Hibs' Hampden heroes take to social media to recall historic Scottish Cup victory over Rangers

Hibs captain David Gray (left) lifts the Scottish Cup, as he and his team mates celebrate winning the Scottish Cup on May 21, 2016.

Twitter has turned green and white today as Hibs mark the anniversary of their historic Scottish Cup final win over Rangers.

The Hampden heroes have been recalling that unforgettable 3-2 victory on May 21, 2016, sealed by captain David Gray's injury-time header, which finally ended the Easter Road side's 114-year long wait for the trophy.

Tweeting yesterday, the man who masterminded the win, former manager Alan Stubbs, posted: "I can’t believe it’s been four years, but tomorrow I’m looking forward to watching the 2016 Scottish Cup Final back in full with @HibernianFC. I won’t spoil the ending but it’s worth sticking around for."

Today, Stubbs has been recalling the timeline of the day, starting with the crucial decision to play Dylan McGeough, despite the midfielder's injury concerns at the time.

Posting a picture of the playmaker lifting the trophy, Stubbs added: "Delighted for @DMcGeouch. Could of been so different. Had a very honest conversation at this time on the day of the game to ask him if he honestly thought he could last 90mins and make the decision for the team rather than himself? Myself and the staff made the right call."

Stubbs also gave an insight into the team's preparations, posting shortly after midday: "Players would of just been finishing their pre match meal now-Choices from poached eggs,pasta,rice, bolognese sauce,chicken, salmon,vegetables, cereals etc. Players starting to get a bit edgy now,that’s normal!! Off back to rooms for to get ready,suits on for 12.45 leave."

Posting again at quarter to three, Stubbs added: “Players out warming up outside and this is a chance to have a quiet moment to myself to go over what I want to say to the players before they go out to make history! #114 years no more!”

With Hibs broadcasting the final again this afternoon on their Youtube channel, a number of former players were tweeting throughout, with Marvin Bartley reacting to David Gray’s winner by posting: “Oh ya baldy b******!!!!!!!! Less hair than a balloon but we don’t care, go on Davey son!!!!!!”

At full-time midfielder Fraser Fyvie, now with Cove Rangers, posted: “Party time what a feeling that was! Great memories. Loved my time at @HibernianFC. Fantastic time to be at the football club. All the way through the club was great people involved.”

Other players were also looking back on their big day, with Scotland midfielder John McGinn, who went on to earn a £2.75m move to Aston Villa in 2018, simply posting, “4 years ago today. Hibsed it”, in reference to the jibes aimed at the club at the time for their apparent lack of success.

Defender Liam Fontaine, who wore number five that day, posted a picture of himself lifting the trophy with the simple message: "Happy 21st May Hibees".

James Keatings, who came on as a 65th minute substitute in the final, was another who posted a picture of himself lifting the trophy, adding: "4 years ago today. What a day it was." During the rerun of the game he also added: “

Goalkeeper Conrad Logan, the hero of the semi-final shoot-out win over Dundee United and a cult figure at Easter Road, simply posted a green love heart emoji, with Hibs fan Brian (@bampotto) replying: "Couldn’t have done it without you. Wouldn’t even have been in the final. Your contribution will never be forgotten. Legend."

After watching the rerun of the game, one of the cup heroes who is still at the club, Martin Boyle, an unused sub that day, added: “Thank god that’s over.. another week bender on the cards!”

The back room staff also played their part and Steven Curnyn, the Head of Academy Football Science and Medicine at Hibs, recalled: "I was standing in the tunnel after putting together all the carbohydrate drinks prepared for extra time at 90+1 then 90+2 changed everything #thatdayinmay."

There were celebrations in the Hampden directors box too, with Leeann Dempster witnessing her first silverware as Hibs chief executive since joining from Motherwell two years earlier.

Today she tweeted: "Loving reading all the comments from players, staff and supporters reliving what was such a special day ... Also a reminder of how much we all miss our Hibernian community at the moment. Stay safe and we'll see you all soon."

There was also an emotional video from celebrity fan, Grant Stott, the well-known broadcaster from Edinburgh, reminsicing about attending the match with his father.

“What can be said about the 21st May, 2016 that hasn't already been said, talked about, remembered and cherished? Probably loads, and I will never ever tire of hearing those stories, or telling my own,” he said.

“Two points will always stay with me about that day. First and foremost that I spent it with my dad, who is now 80 and up until that point had been to see Hibs try seven times in seven different Scottish Cup finals, and never seen them win obviously.

“He was getting to the point where he thought, ‘you know son, I've never going to see this happen’. So to spend it with him on that day is something I will always cherish.

“The second point is that was the day that everything changed for every single Hibs fan. Nothing was the same again after that. Song books were chucked in the bin and life was different, ever season was different after that. It was a huge moment and easily one of the best days of my life."

Hibs Women captain and Scotland international Joelle Murray also tweeted: “Still get goosebumps and encounter so many emotions thinking about being at Hampden on this day 4 years ago, a day I will never forget #TimeForHeroes”.