Leader: ‘We should be proud of both our SPL teams’

Published on 27/05/2013 12:00

ANOTHER cup final for Hibs. Another defeat. It’s difficult to avoid the negatives down Easter Road – the wait goes on; 111 years; ten finals; will it ever happen? But there are reasons for optimism and all of Edinburgh should be proud of both our SPL teams this season.

Hearts made it to the Scottish Communities League Cup final in March, losing narrowly to an inspired St Mirren side.

Hibs lost yesterday’s Scottish Cup final to a Celtic team with financial muscle other Scottish teams can only dream of. And, let’s not forget, Celtic are a team that 
managed to defeat Barcelona this season.

And last year, of course, both our sides also made it to the 
Scottish Cup Final.

Edinburgh football has been in the shadow of Glasgow for so long, so it’s magnificent that the last three big cup finals have featured teams from the Capital. On each occasion tens of thousands have travelled through to Glasgow, sang their hearts out and, a few minor indiscretions aside, behaved themselves impeccably.

Yesterday, Hibs supporters gave their side incredible backing right to the end. The club should be proud of their fans and of the fact they were able to bounce back from the pain of last season to reach yet another final. Now they have European matches to look forward to.

There will always be strong rivalry between our two Capital clubs – and rightly so – but wouldn’t it be great if that was played out against the backdrop of future big games and cup finals?

With Rangers still playing in the lower leagues, there is an opportunity this season for one of our Capital clubs to make their mark in the top half of the league. Motherwell, St Johnstone, Ross County and 
Inverness have all done it this year.

If Hearts can put their financial troubles behind them, and if Hibs can build on their cup run, 2013/14 could be even better for Edinburgh football.

Taken from the Scotsman