Past backs the present
Hibs Cup winning heroes back today's squad to go on to glory...

They were the last Hibs players to pick up one of the 'major' pieces of silverware and last night, talking exclusively to RadioHibs, Keith Wright, Mickey Weir and Gareth Evans backed the less experienced Hibs side to go on to emulate themselves and lift the League Cup trophy at the end of the day tomorrow afternoon. With some 40,000 Hibs fans set to cheer the young lads on, the 1991 Skol Cup heroes set out their belief during a special ninety minute show with myself and Hibs.net Assistant Editor Cliff Pike, that the wider open spaces of Hampden would suit the young Hibs side more than the experience of tomorrow's opponents.

With Scott Brown and Derek Riordan both capable of picking up the ball out wide and running at, and indeed past, players, Cowdenbeath manager and Hibs fans favourite Wright picked out these two as being the key to victory in the National stadium.  "As long as they feed the ball out wide to these guys and play their game, Hibs will win it."  Wright, who scored in every round on the way to lifting the trophy twelve and a half years ago added, "I think it'll be a tight game though with Hibs winning it after Extra Time by an odd goal."  Whether Hibs fans could stand the pressure and tension of another extended match after the semi-final victory over Rangers is another question but Wright's assistant with the Blue Brazil, Mickey Weir, is sure that the inexperience will actually help the team to come out on top.

Keith Wright's goal settled things back in 1991 - who'll do it this year?

"When they walk out and see thee number of fans there, sure they'll be in awe but they'll get over that."  It was Mickey Weir's 'tumble' in the box that sent Hibs on their way in 1991 in a second half where Hibs were the better side, so much so that they could have had a few goals instead of just the two that were scored.  This time though, like his boss, Weir believes that it will be a close affair.  "Like Keith says, it will be tight with an odd goal settling it for Hibs.  If they use the space out on the wings like they did in the semi, they'll beat Livingston.  If they don't use the space, they won't."  With many people backing the view that the game will be won and lost on the deck for Hibs, you have to agree with the view held by these guys and hope that people like Kevin Thomson and whoever plays alongside him in the middle of the park get the opportunity to put their foot on the ball and look for these sorts of passes instead of hitting it high to Garry O'Connor to hold up for others.

Hibs boss Bobby Williamson is hoping for a lack of controversy and for the game to be won in a piece of skill rather than a mistake this morning.  With Kilmarnock's winner over Falkirk in 1997 still being labelled as offside by Bairns fans, Williamson is hoping that the fans get to see both sides, and the match officials, at their best.  "I just hope there isn't someone blamed for a defeat, a goalkeeper dropping the ball, a defender scoring an own-goal or a match official making the wrong decision.  I hope there is no one to point the finger at, but if the game goes against us the finger will be pointed heavily at me and if we win it will be pointed at Davie [Hay]."  With the fever surrounding tomorrow's game building up intently as fans from around the world arrive in the Capital, Williamson has also been keen to try and keep his young charges away from the hype as much as possible.

“It’s not just another game but we treat every game the same in terms of our approach to it, and that is being as professional as we can be. So in that way nothing changes, but of course it is not just another game, it’s a cup final. I try not to let the players get too carried away with things, there has been a heavy media presence this week and everything has been focussed on the cup final. Which is as it should be, but since we qualified for the cup final I felt it has been a distraction although it is a welcome distraction."  Williamson continued,  “It has affected our league performances though, we have not played as well as we could have done in these games. But it all comes down to Sunday and I just hope the guys we get on the park can do themselves justice and help bring the cup back through to Edinburgh.”

In a final message to Hibs fans ahead of tomorrow, Williamson let the Hibs fans know how much he feels for the club since his arrival in March 2002.  “I’m very proud, honoured and privileged to be manager of this club. I’m delighted that we’ve managed to get into a final so early since I came here, and I appreciate being part of that.”  Let's hope it's not just being part of it that gives us cause to celebrate tomorrow evening, but winning it.