THERE are easier things to be than a supporter of Hibernian Football Club but then again most other activities, say base jumping or lion taming, are dull by comparison.
A little over three years ago, Leith’s finest found themselves in a relegation play-off with Hamilton Academical. Leading by two goals from the first-leg, the job was near enough done, and then they contrived to lose on penalties at Easter Road.
Since then there have been defeats in play-offs, semi-finals and a final, they eventually won the Scottish Cup on an afternoon when just about everything happened and now this; promotion back to the Premiership after three years under the management of Neil Lennon.
Their return should be welcomed by all. We now have at least three derbies next season, the meetings with Aberdeen and Rangers ought to be tasty, and then there’s the intriguing prospect of Lennon facing Celtic.
With so much going on it’s almost easy to forget Hibs have another Scottish Cup semi-final, on Saturday against Aberdeen, to look forward to.
Hibs should never have been where they were. Too many bad decisions at boardroom level, especially when it came to the manager, resulted in their relegation rather than any money problems.
However, they are back and one fan who just so happens to get a game every week, Darren McGregor, is looking forward to the next part of the adventure.
He was a St Mirren player when his team lost to Hamilton in May, 2014 and couldn’t quite believe that the team he had always followed had, even by their standards, blown it big time.
McGregor said: “I was actually at a friend’s wedding when the second leg was being played. I never gave it a second thought because we were 2-0 up from the first leg. I took it for granted we’d be fine.
“I was told halfway through the wedding. It was a sore point! The connection was there because I was a fan, but it’s much stronger now I’m playing. We’ve missed out in the last couple of years and I’m so grateful we’ve got it done and dusted. The play-offs are a real slog.
“People ask what it means to be a Hibs supporter doing this and it’s hard to sum up in a couple of lines. I pinch myself every day that I’m in this situation. Leaving Rangers to come here was a great achievement. Winning the Scottish Cup was massive.
“To play for the club that I’ve supported and get promoted… I’m on cloud nine. I’m trying to take it all in. I’ve such a hunger and a desire to do well for the club and the fans. It’s not just me. My family and my friends are all Hibs fans.”
McGregor scored twice in the win over Queen of the South, David Gray got the other in what was an easy 3-0 win, to get his club over a line which they could see for some time.
He said: “I just felt like we’d been dragging our heels for the last four or five weeks. There was apprehension. You think about the worst-case scenario, maybe because I’m a bit of a pessimist.
"We’ve been desperate to get it over the line. We knew St Mirren were in form and that they’d cause Falkirk problems. It was great that we were able to do it in front of 17,000 fans at Easter Road, because they’ve backed us brilliantly all season.”
And the secret to McGregor’s success? A night at the flicks with some sweeties.
He revealed: “I was at the cinema with my mates on Friday night, watching the new Fast and Furious film, and one of them bought an extra large pick’n’mix.
“I don’t normally eat sweets before a game. Maybe that gave me the energy to get up there. He brought back about £15 of sweets. I went for the toffee ones and the cola bottles. I hadn’t scored many and I was getting plenty of stick.
“It goes without saying this has been the best two years of my career, 110 per cent. It’s been hard to take all of it in. As a boy you grow up playing in the back garden with friends. You’ve jumpers for goalposts with ambitions of playing at whatever level.
“But to play for the club you supported, given the road I’ve had. I’m so thankful every time I’m on the pitch. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
Hibs fans have witnessed a few false dawns in their time but this somehow doesn’t feel like one.
They have a good manager, some damn fine players even if the squad needs strengthening and a fan-base the envy of most
“It all depends on winning,” said Lennon when asked how big the club can get. “The more you win, the more the crowds will come, the more successful you are, the more the crowds will come.
“I think off the back of winning the cup there was a sense of pride and a feel-good factor, and people wanted to come and watch Hibs again. My job next season is to maintain that.
“We have been up around the top all season and that entices people to come. Can we get the crowds in if we are mid-table next season? That remains to be seen. It can be difficult sometimes with the affordability but if we are in and around then the potential here is huge.”
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