Brown wants to emulate Killie hero

Bell stunned Celtic in this season’s League Cup final, pulling off a succession of brilliant saves as Killie beat the Hoops 1-0.

Now Brown wants to become the latest keeper to steal the spotlight by securing glory for Hibs in the biggest Edinburgh derby in history.

Brown is poised for a start against Hearts, with first-choice Graham Stack injured.

Brown said: “Being the keeper, it’s definitely an important role and you can have a big say.

“You look at Cammy Bell in the League Cup Final. But every player is important. Strikers need to score, defenders need to defend and midfielders needs to make things happen. You can’t ever rely on one player.

“We have four good strikers here, but we can’t just rely on them for the goals.”

Stack’s injury — picked up when he kicked upfield in the semi-final win over Aberdeen — presented Brown with a chance he feared had passed him by.

He added: “I’d never come on in a competitive match midway through the second half and I didn’t have a lot of time to think about things. But I’d prepared as normal and I was ready. I felt sorry for Graham because he’ll miss the final, but it’s given me my chance.

“I haven’t seen Graham – I think he’s gone on holiday.”

Brown has plenty big-match experience under his belt from his time at both Rangers and Celtic and he’s relishing the chance to defy Hearts.

“I’ve been on the bench for a few finals, but I’ve never been involved.

“These occasions don’t come around often and you have to savour them. We have to prepare properly and try and get the job done.”