TRAINSPOTTING author Irvine Welsh has claimed his “secret coaching sessions” are the reason for Hibs’ success in the Edinburgh derby.
The 59-year-old author has shared images of himself with the players and manager Neil Lennon taken before the Hibees defeated their fierce rivals 3-1 in Wednesday night’s Scottish Cup tie.
Welsh, a lifelong fan of the Leith team, earlier this week suggested he’d pen a third Trainspotting novel should they beat Hearts.
And now he’s revealed that it was his training that helped the side overcome the Jambos.
Welsh shared an image last night of him alongside the Hibs players at their East Mains training ground with the caption: “I suspected that those secret coaching sessions I’ve been putting in with the boys would pay off at some point. @HibsOfficial #GGTTH.”
The snap shows a smiling Welsh alongside striker Grant Holt, who scored against Hearts, and the other Hibs players, including captain David Gray and Scotland International John McGinn.
Later, he also shared a photo of him standing proudly next to manager Neil Lennon, with the caption: “Me, Neil Lennon and Hearts, all in one picture. @HibsOfficial #GGTTH.”
Lennon, the mastermind of their cup victory, has his arm round the famous writer as the pair stand in the training ground canteen.
Twitter users were quick to react to the images.
Tracy Macrae referred to an iconic scene from the original Trainspotting and wrote: “Yep, it was those sprints, especially the ones down Princes Street that definitely helped.”
Iain MacPhail commented: “Choose Hibs, choose knocking Hearts out every February, choose exuberance on the Hampden turf, choose The Scottish Cup.”
Whilst Clare added: “Lennonspotting.”
Welsh’s Hibs allegiance is clear in the original Trainspotting film, as Begbie wears a Hibs top whilst he plays five-a-side.
The sequel, T2:Trainspotting has proven extremely popular with fans and critics alike and made more than £5 million in its opening weekend.
Hibs won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114-years last year after beating Rangers 3-2 in the final at Hampden.
After knocking out Hearts on Wednesday night, they will now face Championship side Ayr United in the quarter-finals.
