Eoin Doyle wants chance to erase Hampden nightmare

THE double Eoin Doyle scored in Hibernian’s 3-1 win at Kilmarnock on Wednesday night has been said to have given his manager, Pat Fenlon, the classic “selection headache” over the team he sends out for the Scottish Cup final.

Eoin Doyle: Two midweek goals. Picture: SNS

The 25-year-old has endured a lean period in recent months, despite scoring the late winner in the club’s crazy 4-3 Scottish Cup semi-final escapology act over Falkirk. However, his midweek scoring exploits in a shadow Leith side have enhanced the chances of the striker, who has signed a pre-contract with Chesterfield, departing Hibs with better memories of a Hampden final. The 5-1 derby doing by Hearts last May could yet give way to a heady day against Celtic.

“There couldn’t be a better way for me to finish at the club. We all know the history [and Hibs’ 111-year wait for a cup win],” Doyle said. “There will be a massive turnout from the fans at Hampden and I know the lads won’t let ourselves down the way we did last year. I can promise we will all definitely give 110 per cent and I hope we can come away as the Scottish Cup winners.

“There have been a lot of changes in the dressing room this season, but for those of us who were here last year that final is always in the back of our minds. It wasn’t a nice day at all – and it wasn’t a nice summer after it. It will be a small factor this time, I think. We know that we owe the fans a lot and we will be giving everything.

“It might as well be a million years since the club won it, it’s been such a long time. It’s hard to believe when you look at the stature of the club. Hopefully, this can be the year.

“Last year the Hearts fans stayed back, we saw quite a lot of them on the motorway. We got our fair share of abuse, which was deserved I suppose.

“It’s important for us that we go back with the Hibs fans this time and hopefully they will be cheering us.”