Image source, PA Media
Hibs players joined their fans in a stirring rendition of Sunshine On Leith
ByAmy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park
"I want music, I want beer."
Such were Marink Reedijk's wishes, shared in an official Hibernian video, external from the dressing room following their historic Hampden beating of Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish League Cup semi-final.
If the Hibs head coach ventured into Leith on Sunday night he would not have been short of offers for both, as he has instantly scribbled his name into the history books.
His wait for a first win in charge ended at game five. As player of the match Joe Newell said afterwards: "I would have taken four losses if this was the way it clicked."
There was a wee wait for Reedjik to break his Hibs duck, but that is nothing compared to the agony Hibs supporters had endured since 2006 when travelling across the M8 to face their city rivals at the national stadium.
Four visits, four endings with jubilant Jambos. Until now.
The sights and sounds of Sunshine on Leith being belted from the east end of the national stadium will take some time to shift, for this is a win Hibs must savour.
Self-professed "ice king" Reedijk revelled in the iconic anthem but admitted it is his responsibility to make "rational decisions" and so remove himself from the "lovely atmosphere".
He will know he and his players must make this moment the launchpad as they attempt to lift off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
After he has enjoyed the tunes and pints, of course.
Who could have thought it would have played out this way?
On the eve of their big trip west, Hibs had slipped - again - to the foot of the league table after Kilmarnock picked up a point at home to the 10 men of St Johnstone.
A shocking place for this squad to be, but it was - temporarily - rendered meaningless 24 hours later.
Given their turbulent start to the season - missing out on Europe, failing to win at home and changing managers - being backed by 19,000 supporters was something in itself.
Finally, they were rewarded. Those who travelled to Warsaw last year to lose out on goal difference to Legia and returned from Gent in August with an abundance of hope only to have it dashed at Easter Road, had their moment of joy. And they rightly milked it.
When Jordi Altena's deep free-kick in the 93rd minute ended in goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger's hands, the roar from the other end of Hampden shook the steps on which Hearts supporters were already hovering in search of a swift exit.
Those clad in maroon - all 23,000 of them present and the many others in Gorgie - are surely the only beings unmoved by the inimitable Sunshine on Leith.
Newell had his hands on his head. Boyhood Hibee Jason Kerr was holding back the tears. Nicky Cadden was singing from chest. Arm in arm, Hibs were a unit, as they were from the minute they conceded.
"I love these kind of things" - Marink Reedijk on spine-tingling rendition of Sunshine on Leith
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.
The showpiece is six weeks away. Few clubs more than Hibs know how much can change in that time frame.
They have as many league games in that period, with the last - of course - being a dress rehearsal of the final as they welcome Derek McInnes' side to Easter Road.
While those in green and white admitted post-match it would be difficult not to think of their return to Hampden - when they will be aiming for the club's first silverware since beating the Ibrox side in the 2016 Scottish Cup final - they know they need to arrest their current league form.
With just two wins in 11 games, they have a trip to struggling Aberdeen - who lost in Saturday's semi-final - on Saturday before welcoming both Dundee clubs to the capital.
Trips to Motherwell and Kilmarnock respectively follow before that meeting with the Light Blues as they search for some much-needed points.
The hope is this performance and result will kick-start their quest to climb the table.
"It's huge," 33-year-old Newell added. "You kind of forget that there's a cup final after that, do you know what I mean?
"You feel like you want to say, that's it done because it felt massive. These games are always huge no matter where they are, but we have to kick on now.
"We have to use it and hopefully it gives all the boys confidence, because it should do. We were outstanding."
Do that, and repeat this result against Rangers on 13 December, and Reedijk and co will never be left wanting for music and beer in Leith ever again.
'Hibs thoroughly deserved it'
Scottish Football Podcast
01/11/26
Extracted and lightly reformatted for readability. · Source: pt