Emotional Hibs boss Reedijk reveals reaction to Sunshine on Leith sing-along after historic Hampden derby win
Edinburgh derby winners will face Rangers in final on December 13 - and gaffer believes another upset is more than possible
Marink Reedijk had his heart melted by an emotional Sunshine on Leith sing-along at Hampden, as Hibs celebrated a victory for the ages in today’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final. And the Dutch coach hailed his players for coming back from a “punch in the face” to bag a historic 2-1 win over Hearts.
The first ever Hibs manager to lead his team to a derby win at the national stadium, Reedijk said he’d been genuinely moved by the post-match love-in between players, staff and supporters as the unofficial club anthem was belted out with gusto. It was, he said, an emotional experience.
‘Ice king’ moved by touching tribute
“I'm not always showing my emotions, but it's really touching,” said the 35-year-old. “So maybe it looks like I'm an ice king, so to say. Normally in Holland we say ice queen, but therefore an ice king because I'm not a woman.
“But for me, it is really important that this happens and it comes close to my heart because this is what football is about. Guys who inspire people on the pitch with something people off the pitch and in the stands love to see.
“I believe that I have to be away from the emotions as much as possible because at the end of the day, I have to make rational decisions, do the logical things. If I go into the emotion too much, which is tempting to be fair with you because it's a lovely atmosphere, then I lose sight of what is my job.
“And this is something I always take into account. Again, maybe I don't seem emotional, but deep inside there is.”
Hibs came back from the loss of a goal after just three minutes to put themselves ahead before half-time, Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath scoring the goals. For Reedijk, his team’s ability to bounce back from such an early set-back said plenty about their collective character.
“So, first and foremost, it's a corner,” he said, adding: “We worked on it during the week because we conceded two already before. We changed bits in bobs.
“Then the first corner goes in like this - and that's a punch in the face for everyone. How the players coped with that, dealt with that, but also changed the rhythm of the match afterwards, that was brilliant to see.
“And that's a big compliment to them because that's something which in the earlier matches we had more problems with. And then when we got to 2-1 in front, we also kept believing that we can take it to half-time and when we got it to half-time, we could take it to 90 minutes. And that's super important that that belief comes with us as a whole club.”
Boyle and Newell earn high praise
Former captains Boyle and Joe Newell both turned in stellar performances on the day, Reedijk saying: “So for me, Martin was sick during the week – but he is a guy who lives by these matches. He is a guy who can disrupt opponents in special ways, a special player in that sense. And for me, therefore, it was no doubt in my mind to put him on the pitch.
“For Joe, I can only take my hat off to how he copes with the fact that we play three matches in the week. And now it's not only about that he can cope with three matches in the week, but also the performances he put on the pitch. Today he was important for the two goals.
“And I'm very happy for him as well because he came from a long injury history and without playing. How he puts himself fully into the game, that's really good to see.”
Hibs will return to play Rangers at Hampden in the final on December 13. Asked what he’s seen to give him belief of creating another upset against the favourites, Reedijk declared: “The performance of today and the performance we showed the weeks before. And if we have more progression, we progress even better and better and better.
“We can make every opponent's lives a little bit difficult or very difficult. And no matter which team it is, it's always another match to play. Finals are, again, special matches, but also finals are not only based on these special moments.
“It's also about teams with a plan and teams with an idea. And I think if we build on what we are doing now, keep on going and it will have ups and downs. I know I have a really good belief that we also can do something in the final.”