far. We are going to enjoy the rest of the night out, we aren’t going to let this ruin our night.”

Enjoying afternoon cocktails at the bar were fellow Hibs fans Ashley Ford and Lyndsay Bowden.

Ms Ford, 22, who works in a delicatessen, said she had been “a Hibby since I was a wee girl”.

The season ticket holder added: “I’m a bit deflated, but there is always next year. I suppose I’ve got used to disappointment – we go through it every year.

“There was hope in the first half – we were looking pretty good – but after the first goal against them they sort of gave up and it went downhill from there.”

Ms Bowden, 24, said she was “gutted” but not surprised.

“We were against a tough team. But we lost it in the second half. It’s been really disheartening watching the match,” she said.

With many Hibs supporters away to watch the game at Hampden in Glasgow, fans said Easter Road was unusually quiet during the final.

However, barman David MacMahon, 29, said there had been a buzz before the game.

He said: “We were really hoping this was going to be the glorious moment when Hibs would pull out all of the stops and bring home the cup. Hibs were the underdogs, which we thought would work in our favour, but sadly not.”

“Being a Hibs supporter, you get used to heartache and disappointment – you need to develop a thick skin and not have your expectations too high, which is a shame, but that’s the reality.”

On Easter Road after the match, Hearts supporter John Hartley said: “I would love to have seen Hearts in the final, but on this occasion I was wanting to see Hibs beat Celtic. To have an Edinburgh team win the Scottish Cup would have been great.”

However, Celtic fan Mark Stephenson, 37, of Glasgow said: “We were the favourites and the better team – so we got what we deserved – the domestic double.”

Hibernian last won the Scottish Cup in 1902, when they beat Celtic 1-0 to take home the silverware for the second time. Their first win was against Dumbarton in the 1886-87 season, a 2-1 victory at Hampden Park.

Here are their nine final defeats in the 111 years since 1902.

1914 – Celtic 4, Hibernian 1.

1923 - Celtic 1, Hibernian 0.

1924 – Airdrieonians 2, Hibernian 0.

1947 – Aberdeen 2, Hibernian 1.

1958 – Clyde 1, Hibernian 0.

1972 – Celtic 6, Hibernian 1.

1979 – Rangers 3, Hibernian 2.

2001 – Celtic 3, Hibernian 0.

2012 – Hearts 5, Hibernian 1.

2013 – Celtic 3, Hibernian 0

Taken from the Scotsman