Hibs aim to complete quick derby double at Easter Road as SWPL title holders await Cup semi-final draw
Grant Scott’s team want to make amends for heavy Rangers loss in last year’s final
Title-winning Hibs boss Grant Scott insists his all-conquering side are motivated to right one of the few wrongs from last season’s spectacular campaign, as the Edinburgh side target Sky Sports Cup glory. And the SWPL champions are looking to do a derby double as they welcome Hearts to Easter Road this weekend.
Hibs won a five-goal thriller in their Cup quarter-final with Hearts at Oriam yesterday, with Kathleen McGovern, Tegan Bowie and Eilidh Adams all hitting the target. They will be joined by Glasgow City, Rangers and Celtic in tomorrow’s semi-final draw.
This Sunday, meanwhile, Scott’s team welcome their city rivals to Easter Road on league business. Admission to the 4.10 pm KO is FREE to fans if you follow this link.
Hibs, who held off sustained challenges to clinch the SWPL title on a dramatic final day at Ibrox last season, suffered just the one really painful setback over the course of the campaign – losing the Sky Sports Cup Final 5-0 to Rangers. The agony of that loss inspired Scott’s players to win the league – and it’s still motivating them to go far in this year’s competition.
“We got to the final last year and didn't equip ourselves very well in the game, I felt,” said Scott. “We were all very disappointed, but we used it as a motivating tool last year to push us on.
“So yeah, the deeper we can go in the competition, winning games is healthy; it builds momentum in your group, belief in the group. There are three other excellent sides in the draw, so it's going to be tough either way. But we're here to play, we're here to win, we'll give it our best.”
Scott: ‘This is what this club deserves.’
Victory yesterday definitely gives Hibs a psychological edge ahead of the return fixture in front of – they hope – a bumper crowd this weekend, Scott saying: “I think it's helpful. It's a different game, different venue on grass, different surface, so there's a lot of changes in it.
“Both teams have now had a recent look at each other, so we'll have to figure each other out and try and adapt a few things for next week, perhaps. Another tough challenge.
“But we're in amongst the high end of the league and getting into semi-finals again, and that's what this club deserves, this group of players deserve. We'll hopefully prepare properly and play well next week.
“Everyone's needed, every single part of the team, all the backroom staff, the playing squad, but the fans become massively important on the match day. We hear them every single week.
“If anyone's free and wants to come and watch a great match next week, they should come. Hearts are a good football side. They're a very difficult opponent for us. We've got an even record in the last few seasons against them.
“So it'll be another good contest, but I would encourage everyone to come and support the team because this group of players are working really hard to represent this club properly. And I believe they're doing that. And if the fans come, they'll see it.”
Goal scorer Bowie is eager to enjoy a big-game experience this weekend, saying: “We want to win as many trophies as we can and get the club back to where it should be. And yeah, playing at Easter Road will be great.
“It's a big stadium. We want to get the fans along as much as possible. We've been out to schools and visiting older people at the stadium to try and get them along and just have a nice time out and enjoy supporting the women's side of the game that is obviously doing so well at the minute.
“It's massive. Come along if you can and support the team.”