Hibs star Danny Swanson revealed that his first goal for his boyhood heroes was dedicated to his friend former Bonnyrigg Rose player Shaun Woodburn who died following a disturbance in Edinburgh on New Year’s Day.
Swanson scored the first equaliser in Tuesday’s Betfred League Cup quarter final victory over Livingston.
Shaun’s dad Kevin was at the game along with several members of Swanson’s family to see him score his first in eight games for the club.
The result takes Hibs into their fifth Hampden appearance in eighteen months where they will face Rangers, Celtic, and the winners of the Motherwell v Aberdeen game tonight.
The draw will be made after that game.
Speaking after the final whistle on Tuesday, Swanson said: “I always dedicate my goals to Shaun and that was an extra special one.
“I know his dad was at the game, so that made it special. He was a big part of my decision to come here. I am sure he’ll be very proud.
“It felt brilliant, but more relief than anything. I felt a bit of weight come off my shoulders. I can relax a bit.
“I think that is going to help me massively now.”
Swanson’s goal saved him and his team-mates from another rollicking from Head Coach Neil Lennon who gave the players both barrels after the side surrendered a two goal lead to Motherwell last Saturday.
Swanson continued: “I’m pleased he (Neil Lennon) was happy, that’s good, perfect. We’ll get a decent sleep now
“Saturday was bad, really bad. As everyone knows, the gaffer had a right go at us and deservedly so even though I didn’t play
“Daz (Darren McGregor) had told me about it before I came here, but I have never played under anyone like that.
“He is a winner, he takes his job very seriously, not just for the show, he means it and sometimes it helps.
“You can see the passion he oozes. If we’ve not done our jobs you have to expect criticism and accept it, but when we are doing well he’s the first to praise us, so it works both ways.
“He helped me a lot before the game the other night. He took me aside and spoke to me. He was very positive in his words and he helped me a lot, he really did. He said ‘Relax, enjoy it’. I did and thankfully I repaid him.
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.
