Hibs icon admits retirement thoughts amid clear aim as cup final win completes rare milestone
The former Hibee helped Raith Rovers to Challenge Cup glory against Inverness
Hibs icon Lewis Stevenson admits he’s considered calling time on his playing career after joining an exclusive list with Raith Rovers’ KDM Evolution Trophy win.
During his time at Hibs, the defender was part of the side that broke the Scottish Cup curse in 2016 against Rangers and also helped them to League Cup glory in 2007 when they defeated Kilmarnock. After Raith hammered Inverness 4-1 at Firhill in the Challenge Cup final on Sunday, it now means Stevenson has completed the hat-trick of domestic cup competitions.
Stevenson moved to Rovers in 2024 after spending nearly two decades at Easter Road, making over 600 Hibs appearances. He made the Kirkcaldy switch alongside fellow Hibs icon, Paul Hanlon, who missed out on Sunday’s final through injury. After completing the set of domestic cups, Stevenson said that if he is to call it a day in the near future, he can look back with fond memories.
Stevenson reflects on cup triumph in twilight years
The 38-year old said: "My career's going to be coming to an end soon, I realise that, and it's good to get wins you can look back on and see how much it meant to the fans .When I've hung up the boots, to have won all the domestic cups is something I'll be very proud of. So it's another wee record ticked off.
“Have I thought about the end of my career? I think about what I'm going to do every night when I'm trying to sleep! It's a horrible feeling. It's hard because I know I'm 38 and people write you off, but I still feel I can play at a decent level. People always say you are a long time retired so play as long as you can. If my legs were gone and I thought I was letting the team down every week I'd be first to hold my hands up.
"But I still feel I've got stuff to give, even if it's a back-up role somewhere. I enjoy it too much, not just the games but the day-to-day stuff, being in the changing room with the boys where it's a great laugh. It's something I want to make the most of for hopefully another year anyway."
Who else has completed the domestic cup treble?
Stevenson joined former Hibees, Leigh Griffiths and Callum Booth on the list of players to win all three cups. Griffiths won the Challenge Cup with Dundee and the big two with Celtic while Booth was part of the St Johnstone side that won both the Scottish and League Cup in 2021 having already won the Challenge Cup with Raith. Elsewhere, Colin Cameron and Billy Dodds are the only men to have won each cup competition with three different clubs. James Tavernier and Michael O’Halloran have also completed the trinity.
Stevenson said winning silverware with his local side made the win a little extra special and is happy to add himself to the list. He continued: "There are only eight or nine others who have done it. I know James Tavernier has done it with Rangers, Callum Booth, my old Hibs pal, did it with Rovers and St Johnstone. With Raith being my hometown team, I had as much family at Sunday's game as I did at the other two finals. So little memories like that I'll cherish forever. Now I'm going to need a bigger mantelpiece at home for all these medals."