Hibs make history with cup double

Hibs Ladies team manager Chris Roberts and centre half Joelle Murray holding the Ladies League cup and the Scottish Cup respectively. Picture: Scott Louden

Hibs Ladies have made history after securing the Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup with a 2-1 win over Glasgow City at Ainslie Park – following an injury time clincher from midfielder Lizzie Arnot.

The result marks the first time a Scottish club’s men’s and women’s teams have won major cups in the same season.

And Captain Joelle Murray admitted the sense of heart-pounding jubilation would stay with the team for the rest of their lives.

Speaking to the Evening News, the centre-half said: “I don’t think I got to sleep until the early hours of the morning.

“It’s hard to unwind after a game as it is – but it was even harder to unwind after that. There were incredible scenes. It’s absolutely fantastic for the club as a whole to obviously have the men win the Scottish Cup, and now we’ve won the League Cup. And the manner we won it in was so similar.”

The 29-year-old, who grew up in the Borders but has lived in the Capital for the past six years, said there had been celebrations on and off the pitch when the final whistle blew.

She added: “There was a sense of relief because we have been so close over the last few years. I knew we had the talent to do it, but with it being Glasgow City there was always the mental barrier there.

“There was no question about our talent, it was just whether we performed on the night.

“I was just delighted for all the other girls who have never experienced anything like that. I think the girls can be proud of themselves – they’ve worked so hard.”

Lizzie Arnot’s winning goal came in the 92nd minute – echoing David Gray’s triumphant header during last month’s Hampden showdown. A half-time result of 1-1 only added to the sense of déjà vu.

Wednesday night’s victory marked an end to Glasgow City’s domination of Scottish women’s football and a historic double for Hibs, whose women’s side last lifted a trophy in 2011.

Easter Road bosses hailed the achievement as a “just reward” for hard work – and said they hoped fans would turn out in force in the months to come to keep up the momentum.

A spokesman said: “We would like to congratulate Chris [Roberts, head coach], the players and everyone connected to Hibernian Ladies on their success. To win the cup against a strong Glasgow City side is an excellent achievement and just reward for their hard work and commitment. Both the men’s and women’s sides now have exciting European trips to look forward to after their historic cup wins, and we hope more and more supporters will back both teams in the months to come.”

[email protected]