Ivan: glory can be ours

IVAN SPROULE today claimed Hibs have paved the way to CIS Cup glory by ditching Capital rivals Hearts.

With Celtic and Rangers having also crashed out of the competition, the Easter Road outfit are one of the favourites to lift the trophy at Hampden next March.

But, with the bitter memory of two semi-final defeats behind him, Northern Ireland star Sproule warned his team-mates not to take anything for granted.

However, he believes the experience of 2004 when Hibs beat both Celtic and Rangers only to lose to Livingston in the CIS Cup final will stand John Collins' side in good stead as they seek to win their first trophy since 1991.

Agreeing with boss Collins that Hibs had turned in a "fantastic" performance to totally outclass Hearts in a one-sided derby, Sproule said: "Having Celtic, Rangers and Hearts out leaves us with a great chance but we've had hard games against Kilmarnock and Falkirk this season while St Johnstone showed last night they are no mugs.

"However, it is in our own hands if we really want this Cup and there is no reason why we cannot go and get it.

"Personally speaking, I have been in two semi-finals and lost since I joined Hibs and I am getting sick of it as I am sure the rest of the boys are as well.

"It's been the same old, same old each year, getting to a semi-final and losing so it would be nice to go and get our hands on the Cup and bring a bit of silverware back to Easter Road."

Beating Hearts to claim a place in the last four gave Sproule a great deal of personal satisfaction after the ignominy of being sent off in last season's Scottish Cup semi-final as Hibs crashed 4-0 to their rivals.

He said: "I let myself and the fans down. But you learn from such things and I have done so. This time we got the right result and hopefully it can take us on to getting our hands on the trophy."

Boss Collins, however, today warned his players to forget all about the semi-final, which will be played at the end of January, and to focus entirely on Saturday's SPL clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Collins' squad were back training today with the manager saying: "It was a wonderful performance and result, great all round for everyone and hopefully it is the first of many.

"We started well, took control and kept driving forward. Hearts are a powerful team but we made sure we pinned them back with good passion, pressing, and fantastic attitude right through from the goalkeeper to the strikers.

"But I don't want us talking about the semi-final, only Saturday which is a big match for us. I want the three points to see us start climbing the table because it doesn't make pleasant reading at the moment. However, if we play at the tempo we have in our last couple of games I am confident we will win games."

And the good news for Collins was both Michael Stewart and Sproule, who picked up knocks last night, should be fit.

Collins said: "I spoke to Michael after the game and he seemed to be optimistic. Ivan took studs down his calf but hopefully he will train today."

Taken from the Scotsman