If anyone can knock Celtic out of the Scottish Cup, Hibs can.
The cup holders will be favourites to get past the Hibees in their home clash on Sunday. But David Gray’s side are currently on a remarkable 15-game unbeaten run and so, out of the teams left in the competition, would be the ones you’d fancy most.
They are on a high off the back of a 2-1 derby win over Hearts which saw them move up to third spot in the Premiership and in the driving seat to be there come the end of the season.
Gray branded matchwinner Jack Iredale a ‘real man’ and explained why the victory was so emotional for those of a Hibs persuasion.
The Hibees also have a recent win over Celtic to fall back on as proof they can do it, although that came at their own home with this one at Parkhead.
If they are looking for further inspiration, they can take it from the side that beat the same opposition of the quarter-finals of the League Cup in 2003.
Where are the Hibs team that beat Celtic in the League Cup in 2003?
GK – Daniel Andersson – The Swedish goalkeeper spent just the one season at Hibs. He would go on to save three penalties against Rangers in the semi-final after this win over Celtic. Counts Helsinborgs among his former clubs and came out of retirement to play for them again at the age of 45 in 2018. Has also been a goalkeeping coach there.
DF – Jonathan Baillie – A rare outing for the young defender who made just five top team appearances for the Hibees. Moved on to Ayr United and was last seen playing for former junior side Troon.
DF – Steven Whittaker – One of Hibs’ golden generation of young players and went on to have a top career with Rangers, Norwich and Scotland. Whittaker is now assistant to then teammate Scott Brown at Ayr United after a spell at Fleetwood Town.
DF – Gary Smith – An experienced defender at the time after spells with Aberdeen and Stade Rennais. Stayed with Hibs until 2006, when he moved to Cowdenbeath and then Dundee. Retrained as a firefighter after finishing up with football.
DF – Mathias Doumbé – Signed as a youngster from Paris SG and had three years at Easter Road. Went on to play for Plymouth, MK Dons and Northampton. Now working as a sports marketer back in France.
MF – Grant Brebner – First joined Hibs on loan from Manchester United and ended up back permanently via a spell at Reading. Would go on to star for Dundee United and then out in Australia for Melbourne Victory and Moreland Zebras. Was most recently in management with Victory, sacked in 2021.
MF – Scott Brown – Needs no introduction. A key man in this side and went on to dominate Scottish football with Celtic and captain his country. Now Ayr United manager with Whittaker by his sie.
MF – Kevin Thomson – A rival of best pal Brown’s after moving to Rangers, Thomson reached a UEFA Cup final before going down south with Middlesbrough. Won the League Two title as Kelty Hearts boss and now back coaching in the Rangers academy.
FW – Tam McManus – Played for a host of clubs after leaving Hibs, including Falkirk and Dundee, before finishing up at Gartcairn Juniors. Now heavily involved in Scottish football media as a pundit for PLZ Soccer and columnist for the Daily Record.
FW – Derek Riordan – Didn’t live up to his potential after a move to Celtic before ending up back at Hibs and then in China. Also turned out for St Johnstone, Bristol Rovers and Edinburgh City, among others. Briefly had a bar near the Hibs stadium named R10rdan’s Sports Bar.
FW – Garry O’Connor – Won a lucrative move to Lokomotiv Moscow and then Birmingham City, but was plagued by off-field troubles. Now runs his own academy in Edinburgh.
What happened as Hibs beat Celtic?
Hibs managed to upset the odds and win the game 2-1, without any need for extra-time. Even better, they came from behind to do it.
Stanislav Varga gave Celtic the lead on 56 minutes but the Hibees’ young team responded magnificently, Brebner drawing them level six minutes later.
Kevin Thomson then grabbed a later winner and they managed to hold on for a famous win.
Hibs then beat Rangers on penalties in the semi-final before disappointingly losing to Livingston in the final.