With mayhem all around, the Hibs’ players and manager took time out from their celebrations to give their reaction to a historic Scottish Cup victory, the club’s first for 114 years.
Anthony Stokes opened the scoring in the second minute before former Hibs’ player Kenny Miller equalised midway through the first half.
Andy Halliday gave Rangers the lead just after the hour mark and many thought that Hibs’ would lose out yet again however a Stokes’ equaliser 11 minutes from the end and a sensational header from skipper David Gray saw the trophy end up in Leith.
Head Coach Alan Stubbs told BBC Scotland: ” I thought the players were unbelievable in their efforts. From the start of the game to the way we finished it, they deserved it.
“They have had some knockers but they have had a long hard season.
“Every cloud has a silver lining and we have found that silver lining.”
Anthony Stokes said: “It’s been an unbelievable day and an unbelievable result. The performance and effort from all the staff and everyone throughout the club meant that we deserved it today.
“We never gave in and it’s one of the highlights of my career.”
Midfielder John McGinn said: “Everyone questioned our character and our bottle but to come back from 2-1Â down with 15 minutes to go and win 3-2…….We must have Hibs’d it eh?
“I am delighted for the fans and everyone associated wit the club. It’s been something that’s been hanging over our heads for a lone time and we have now finally done it.
Winning goal-scorer David Gray said: “We are such a close bunch. we’ve said it all season. We are so disappointed not to get promoted as we believe that we were good enough to get out of this league.
“Winning the cup just puts to bed what people have been saying about bottle and not having the character. How many times have we done that this season?
“Credit to the lads and everyone involved. It’s an amazing achievement.”
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.
