Hibs’ Scottish Cup semi-final hero Conrad Logan only discovered he was playing ten minutes before the players went out to warm up at Hampden yesterday.
Many fans questioned the wisdom of Head Coach Alan Stubbs when he chose the Irishman who hasn’t started a competitive match since December 2014, but the boss was more than vindicated after choosing experience over potential.
Logan left Leicester City after spending 14 years with the English Premiership club and joined Hibs at the end of March after first choice keeper Mark Oxley was suspended after picking up a yellow card in the victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the quarter finals.
The Donegal born keeper has written his name in Hibs fokelore after making several great saves during open play and also two penalties during the shoot out which guarantees another trip to Hampden next month.
After the game he told BBC Scotland: “It’s a fantastic achievement for the club and I am delighted to be part of it.
“I only discovered I was playing ten minutes before the warm up. I knew it was between me and Otso (Virtanen). we have prepared all week and I was delighted to get the nod.
“I played a reserve game a few weeks ago and have been able to cope with the training so I was confident that I could cope when the game came and thankfully I did.
“I felt sharp and ready to go. It’s pretty much the perfect day. You make yourself big and you get lucky some days, although I like to think you make your own luck in this game.
“Going to a penalty shoot-out, goalkeepers enjoy that sort of situation. It’s a no lose situation and a chance to be a hero.
“I back myself, and have a decent record from penalties throughout my career and I was confident that I could at least make a save or two.”
“Everyone is just buzzing. There is no better way to win a cup game than in a shoot-out. I’m just delighted to be a part of it.”
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.
