‘Emotional’ Marink Reedijk enjoys post-match scenes as Hibernian book final spot

Marink Reedijk was touched by Hibernian fans’ emotional rendition of ‘Sunshine on Leith’ following their landmark 2-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final win over city rivals Hearts at Barclays Hampden.

Jambos attacker Claudio Braga headed in from a corner only for returning striker Martin Boyle to deservedly level in the 19th minute before Jamie McGrath put the Hibees, bottom of the William Hill Premiership, ahead three minutes before the interval.

Hearts turned up the heat after the break but Hibs held out while retaining a threat at the other end to set up a final with Rangers at the national stadium on December 13.

It was the Dutchman’s first win as Hibs boss at the fifth attempt and Hibs’ first win against Hearts at Hampden after losing in 2006, 2012, 2020 and 2022 and the happy Hibees fans belted out the club anthem after the game.

Reedijk said: “I’m not always showing my emotions, but it’s really touching.

“So maybe it looks like I’m an ice King, so to say.

“Normally in Holland we say ice Queen, but therefore an ice King because I’m not a woman.

“But for me, it is really important that this happens and it comes close to my heart because this is what football is about.

“Guys who inspire people on the pitch with something people off the pitch and in the stands love to see. That is what football is about.”

Hibs midfielder Joe Newell admitted the scenes at the end of the game “will live with me forever.”

“That’s probably my favourite,” he said. “I’m probably getting emotional now, but it’s just seeing that at Hampden, it’s just incredible.

“We’ve been through a lot this season, obviously, already, the fans. So to give them that, it’s unbelievable. You can’t actually put it into words.

“It’s such a special feeling inside. A lot of the boys have probably seen it for the first time today.

“And if they didn’t know now how special the club is, they will do.”

Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken was “really sore and disappointed” after the defeat and believes their woes started when Tomas Magnusson and Calvin Miller had to come off in the first half, adding to a lengthy injury list.

He said: “It didn’t have to go this way because we had control of the game when it started.

“I think it started when Tomas was injured, that’s clear, and afterwards Calvin Miller.

“And those two changes – I am not pointing at the players who came in – but the changes took us off the rhythm.

“We were strong in the duels and second balls, then you lose these profiles, then it is searching again and hesitation and sometimes those hesitations give them too much space and you lose the game in those 20 minutes.

“We dominated the game again but it was just a pity that we didn’t get rewarded because we have had a lot of knocks already, also today, and you just hope they get rewarded.”