HIBERNIAN have enough Scottish Cup final curses to worry about already without the prospect of another one coming along to further jinx them. When you haven’t won a certain trophy for 114 years then it is only natural that you begin to wonder whether there may be supernatural forces at play. News, then, that Pat Fenlon, the defeated manager in the 2012 and 2013 finals, will be back at Hampden on May 21 to cheer on his old club against Rangers in this year’s showpiece affair may have some Hibs fans grumbling. Hasn’t he done enough damage already?!

Fenlon, though, is not a man for superstitions or other such mumbo-jumbo. Prior to the final against Hearts in 2012, the theory was that this would be Hibs’ turn as it was the first time an Irishman had taken charge of the team since Dan McMichael lifted the trophy in 1902. It didn’t make a blind bit of difference in the end.

“We heard all about curses and the likes, particularly leading into the first final,” recalled Fenlon, now managing Shamrock Rovers in Dublin. “I think everybody bought into that, an Irish manager having won it the last time. Obviously that wasn't true! It was good story for everyone, that one, but unfortunately it didn't ring true. It's not something I dwelt on and thought you have to do this because of that. I would have loved to have done it but the other stuff didn't bother me.

“It was probably more a desire to win it because of the history, rather than a pressure because there was nothing I could do about the previous 100 years and it's the same for Alan Stubbs this time. You are thinking you want to be the manager to win the cup for Hibs. You want to put that to bed for the supporters as well. More so that, there was a determination and a desire to do that rather than a fear of it.”

It could not have gone worse for Hibs in 2012, the 5-1 thrashing by Hearts something not likely to be forgotten in Edinburgh for quite some time. It seemed as if Fenlon was destined to be forever followed around by photobombing Hearts fans holding up five digits in one hand and one on the other. Mercifully returning home has spared him that ignominy.

“There aren’t many Hearts fans in Ireland, thanks be to god! And if there are I’ll find out where they are! It’s not something I dwell on. It wasn’t nice for the Hibs supporters but I don’t think about it a lot. It’s a part of football and you just have to take the bad times with the good.”

The final will be the sixth meeting of the season between Hibs and Rangers, and Fenlon believes his old club will have little to fear.

“I think that’s a good opponent for Hibs,” added Fenlon who also lost the 2013 final, 3-0 to Celtic. “They know they’ve had the beating of Rangers at times this season and I think that’s important going into the final. Over the years for anyone playing the Old Firm in a cup final it’s always hard as when Celtic or Rangers see that trophy it’s hard to dislodge them. But Hibs know they’ve got a chance of beating Rangers. They’ve done it already this season. They’ve got the making of them, and Rangers will know that. It’s not clear cut but maybe everyone is pointing towards Rangers because they beat Celtic in the semi-final but it doesn’t always work like that. So hopefully Hibs can come out on top.”

- Pat Fenlon was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.