Myles Hippolyte: Family of Hibs hero helped me settle

Myles Hippolyte ahead of Falkirk's play-off battle with Hibs. Picture: SNS

Should Falkirk emerge victorious from tonight’s play-off semi-final second leg against the Leith side, Peter’s relative Tony Marinello, his partner Sharon and son Steven might regret providing such a hospitable environment off the pitch for the player.

After making the switch from English non-league side Burnham to Livingston in summer 2014 at the age of 19, Hippolyte took up residence with the Marinellos at their home in West Lothian.

Hippolyte never met Peter, the former Hibs and Arsenal forward of the 1970s. But stability off the field allowed the attacking midfielder to find his feet on it, the former Brentford trainee making 64 appearances for the Lions before making the switch to Falkirk in January.

With the tie poised at 2-2 from Tuesday’s first leg, Hippolyte would have no qualms in upsetting the Marinellos this evening.

“I was living with a Hibs-daft family, the Marinellos,” explained Hippolyte.

“They are fantastic people and I still go to their house now and then. I never met Peter Marinello. I was staying with his relatives Tony, his son Steven and Tony’s partner Sharon.

“It was nice because I was away from home and not near my own family so it was great to stay with a family. They looked after me well. Maybe if I score the winner they won’t invite me back for dinner. But they wanted me to do well. There’s a little bit of competition there, but it’s good.”

Hippolyte is hoping to celebrate helping Falkirk set up a play-off final against Kilmarnock just days after the pain of Livingston’s relegation from the Championship following a play-off defeat to Stranraer. He added: “It’s upsetting, I went there to watch them because I still have good mates there. My heart goes out to the club, they gave me a good chance to set a platform for myself.”