Sproule takes heart ahead of Dunfermline trip

HIBERNIAN’S first win in 11 matches may not have come in the league, but it can only help their fragile confidence as they prepare to resume their battle against relegation in the SPL.

According to captain for the day Ivan Sproule, however, they will have to improve significantly on their cup performance against Cowdenbeath if they are to get the better of Dunfermline in the league when they return to Fife this Saturday.

“There’s always added pressure when you’re down at the bottom of the league, which is always in the back of your mind even when you’re playing cup ties,” Sproule said after his team’s 3-2 win at Central Park. “But we knew the performance probably wasn’t the main thing. The performance will have to be bigger and better when we play Dunfermline, because that’s the one we’ve got to rely on now we’ve got this one out of the way. This wasn’t against SPL opponents, but a win’s a win, and when you’re not getting wins you have to take something out of it. We ground it out. We should have had more than three goals, really. We’ve missed a few chances. But the main thing is we got more goals than them.

“You’ve seen it before at cup ties when big teams have fallen, and we could have fallen quite easily today. It was a test of character. As the gaffer rightly said in there: ‘Listen, you’ve won the game. Enjoy it’.

“But we have to move on and we have to concentrate now on a hard week’s work, and, as I say, the big one comes next week against Dunfermline.”

Sproule is convinced that his team have been playing below their ability, but he is just as sure that the squad needs to be strengthened during this month’s transfer window. “We’re all working hard and we know it’s not going to turn round overnight,” he said. “There’s a lot of hard work to be put in. I’m sure the gaffer is going to look at it over January and assess the situation. There was a big travelling support here today and they do deserve better. Hopefully the manager will go and add a few to the squad and keep the rest of us on our toes.”

Sproule was relieved for another reason besides the victory – it was also the first time in three appearances as captain that he had ended up on the winning side. “I’ve had it twice before and I’ve been beaten twice,” he said. “It was just nice to come off with a victory.

“I didn’t expect when I came back to the club I’d be donning the armband for Hibs. It’s just so happened they’ve had injuries to players and I suppose I’m the next most experienced one.

“I’ve never probably seen myself as a skipper. I do do a bit of shouting and roaring at them, and I suppose the gaffer knows that I’ll keep them on their toes. I was humbled to have it and it’s a great honour for me, but it’s something that’s maybe for a bigger player than me.”