Delighted for my "local" team, a deserved first senior trophy for them. A team that play football the right way - with honesty and endeavour - and for the right reasons - for their community and the Highlands in general.
I thought they got their tactics absolutely spot on, had the right man to completely nullify the supposed threat of the newly crowned "Best Midielder in Scotland" who didn't seem to have the nous to escape Irvine's attentions at all, and had the right men in attack to take their chances when they came - even if the winner was created by a tired-looking attempted clearance from a defender. I've no doubt if the final had gone to extra-time, Ross County would have had too much legs in the final 30 minutes for Hibs anyway.
Some bizarre decisions from the ref too - the goal disallowed for simply jumping higher than the keeper - a clear foul obviously
- and the predilection to give free kicks to Hibs every time they lost a 50/50 tackle, first half especially. However, the better team won on the day fair and square.
Was disappointed again at the TV scenes of a triumphant cup-winning captain lifting the trophy to the backdrop of deserted seats in the 'Celtic' end of Hampden. Were it ever so. . .
I thought they got their tactics absolutely spot on, had the right man to completely nullify the supposed threat of the newly crowned "Best Midielder in Scotland" who didn't seem to have the nous to escape Irvine's attentions at all, and had the right men in attack to take their chances when they came - even if the winner was created by a tired-looking attempted clearance from a defender. I've no doubt if the final had gone to extra-time, Ross County would have had too much legs in the final 30 minutes for Hibs anyway.
Some bizarre decisions from the ref too - the goal disallowed for simply jumping higher than the keeper - a clear foul obviously
- and the predilection to give free kicks to Hibs every time they lost a 50/50 tackle, first half especially. However, the better team won on the day fair and square.Was disappointed again at the TV scenes of a triumphant cup-winning captain lifting the trophy to the backdrop of deserted seats in the 'Celtic' end of Hampden. Were it ever so. . .