Marink Reedijk warned Rangers that they’ll face an ever-improving Hibs team when they meet in the Premier Sports Cup Final next month.
The Dutchman created history by becoming the first manager of the Easter Road club to taste a Hampden victory over Hearts when they came from behind to win 2-1.
After recording just one draw in his four opening league games, Reedijk was starting to feel the heat ahead of the semi-final.
But having secured a date against Rangers on December 13, the Leith boss feels his side are now in a different place.
Asked what gave him the confidence that his side can now upset the odds and win the cup for the first time since 2007, Reedijk said: ‘The performance of today and the performance we showed the week before.
‘And if we have more progression, we can make every opponent’s lives a little bit difficult or very difficult.
Hibs boss Marink Reedijk celebrates his team’s 2-1 win over Hearts with Josh Mulligan
‘And no matter which team it is, it’s always another match to play.
‘Finals are, again, special matches, but also finals are not only based on these special moments.
‘It’s also about teams with a plan and teams with an idea.
‘And I think if we build on what we are doing now, keep on going – it will have ups and downs – I know I have a really good belief that we also can do something in the final.’
Behind when Claudio Braga struck on four minutes, Hibs responded brilliantly and deservedly went in ahead at the break thanks to goals from Martin Boyle and Jamie McGrath.
Reedijk was effusive in his praise for the way his players bounced back from the early blow to dominate the game.
‘In the first half, I really enjoyed how we played football, how we dominated the game on the ball, how we made sure that we created chances and gave Hearts a big problem in defence,’ he reflected.
‘And in the second half, I really enjoyed the togetherness, the work rate, the energy, the desire.
The Hibs players start the party after reaching League Cup final by beating Hearts
‘This is where we made a big step today. And also I’m so happy for the staff, the players, because they worked so hard for this. And that’s really important.
‘Not only those people, like the staff and the players, but also for the fans who kept on supporting us, not only during the match, but especially those matches where we didn’t have the result like it was today. And that’s really important to me.
‘That’s what togetherness means to me.”
Reedijk was asked if his first victory at the fifth attempt was the first real sign that the players had bought into what he was trying to do.
‘Not the first sign,’ he stressed. ‘For me, I already saw glimpses and signs in the last matches, starting at Falkirk, where you see that we dominated the game, but we didn’t bring the game home and lost by individual errors and moments.
‘And then against Celtic and St Mirren also you saw that we can dominate matches, that we can make our way of playing a challenge for the opponent. That didn’t lead to the result we wanted.
‘However, today it did. So, it is not the first sign, but it is the first performance with a result.’
Jamie McGrath soaks up the acclaim after putting Hibernian in front at Hampden
At full time, the entire Hibs squad lapped up the rendition of Sunshine on Leith which was sung by their supporters.
Reedijk admitted that he felt more emotional at the scenes than his impassive demeanour suggested.
‘I’m not always showing my emotions, but it’s really touching,’ he said.
‘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.’
