Hibs bullish over Rangers final as Hearts boss enters uncharted territory
Reedijk takes confidence from seismic result at Hampden
Hibs head coach Marink Reedijk has backed his team to produce another Premier Sports Cup final upset when they face Rangers next month after making history against Hearts.
Written off by many ahead of Sunday’s semi-final against their Edinburgh rivals, Hibs recovered from the concession of a fourth-minute opening goal to win 2-1 and defeat Hearts for the very first time at Hampden Park.
Goals from Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath in an action-packed first half wiped out Claudio Braga’s early header and while Hearts pressed hard for a leveller in the second half, Hibs held firm to set up a December 13 final clash against Rangers.
Hibs will be underdogs once more when they return to the national stadium but Reedijk, who got his first Hibs win at the fifth time of asking, believes his players have shown what they are made of by winning a derby of such magnitude.
Asked what makes him confident Hibs can lift the trophy, Reedijk said: “The performance of today and the performance we showed the week before. And if we have more progression, we progress even better and better and better.
“We can make every opponent's lives a little bit difficult or very difficult. And no matter which team it is, it's always another match to play. Finals are, again, special matches, but also finals are not only based on these special moments.
“It's also about teams with a plan and teams with an idea. And I think if we build on what we are doing now, keep on going and it will have ups and downs. I know I have a really good belief that we also can do something in the final.”
Reedijk was full of praise for his veteran midfielder Joe Newell, who started for the third time in a week and won the man of the match award.
“For Joe, I can only take my hat how he copes with the fact that we play three matches in the week. And now it's not only about that he can cope with three matches in the week, but also the performances he put on the pitch. And today was important with the two goals.
“And I'm very happy for him as well because he came from a long injury history and without playing. And how he puts himself full, that's really good to see.”
Reedijk revelled in watching his players listen to a rendition of Sunshine on Leith from Hibs supporters afterwards and said he was moved by the scenes.
“I'm not always showing my emotions, but it's really touching,” admitted Reedijk. “So maybe it looks like I'm an ice king, so to say.
“Normally in Holland we say ice queen, but therefore an ice king because I'm not a woman. But for me, it is really important that this happens and it comes close to my heart because this is what football is about. Guys who inspire people on the pitch with something people off the pitch and in the stands love to see.
“That is what football is about.”
For Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken, it was a painful afternoon - exacerbated by the loss of two more players through injury.
Hearts went into the match without eight first-team regulars and had to replace Tomas Magnusson (suspected concussion) and Calvin Miller (knee) before the first half was out. Vrancken revealed he has never had to deal with an injury crisis of such magnitude.
“Nothing like this. Not even close,” said the Belgian. “I didn't see Tomas because Tomas is to the hospital. Calvin was in a brace but it's always difficult to say directly after the game. So we have to wait for a scan on Monday or the day after.
“The doctor and medical staff, they did their concussion test on the pitch, at that moment. Tomas passed the concussion test and then he came to me to come in.
“Then he was going left and right, he couldn't stand on his legs anymore. When I saw it, there's no doubt in your head that you're going to let him on the pitch at that moment, because you cannot take the risk. Then he saw it himself also at the moment. He said, 'no, I can't do it. And then we had to change him, and now he's to the hospital, so I don't know.”
Hearts now head to Switzerland to face FC Thun in the Conference League and will need to pick themselves up after such a painful result. They have yet to win in the main phase and need a positive result to maintain hopes of progressing to knock-out stages.
"Really sore and disappointed of course, especially when you see the game going on, how the game was going on,” continued Vrancken. “We didn't have to go this way because we had control of the game when we started. I think it started with the moment that Tomas was injured, that's clear, and afterwards Calvin.
“And those two changes, I'm not pointing out the guys who came in, for sure not, but these changes get us out of the rhythm and because of the connections. Maybe not top in the duels because we were really strong in these duels. These first moments and second balls, picked up those second balls, finding the right spaces.
“Then you lose these profiles, and then it's searching again, and then hesitations. Sometimes we gave them too much space and then you lose actually the game in those 20 minutes, I'd say. Because then when you get to half-time, you can adjust some things and get the hesitations out of the game and be clear on those things.
“Also in possession, especially with the profiles on the pitch, we had to go more from possession and then it was much better. Then we dominated the game again and it's just a pity that they didn't get rewarded. They had a lot of knocks already, mentally and emotionally, also today. You just hope that they get rewarded for fighting hard and it's a pity, especially in such a game, of course."
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