Hibs’ captain and darts fan Liam Craig met Gary ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Anderson at yesterday’s William Hill Scottish Cup quarter final draw at Hampden and handed the PDC World Champion a personalised ‘180’ shirt.
Hibs’ fan Anderson helped to conduct the draw at the home of Scottish football and coincidentally handed his favourites a home tie against either Berwick Rangers or Spartans.
Afterwards the ‘Flying Scotsman’ told the Club website: “Thanks for the shirt – I will make sure I wear it at an upcoming event that will be full of Jambos!
“To be honest, I’m not a massive football supporter, but Hibs have always been my family’s team and it was good talking to Liam (Craig); he is from Chirnside which is near to where I first started playing darts.
“I would like to wish Hibs all the best for the quarter final and, hopefully if my schedule allows me to, I will be free to go and support Hibs if they get through to Hampden.”
Craig said: “My Dad is a big darts fan and he and Gary have got a mutual friend in common, so it was really good to be able to meet him.
“In actual fact, in one of the pubs back in Chirnside there is one of my framed shirts alongside his framed shirt, so it was good to chat to him about the connection.
“We always said in the build-up to the draw that we wanted a home tie, so to get one was absolutely perfect.
“We’ve got strong connections with both Berwick Rangers – the local club to where I grew up – and Spartans, where we regularly train and where the Development team play their home games.
“It promises to be an exciting game and a great advert for the William Hill Scottish Cup – we’re all really excited about it.”
Head Coach Alan Stubbs said: “We’re absolutely delighted to get a home draw – thanks to Gary Anderson for that!
“We will thoroughly prepare for the tie and the homework started seconds after the draw – we will compile a detailed dossier on both teams and ensure we’re fully equipped for the match.”
The tie will be played on the weekend of 7/8 March with the replay between Spartans and Berwick Rangers – following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Ainslie Park – will take place at Shielfield Park next Tuesday.
Ticket information for the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter final tie will be confirmed as soon as possible here at hibernianfc.co.uk
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
