I want to stay and play in Europe with Hibs, says in-demand striker Cummings

Jason Cummings admits he would love to be part of Hibernian's European campaign after helping them end their long wait to lift the Scottish Cup.

The 20-year-old striker is in demand after hitting 25 goals this season and he has just one year left on his contract, meaning the Championship club might be tempted to cash in this summer.

But they will be due compensation if he leaves the following year without signing a new deal and Hibernian's 3-2 Hampden triumph over Rangers ensured they would enter the Europa League on July 14.

"We're in Europe next season which I would love to be part of,'' Cummings said. "I'm contracted to Hibs for another year, so I'll be ready to go back into Hibs next season.

"I'm not going to think about much, I'm going to go on my holidays and enjoy my time off and whatever happens, happens.''

Cummings grew up a Hearts fan in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh and played for his local team's youth sides until being released four years ago.

But he ensured he would be forever revered across in the east end of the Scottish capital after he and his team-mates became the first Hibs players to lift the Scottish Cup since 1902.

"It was an amazing day and I'm just delighted for the boys, they all deserve it,'' Cummings said.

"Not just the boys that played, the coaching staff, the physios, even the boys that didn't play. Look at someone like (Dominique) Malonga, he scored the goal that got us through to the fifth round.

"It's a historic moment and I'm glad to be part of it. I don't know if I can top this, I may as well retire right now and call it a day because it's one of the best achievements ever. Everyone knows what it means to Hibs.''

Hibs lost in the closing stages of the League Cup final and their Premiership play-off semi-final, so the triumph was all the sweeter for Alan Stubbs' side when they completed a late comeback as Dave Gray headed home in injury-time.

"The boys are just relieved,'' Cummings said.

"We knew we deserved more this season. We were a bit hard done by in the League Cup and a bit hard done by in the league.

"And I thought it was going to be our day. It had to be our day. By the law of averages, we have got to get something.

"It panned out it was our day, we got a last-minute winner like teams have done to us, and it couldn't have fallen to a better guy, Dave Gray, the captain of the club and an absolutely top guy. He's a great guy and I'm absolutely delighted for him.

"There's nothing can top that moment. I would give everything that's happened in the season for that. Everyone knows historically what it means to Hibs and you saw the passion in the fans at the end. It was one of the best days of my life.

"I'm just hoping I don't need to buy a drink again in Leith. That's what people have been saying to me and I want to test that out."