Hibs-mad couple’s vow to name baby after cup final goal scorer

IN a few years’ time there could be a whole squad of Garrys or Rudis kicking around Edinburgh – depending on which player shines in the Scottish Cup final.

But one Hibs-daft couple are already running through teamsheets at Easter Road after flirting with plans to name their newborn baby after the match-winning goalscorer – should their side win, of course.

Diehard Hibbies Kelly Hanlon and Darren Aitken are expecting the birth of their first child just days after the much-anticipated all-Edinburgh showdown on May 19.

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But despite being in the final stages of pregnancy, Kelly said she would be travelling to Hampden, refusing to miss the once-in-a-lifetime game.

“The fact we have never been up against each other in over 100 years in a Scottish Cup final means I may never see it again so it’s definitely not one I want to miss,” she said.

“If we won we could name our son after whoever scores the winner. We like the name Leigh and, if it was Garry O’Connor, I’m sure my partner’s dad would be equally excited as his name’s Gary too.

“There aren’t too many dodgy names in the team, although Pa Saikou might not go too well with Aitken.”

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The parents-to-be met in the Iona Bar in Easter Road after a Hibs game three years ago, and have been together ever since. Kelly said the couple elected to consider Hibs players names for their baby after failing to agree on any themselves.

“We know we are having a boy and can’t decide on a name so, if we are lucky enough to win and the goalscorer has a nice name then, yeah, we would consider it,” Kelly said.

Partner Darren, 24, said: “I contemplated trying to stop her going to the game because she is so pregnant but she is having none of it.

“Hibs have always been a big part of our relationship and we have spoken about calling our boy after one of the players – as a first name or perhaps a middle name, depending on what it is.

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“I wouldn’t be surprised if nerves on the day brought labour on early – it would be some story if he was born on the day of the cup final.”

Kelly added: “It’s the atmosphere that I really don’t want to miss, as it would be such an amazing occasion if we win. Being there to watch the team lift the cup at last would be unbelievable.

“We have talked about naming our child after whoever scores the winner but then obviously that has to happen first.

“That’s the downside to a game this big as well, losing it to Hearts would be hard to take, to say the least.”

LIKELY LADS

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FOR the benefit of Kelly and Darren – and for other madcap parents considering a permanent reminder of the cup final in their family – the Evening News contacted a high street bookmaker to get early odds on the most likely goalscorers.

Ladbrokes reckons Hearts’ Rudi Skacel is the best bet, ahead of Craig Beattie and Stephen Elliot.

The trio all place ahead of Hibs’ marksman Garry O’Connor, who is the Easter Road player with shortest odds to score a glory goal, ahead of Leigh Griffiths.

Odds for the top five most likely goalscorers are:

• For Hearts – Rudi Skacel 5/1, Craig Beattie 6/1, Stephen Elliot 6/1, David Templeton 10/1 and Andrew Driver 12/1

• For Hibs – Garry O’Connor 7/1, Leigh Griffiths 9/1, Roy O’Donovan 9/1, Tom Soares 14/1, and Ivan Sproule 14/1

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