Friday 17 April 2015 14:53, UK
Falkirk’s Craig Sibbald has warned Hibernian his side are ready to gain revenge for their Scottish Cup semi-final defeat two years ago.
The two sides meet at Hampden Park this Saturday at the same stage of the competition, live on Sky Sports, but the occasion is one that carries bad memories for the midfielder.
Sibbald scored the opener for the Bairns as they raced into a 3-0 lead, but went onto lose 4-3 to the Edinburgh club after extra-time.
Hibernian’s Leigh Griffiths scored their second and netted the winner in added time after goals from Alex Harris and Eoin Doyle helped bring the Easter Road club level in 90 minutes.
Sibbald opened the scoring after just six minutes in the 2013 tie, but he told Sky Sports News HQ that’s where his fond memories of Hampden end:
“It was horrible. It wasn’t a good feeling being 3-0 up and then losing it. We just heard the Hibs fans going mental and it wasn’t nice at all.
Despite Falkirk’s capitulation in the second half, Sibbald wants to use that heartache to his advantage when the sides meet again this Saturday.
“I kind of want to forget about that game but it gives us a bit of experience to try and put it right this time.
“If we do go ahead we know what to do and see the game out to get the win. That’s going to try and drive me on and hopefully it will be good feelings this time.”
'Favourites'
Despite being unbeaten in all three Championship games against Hibs this season, the 19-year-old doesn’t believe they go into the semi-final as favourites.
“Luckily we have won two of the games, they’ve been quite close and we drew the other one 3-3,” Sibbald added.
“It gives us an idea of how to play players you’re going to be up against and hopefully that puts us in good stead on Saturday.
“They’ll be looking to try and get their first win against us so they’ll be coming right out the traps to try and beat us.
“We’ll be expecting it. We’re working towards it all week. Hopefully we’ve got a game plan and we can execute it and get the win.”
Watch Sibbald’s Falkirk try to get their revenge against Hibernian this Saturday Live on Sky Sports at 12pm.
