At that point, Newell – who proceeded to pull the strings – was full of fear.

“Oh no, here we go,” he recalled.

A simple but strong header from Claudio Braga, before many supporters had even taken to their seats, brought concern.

Could a repeat of that unforgettable afternoon – Hibs supporters aren’t allowed to forget it – 14 years ago, when Hearts fired five past them in the Scottish Cup final, be on the cards?

“The game plan was out the window,” midfielder Newell said. “It’s not ideal, is it?

“You go to bed (on Saturday night) thinking of all the scenarios and the way you dream and imagine the game is going to go and then, after two minutes, they score.

“But I think, if anything, it shows how good the character is and kind of emphasises it was even more of a special performance, not just the win.”

Which is, surely, what Reedijk and his team will take out of this the most. Any team can win a cup game, but not any team can show the grit, determination and depth Hibs did in setting up a final against Rangers next month.



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