Hibs’ long serving defender Paul Hanlon has joined in the praise for goalkeeper Conrad Logan who made his debut for the club in yesterday’s penalty shoot out win over Dundee United in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final.
The keeper hadn’t started a game since December 2014 but his experience won the day, making several top notch saves at vital times in the game then two penalties during the shoot out.
Hanlon also elected to take one of the penalties which he hammered low into the corner of the net and Hibs secured their third Scottish Cup final in five years.
Speaking to Hibs TV after the game Hanlon said: “I know we put the fans through it a bit, but we got there. We probably made it a bit more difficult than it could’ve been.
“But we got there in the end, and it’s a great way to win it. Toward the second half of extra time and even the first we were siting a bit deep.
“Having been here in the League Cup final and to lose a last minute goal is in the back of your mind to see it out to penalties and we were confident going into the penalties and obviously big Conrad was magnificent to save two penalties.
“In terms of debuts it doesn’t get much better. he was reassuring behind us and when we needed him he was there for us.
“Fyvie was due to take the last penalty. It was just a case of who wanted to take one. I took one in the League Cup and I was confident to hit one and I was glad mine was in.
“Penalty shoot-outs are a harsh way to lose a game, but when you’re on the winning side it’s great.
“Hopefully this is the boost that can kick us on to the end of the season. It’s all to play for and a really exciting time for the club.”
Photo by John Preece
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.
