BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Lewis Stevenson insists Hibernian owe it to their supporters to lift the Scottish Cup after enduring another season of heartbreak.
The Easter Road side tasted bitter defeat on their last visit to Hampden, succumbing to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat against Ross County.
They also saw their promotion campaign end in harrowing fashion, with Bob McHugh scoring with the last kick of the game to secure a 5-4 aggregate win for Falkirk in the Premiership playoff semi-final.
But Stevenson knows that all that pain would be alleviated if Hibs can finally end their 114-year wait for Scottish Cup glory against Rangers this afternoon.
Stevenson said: “It’s an occasion you dream about playing in and we are all looking forward to – we feel like we need to make amends and there is no better way to do that than lifting the cup.
“We need to give the supporters more to cheer about week in, week out. We have been nearly getting there, nearly getting there – it happens so often. As a player it is hard to take and, as a fan, it’s just as bad.
“I want to win it as much, if not more, than the fans do and we’ll give it our very best shot.
“Ever since I came to this club, the Scottish Cup has been the thing the fans talk about more than anything else. It is a massive thing for everyone at the club.
And, despite lauding the Ibrox side’s performances this term, Stevenson is adamant Rangers’ swash-buckling style means Hibs can expose their defensive frailties.
He told HibsTV: “Rangers are a good team, they keep the ball well and they have good players. They are far better than they were last season. They do take chances at the back, so they give you a wee chance.
“We have showed this season that we can beat them, but they will probably feel the same so it is about who performs best on the day.”
