No win for Hibs, but no need for despair

HOPE springs eternal, a truth to which a near deserted Easter Road in Edinburgh testified yesterday. It may have been 111 years since Hibernian last won the Scottish Cup, but that did not deter thousands of fans streaming through to Glasgow yesterday in the valiant hope of beating favourites Celtic.

The Glasgow east enders chose a sombre black strip for the occasion, presumably to avoid any green confusion on the pitch. But for much of the game they seemed to appear to the Hibs defence as ghostly grey shadows.

For the first 20 minutes, Hibs were the dominant force and might well have gone ahead.

But two similar goals by Celtic in quick succession gave Neil Lennon’s charges a commanding lead by half time. It was a dispiriting turn of events for Hibs after such a promising start. But to its credit the underdog did not fade and continued to show spirit and endeavour, until Celtic’s third goal put the matter beyond doubt.

While there are areas to improve, this was not a performance over which Hibs manager Pat Fenlon and the fans need despair too much. There are the makings here of credible challenges in the season ahead.

But Hibs supporters can be excused an anguished frustration. They have waited long enough and are entitled to feel that this trophy is overdue to a club that has provided more than its fair share of thrilling moments.

There has been suggestion from the superstitious – and from the mischievous – that the cup will not return to Easter Road until the trams run again through Edinburgh’s streets. Hibs fans must hope they don’t have to wait until the line is extended all the way to Leith.

Taken from the Scotsman