Wait for cup glory goes on for another year as Hibs accept they were second best on the big day

LEIGH GRIFFITHS' assertion last week that maybe "it was just meant to be" would prove rather prescient.
Jordon Forster felt the final was a good experience
Jordon Forster felt the final was a good experience

Just not in the way the striker had intended. Griffiths is Hibernian right to his marrow so perhaps there was a touch of wishful thinking about his suggestion that losing last year's William Hill Scottish Cup final to Hearts meant the Easter Road club would surely win this one. "There aren't many teams who get to a major cup final two years in a row and lose both," he added, boldly. Hibs, though, are not like many teams, especially when it comes to this tournament.

Defeat by Celtic means another number can be added to the years since they last won the Scottish Cup. Come next season's final, it will be 112 years and Hearts fans' crowing about 1902 and 5-1, the scoreline in last season's final, will go on for another season at least.

Hibs hoped this would finally be their year but, the first seven minutes of Sunday's final aside, that never looked likely. Celtic were not at their best but never needed to be. They were, however, diligent in defence and efficient in attack. Hibs were neither. "I think Celtic were the better team on the day," admitted Kevin Thomson, the Hibernian midfielder. "Our boys stuck at it and worked hard but we didn't have that quality in the final third that these teams have. Celtic have got that in abundance.

"We were under no illusions it was going to be difficult. We started well and had a couple of half-chances and then Fraser Forster had a good save from Eoin [Doyle]'s header. They went up the park and scored without having a foothold in the game and all of a sudden we were 1-0 down after eight minutes, which was a bit of a sucker punch. That gave Celtic a stranglehold in the game and from there we kind of huffed and puffed. The desire and effort was there for everybody to see but we just lacked that quality in the final third.

"They were sloppy goals on our part. I don't think the guys would be overly happy with them. Celtic's front three, when Kris Commons steps inside and Anthony Stokes dropping into wee holes makes it difficult for defences. At the end of the day, they have more quality in the front area than us."

There was a first Hampden appearance for Jordon Forster, Hibs' 19-year-old defender who deputised for injured captain James McPake. He hoped there would be many more to come. "It was a good experience for me being a young player, but the result was disappointing," he said. "I don't think we deserved to lose 3-0 because I think we played well in stages. We had a couple of chances at the start of the game and we didn't take them whereas they took their chances."

There was also a belief that Hibs would one day finally win the Scottish Cup again. "The hoodoo will eventually go," added Forster. "We believed we could have won it. In the last four or five weeks we have shown we can play football. It will come, I am sure of that. If you look at the academy, there are a lot of good youngsters coming through."

The consolation for Hibs is a return to European football next season when they enter the second qualifying round of the Europa League. "It is always good to get into Europe, which is a big boost for the club," Forster added. "We will be playing big teams in bigger stadiums. I think I have put a marker down this season and I would like to think when I go back in pre-season, it is a clean slate. Everyone has to prove themselves once again. I am sure everyone will work hard and then the manager will make decisions."

Thomson's short-term contract with Hibs will shortly expire and he will take some time to contemplate his next move. "I am going to go home and enjoy some family time and see what happens. The manager has been great with me and the fans have been great with me. I feel I have been playing at a good level. If it is going to be Hibs in the summer then so be it. If I get the opportunity to go back to England then that would be something I would like to do."

Taken from the Herald