Hibs Betfred Cup chance is tantalising for Jackson Irvine after Ross County success

New Hibs signing Jackson Irvine is relishing the prospect of a return to Hampden five years after he lifted the League Cup at the national stadium.
Jackson Irvine lifts the League Cup with Ross County in 2016.Jackson Irvine lifts the League Cup with Ross County in 2016.
Jackson Irvine lifts the League Cup with Ross County in 2016.

The 27-year-old Australian penned a contract with Jack Ross’ men until the end of the season and made his debut in Saturday’s 2-0 Premiership win over Kilmarnock.

Now he and his team-mates are preparing for Saturday’s Betfred Cup semi-final against St Johnstone, fresh from moving up into third spot in the league.

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Irvine has fond memories of the tournament in 2016 – then sponsored by Utilita – playing a pivotal role as Ross County defeated Hibs 2-1 to win their first major trophy, and the former Hull City midfielder wants to taste more success, this time in green and white.

"I’m delighted to have got a game in the build-up to what is going to be an incredibly exciting week for the football club and everyone involved,” said Irvine. “To come in during a time when the club is competing for a chance to put themselves in a final and to potentially play a part in that is very exciting. I can’t wait.”

Irvine admits it is ironic that he is now at Hibs competing for the trophy he defeated them for, and reckons the heartache those Easter Road players felt back then inspired them to win the Scottish Cup a few months later.

“It would be nice to do it again,” continued Irvine. “Winning trophies are the days you remember more than anything else in your career. I would be absolutely buzzing to have the chance to compete in another final providing we put on the kind of display we know we can on Saturday.

“It’s kind of a strange one, playing on the Ross County side in that final. Maybe winning that game gave Hibs the spark to go and win the Scottish Cup that season. I don’t know if you can justify it that way. We haven’t talked about it to be fair. Stevo [Lewis Stevenson] and Paul [Hanlon] were here. I can’t remember who else. It is quite a few years ago now. It hasn’t really been discussed.”

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