Michael Weir: Hibs should not have been asked to play in horrendous conditions - but a cup run is definitely on now
How anyone can expect sportsmen to play in the sort of weather conditions we’ve suffered over the weekend is beyond me.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdI watched the Scotland v England Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield on Saturday and then, yesterday, Hibs’ Scottish Cup tie against BSC Glasgow and the conditions for both were absolutely horrendous.
Jack Ross was right in describing what the players had to endure at the Indodrill Stadium as “bordering on the farcical” with the wind blowing in all directions and making life for both teams very difficult indeed.
However, with both games going out live on television, I suppose there was a pressure not to have them called off – although the wind certainly spoiled the spectacle.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHaving said that, I’m sure nothing would have spoiled the day for the BSC players. It was a massive occasion for them, a club which entered the Lowland League only six years ago coming up against one of the country’s oldest and biggest outfits.
It was a truly special day for them and although Hibs won comfortably in the end, I think Stephen Swift and his players deserve huge credit for their efforts.
BSC were brave, they went with two up with strikers who have scored a lot of goals between them and played to their strengths rather than simply trying to get everyone behind the ball.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt was one day when they probably dreamt of making headlines but at the end of the day it was the quality of Marc McNulty which made the difference. He took all three of his goals very well and he’ll have benefited hugely from getting 90 minutes under his belt, as will Greg Docherty.
The two of them will add a freshness to the squad going into the second half of the season which is always good to have as we look to nail down a place in the top six – and there’s still some work to be done on that front – and, of course, the Scottish Cup.
Again the draw has been very kind to us, a home match against Inverness Caley, the only non-Premiership side left in the competition, which gives us a great chance of making the semi-finals and then, who knows, anything can happen.
However, it won’t be easy. Everyone knows as a Jambo, John Robertson will relish bringing his side to Easter Road with the obvious hope of an upset.