Fyvie says Hibs can succeed on the big stage
Hibs midfielder Fraser Fyvie was delighted to answer the team's doubters after their long-awaited Scottish Cup triumph.
Hibernian midfielder Fraser Fyvie was delighted to answer the team's doubters after their long-awaited Scottish Cup triumph.
Hibs fans and players have long been taunted about their failure to lift the trophy since 1902, but Fyvie and his colleagues put the jibes to bed with a 3-2 final success over Rangers.
After falling short in the final moments of the League Cup final against Ross County, and condeding an injury-time winner to Falkirk in the promotion play-off semi-final, Hibs provided the perfect riposte with a late winner of their own as David Gray headed home Liam Henderson's corner.
Fyvie said: People keep questioning our character. Now they know we can win the big cup.
For our fans, it's great; for people around the club it's brilliant. What a day for them and what a day for us.
It means everything. A cup to take home and show your kids, tell them you were part of the game. For everyone involved, it's surreal. And it's great to be the ones to do it.''
Henderson also set up Anthony Stokes' equaliser with 11 minutes left thanks to another corner. The pair were on loan from Celtic, but they both showed how much the triumph meant to them.
Henderson said: I don't feel as if I have been on loan here, I feel like a permanent player here. I'm just very, very thankful I can repay the fans and sign out on a high.
I believe in this squad. It's an extremely talented squad.
We were very unfortunate not to get promoted, but all credit to Falkirk. They are a good side who don't get enough credit for the way they play.
But to win the Scottish Cup after 100-odd years in that style, especially against Rangers, it's very special.''
Stokes, who had a successful spell at Hibs before joining Celtic, added: It's a great feeling, I'm delighted for everyone involved - the coaching staff, the players and the fans.''
The Irishman also scored an early opener and hit a post from 25 yards before forcing Wes Foderingham into two good saves. The striker was also off target with three more ambitious efforts as the Rangers defence failed to cope with his menace.
It was a big occasion and I think most of the time at Celtic I rose to the big occasions in games,'' Stokes said.
I'm just delighted for the other lads that I did. I could have four or five, but I'm glad to make any sort of contribution and I think it's fitting that David Gray came up with the winner.
The skipper has been outstanding for us. He's someone who puts in 100 per cent every week and he leads the lads every week.'' ends