Cup final countdown: Proclaimers will be music to Billy Brown’s ears

This weekend, he is desperate to stay out on the pitch and lap up The Proclaimers’ terracing anthem at the end of a first Scottish Cup success in 110 years for the long-suffering Easter Road club.

Five years ago, Brown was Kilmarnock No 2 to long-time sidekick and Hearts legend Jim Jefferies when Hibs put the Rugby Park men to the sword 5-1 in a CIS Cup final that gave Hibs their first silverware in 16 years.

A spine-tingling rendition of Sunshine on Leith amidst emotional celebrations brought tears to the eyes of a visibly moved manager, John Collins, who only two months before had lost father Norrie, and the remarkable scenes will live long in the memory for those decked out in green and white that day.

But, for Brown and the losing Kilmarnock squad, the boisterous singing was anything but music to their ears as they sought sanctuary deep in the bowels of the national stadium to get away from the party they themselves had hoped to be having.

The ode to Hibs’ heartland was given another airing after Hibs’ semi-final victory over Aberdeen last month, when Brown urged Irish manager Pat Fenlon to soak up the revelry for the first time following a troubled introduction to Scottish football since taking over back in November.

And Brown is hoping to hear the Hibs fans turn the volume up again on Saturday because it will mean they have finally become No 1 on Scottish Cup final day after more than a century of trying.

The 61-year-old said: “I remember the CIS Cup final in 2007 with Kilmarnock against Hibs. We lost 5-1 and that was def-initely Hibs’ day, everything went for them that day. You learn to live with these things.

“Listen, I just hope it’s Hibs’ day again this weekend. Surely after 110 years Hibs deserve it to be their day. I remember that defeat to Hibs. I remember Sunshine on Leith blaring out at the end.

“When we beat Aberdeen in the semi-final I told Pat to stand with me and listen to it. It’s a really emotive song. The last time I heard it before that was in that League Cup Final with Kilmarnock. We’d been gubbed 5-1 and I had turned on my heels and was heading down the tunnel. I closed the dressing-room door but I could still hear it in the distance. It wasn’t a pleasant experience that day, but I hope to hear the song being sung on Saturday.

“It really impressed Pat, I think. He had never heard that before. It was fantastic and I’d love to hear it again.”