BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Hibs star Fraser Fyvie is determined to grasp the opportunity to claim silverware in Scotland – after coming agonisingly close to crossing swords with Manchester City during Wigan’s unforgettable FA Cup final triumph.
The 22-year-old boasts a winners’ medal after playing in five of the seven rounds during the Latics march to the trophy in 2013, which was their first ever major honour.
However, it could have been so much better for Fyvie, who was within seconds of entering the fray when Ben Watson bulleted a 90th-minute header beyond Joe Hart to ultimately settle the contest.
Roberto Martinez told Fyvie, still just a teenager at the time, in no uncertain terms to “sit back down”.
And while the former Aberdeen playmaker will cherish the experience and subsequent celebrations, he acknowledges that playing a key role on the pitch would mean more.
Hibs face St Johnstone in the League Cup semi-final next Saturday at Tynecastle before battling city rivals Hearts at the same venue in the Scottish Cup fifth round.
Fyvie said: “I was actually coming on and then Ben Watson scored and Roberto Martinez told me to sit back down!
“I had been shown the corner routines, was stripped – shirt off and ready to go – when the manager said ‘sit back down.’ It was quite funny, I suppose.
“I don’t know whether I was going to make the difference – I was going to fill a jersey, at least, the boys were a bit leggy by that point – but then Ben scored and the rest is history.
“It was a great day and a wonderful occasion, but if I could actually be on the field and make a difference in a final then that would be special.
“I played five games out of seven during that run and was in the squad for the final, so I felt involved and, as a 19-year-old at a Premier League team, it was a privilege to experience it.
“But, back in Scotland now, I want to win things here. To experience something like that at Hampden would be great.”
Fyvie reckons he is due a slice of luck in semi-finals north of the border, having succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Falkirk in the Scottish Cup at Hampden last year and a 2-1 defeat against Hibs – while at Aberdeen – in 2012.
Luck
He continued: “Last year against Falkirk is something we want to put right. It’s a different competition, but the same sort of occasion. I think we will learn from that.
“I played in a semi-final for Aberdeen – against Hibs – too. I remember I had just come back from injury, it was my first game back.
“It was three-and-a-half weeks after I did my ankle ligaments – which was supposed to keep me out for six weeks! I made sure I was available to play, but obviously it was a massive disappointment to get beat.
“Leigh Griffiths made the difference. He scored goals for fun for Hibs back then and you just need to look at what her has gone on to achieve.
“Hopefully I’m due a bit of luck, you need that on these occasions, something to go your way – and obviously you need to turn up on the day.”
Meanwhile, Fyvie speaking for the first time since he received a two-game ban for feigning being head-butted by Andy Halliday against Rangers on December 28, declined to speak in detail about the incident.
He added: “It’s been dealt with, to be honest. The SFA had their bit to say and it is dead and buried now.
“The manager spoke to me and what was said, was said. What was said is between me and him.”
