Darren McGregor’s delight at scoring Hibs’ 1000th Scottish Cup goal

Darren McGregor scored his first goal for Hibs during yesterday’s 2-0 victory over Raith Rovers in the William Hill Scottish Cup Fourth Round and unbeknown to him, the strike entered the record books.

McGregor, who grew up in Leith as a Hibs’ supporter made an immediate impact as a second half substitute but to him, the most important aspect was ensuring that Hibs’ name is in the hat for Monday’s Scottish Cup draw.

Speaking after the game to Cliff Pike of Hibs TV he said: “When you come to places like this (Starks Park) it’s difficult. They got men behind the ball and the surface wasn’t great due to the rain, but we worked ourselves into the game pretty well and when I came on I got the goal which I was delighted with.

“Lewis (Stevenson) crossed it and I hit it first time and I am delighted to get the win and the gaffer said before the game the important thing us to be in the next round of the cup regardless of performance and obviously we have done that and we are looking forward to the next round.

The goal enters the record books as being the 1,000th goal for the Club in the competition and McGregor thinks this adds to the significance. He continued: “When I was told about it I was absolutely delighted about that. One of the guys just mentioned it so that obviously just adds icing to the cake to be honest.

“I said to the boys that hopefully it is one of more. I’d like to score more goals, whether it is a header or a right-footed volley it’ll do. I timed my run pretty well, it was one of the ones where if I took a touch I’d have given it away. I hit it first time and it went in.

“I scored a couple last season. It’s either hitting the target or someone in the crowd so I’m glad I hit the target. keeper may be a bit disappointed that the ball went under him but I think the pace maybe caught him off guard by me hitting it first time. As soon as I saw the defender missing the ball I thought ‘Right this is getting hit.”