Saints scare has toughened us up

TOMMY CRAIG today claimed the massive fright First Division St Johnstone gave Hibs in the CIS Insurance Cup semi-final will steel the Easter Road stars for what lies in wait at Hampden.

After scoring through teenage striker Steven Fletcher just three minutes into the semi-final at Tynecastle, Hibs went close to making it two just moments later as Scott Brown hit the bar. But, instead of cruising into Sunday's showdown with Kilmarnock, Hibs were made to sweat as the McDiarmid Park outfit equalised through Jason Scotland before threatening to cause a major shock.

Craig admitted he even felt the tie had swung in Saints favour at that moment, however extra-time goals from David Murphy and Abdessalam Benjelloun, eased the nerves, leaving Hibs hoping to pick up their first piece of silverware since Murdo MacLeod lifted the Skol Cup aloft 16 years ago.

Now Craig, boss John Collins' right-hand man, believes the memory of how their dream almost died will drive their players on against Killie.

He said: "We knew it was going to be hard because Owen Coyle has done a terrific job at St Johnstone and we got involved in a terrific game at Tynecastle.

"When we scored early on I thought we might go on and make it easier than it turned out. At 1-1 I felt, because of the flow of play, St Johnstone became favourites at that stage.

"But we conjured up a terrific goal from David and then Scott made a great run and pass for Benji to make it three.

"It was a hard-fought game but I think it was a good test for us as far as the final is concerned because there was a tension that night about the game similar to what there will be in the final itself."

Craig refuted any suggestion that it had been a case of "putting the tools away" having scored so early and gone so close to doubling Hibs advantage as they almost let the semi-final slip.

He said: "I believe the opposite, to be honest. I think St Johnstone, having seen us have the opportunity to make it two and not take it, got a lift and thought they could have a real go at us.

"They had a numerical overload in the middle of the park which certainly helped and when they got their goal I wasn't overly surprised because they had put a lot in to the game."

Craig, however, believes Hibs, renowned for their fast-flowing, attacking football, showed another side to their game in overcoming Saints' valiant effort.

He said: "I thought we showed great spirit and character.

"We could have buckled when it went 1-1 and they were on top but we didn't.

"As much as John and I like to play football it is good to know there are times when we can dig out results and, although we want to show we are a good footballing side, we must have that ability in our locker when things are not going so well."

Craig admitted that the partnership he enjoys with Collins, a raw teenager with Hibs at a time when he was assistant to John Blackley at Easter Road, has enjoyed something of a fairytale start, the pair steering the club into one final with strong prospects of being back at Hampden for the final of the Tennent's Scottish Cup at the end of May.

He said: "John and I came into a club which was blessed with good young players. Tony Mowbray and the people before him had done a great job and we were really lucky in that respect.

"We've tried to keep it ticking over and to try to improve on what previous managers have done and we'd like to think we have done that in some small way.

"We also realise how lucky we have been.

"Some managers and coaches strive throughout their careers to reach Cup finals and never do it but here we are, only four or five months in and we are at Hampden, the boys have done superbly."

Hibs overcame a major obstacle on their route to Hampden only two games into Collins and Craig's reign, a quarter-final tie with arch-rivals Hearts which was settled by the only goal of the game from Easter Road skipper Rob Jones.

Craig said: "It was a huge game for us, we understood the importance of winning that one. It was a terrific match for us, everything we had hoped to put into practice paid off for us. We were very much the better team on the night and although it was only 1-0 it could have been three or four. And then we were at Tynecastle for the semi - but football throws up these strange quirks."

Craig, like Collins, has suffered his fair share of League Cup pain over the years although he was at Roy Aitken's side as Aberdeen beat Dundee to win the trophy in season 1995/96 and while he is quietly confident of enjoying that winning feeling again, he knows just tough Sunday will be.

Ironically, Kilmarnock provided Collins and Craig with their first opposition, the match at Easter Road ending in a 2-2 draw although Hibs went down to Rugby Park a couple of months ago and won 2-0.

Craig said: "We know we will be going into the match as slight favourites but, once the match starts, there are no favourites. Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown have done a terrific job at Kilmarnock and both sides will feel that over 90 minutes they have a great chance of winning.

"It's got to be won on the day, whether it is in normal time, extra-time or after penalties which produces an exciting atmosphere. We know Jim's teams are always hard to beat and are always up for a game and with this being a Cup final that will be reinforced.

"But having played Kilmarnock a couple of times we feel we can get the upper hand - but it is going to have to be earned. No-one is going to put that Cup into your hands, you have to grab if off the shelf."

Having forged an unshakeable friendship with Collins more than 20 years ago when he was coach to the present-day manager, Craig knows just how much it would mean to the Hibs boss to bring a trophy back to Easter Road.

Collins has described their partnership as the "perfect team" and Craig, senior in years and experience, is entirely happy with the role each of them plays at the club.

He said: "It's a two-way effort from us. When it comes to making the final decisions John, as manager, will always make it. But I am always party to them, when crucial decisions have to be made there is a consultation and then John decides, that's the way it has been since day one.

"He gives me a lot of free rein on the training ground, I have always been a coach and enjoyed doing that and John recognises it.

"But he is learning the ropes and is doing well. To me John has been a breath of fresh air. I know people think we have rose-tinted glasses because John talks about how he wants to play, he has a certain philosophy from which he won't deviate.

"He will strive to make sure Easter Road fans have a team they like to watch playing but one which also wins.

"There is a great empathy between John and the fans. The reception he got on that first day was fantastic, but it was also very much one I expected. The fans are very much in love with that man and he would love nothing more than to bring silverware to this club."