BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster has declared the Easter Road club ‘pleased’ with the decision to stage January’s League Cup semi-final with St Johnstone at Tynecastle rather than Hampden.
The tie will go ahead at the home of bitter city rivals Hearts on Saturday, January 30, with a 3 p.m. kick-off, and Celtic’s clash with Ross County will be played at the national stadium 24 hours later.
A poll running one Hibs fans’ website suggests a majority of supporters prefer a trip across the capital to Tynecastle instead of a trek to Glasgow for the clash with Saints.
And, following talks with the SPFL on Thursday, Dempster believes the right decision has been taken.
She said: “We are delighted to be looking forward to a semi-final appearance in January.
“We met with the SPFL and the other clubs at Hampden (on Thursday) to discuss dates and venues.
“The benefits of both Hampden Park and Tynecastle Stadium were discussed and, on balance, we are pleased with the decision made.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of anticipation for the match and we’ll announce the ticket information in due course.”
Hibs defeated St Johnstone at Tynecastle in the semi-final of the tournament when they went on to lift the trophy in 2007.
On that occasion, Saints were the First Division side and Hibs were in the top-flight.
Two goals in extra-time gave John Collins’ Easter Road outfit a 3-1 victory and sent them into the final, where they hammered Kilmarnock 5-1 to lift their last piece of silverware.
@IainCollin
