Hibs eye Hampden redemption after League Cup heartache

Martin Boyle believes Hibernian have a lot to make up for when they return to Hampden Park for the second time in just over a month for their William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United on Saturday.

Hibernian's Martin Boyle talks to the press ahead of this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final. Picture: SNS

In front of a massive Hibs support at the national stadium on March 13, the Championship side lost 2-1 to Ross County in the Scottish League Cup final after conceding a last-gasp goal to Staggies striker Alex Schalk.

Boyle was then put on as substitute “to see if I could grab a goal” and after that proved in vain, he is looking for Hibs to make amends against the Ladbrokes Premiership’s bottom team and get another chance at cup glory.

The 22-year-old forward said: “You want to get that feeling again of the occasion, the fans supporting you, the big day out, so hopefully we can get to the Scottish Cup final.

“So we have a lot to make up for when we go back there again.

“That will be in our mindsets as well, that we can right what we did wrong last time.

“We dominated possession, had a lot of chances but it just wasn’t to be unfortunately and they took their last chance. It was a silly goal to let in but it cost us in the end.

“But we took a lot of confidence from that game so hopefully we can take that into Saturday and dominate them as well.

“The Scottish Cup is a great competition to be a part of, the semi-final is a great occasion and hopefully we can get to the final.”

Boyle is looking for Hibs to replicate the form they showed when they trounced United 3-0 in their Scottish League Cup tie at Easter Road in November.

The former Dundee player said: “ We have had some really good performances but that was definitely up there, it was against higher-league opposition.

“So we can take confidence from that United game going into the game.”

However, Hibs’ recent form has not been much better than that of struggling United.

Alan Stubbs’ side have won only two of their last 11 matches in all competitions and the 2-2 home draw with 10-man Falkirk on Tuesday night, after being two goals ahead, left Hibs still six points behind the second-place Bairns having played two games fewer.

With Rangers already champions, Hibs’ promotion will have to come through the play-off.

Boyle said: “Last night we switched off twice and it cost us two valuable points.

“Falkirk and us are both fighting for the same spot and there are a lot of twists and turns to come but hopefully we can clinch that second spot.

“We have not been as clinical as we have been in other parts of the season and we just need to get back to grinding out results.

“I feel that we can pick ourselves back up and show teams what we are made of.”

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