Lay the Ghost!
(Stuart Crowther)

NICK COLGAN DOES NOT BELIEVE  in ghosts - at least not the type that are supposed to 'haunt' football clubs!  The Hibs goalkeeper was surprised to learn when he joined the club that the Scottish Cup had eluded Hibernian for so long - but Colgan will not let that play on his mind when he lines up against Stirling Albion tomorrow.

"We have laid some ghosts for the fans this season, and it would be great if we could reach the Final and give them a?day out again," Colgan said yesterday as he had a close look at the Scottish Cup for what Hibs fans hope will not be the last time.  He continued: "Before we met St Johnstone?this season we were reminded that Hibs had not won in Perth in 11 visits - but we were not playing in those 11 games.  We won 3-0!"  Old sequences are of little account to the current Hibs side, a team built from scratch by Alex McLeish.  Only three members of the side who lost to Stirling Albion 3 years ago remain (with Hibs.net apologies to Stuart Lovell for missing him out in yesterday's report), proof that this is a very different Hibs that Albion will face at a packed Forthbank come 3pm Saturday.

Colgan - hands off! (sns)

Like everyone at Easter Road, the defeat in last seasons semi-final still hurts Colgan, who said: "We were very disappointed to be beaten at the semi-final stage, and we have to try and put that right for the fans this year.  When you look back and realise you could have been playing in the showpiece against the biggest club in Scotland at that time in Rangers, it is hugely disappointing.  It would have been a great day.

"I don't think we realised that day against Aberdeen that it was our season ending there and then.  All the time after that we were thinking - that could have been us at Hampden.  Saturday will be Stirling Albion's cup final and we have to make sure that they do not win it.  I have not been involved in any giant-killing games but I remember the year in England when Coventry were holders and were knocked out by a non-League side - you only need to look at that to see what can happen!"  Stirling Albion are 11-1 outsiders with the bookmakers to cause an upset, with Hibs quoted at just 1-6 to progress to the Quarter Finals.

But bookmakers odds are of little concern to former Hibs man Graeme Donald, who would love nothing better than to put one over on his old club.  He said: "I was with Hibs for 7 years and still have strong feelings for that club.  My preferred scenario would be that we win in the cup but Hibs get into the Champions League!  They are a great club and I was obviously disappointed when I was told I could leave them."

Hibs boss Alex McLeish has reported an injury scare to at least one of Hibs first-team squad, but has refused to reveal who that might be.  The club meanwhile have completed the signing of Toulouse striker Marc Libbra until the end of the season.