Sunshine On Leith II

Rather than just taking my admittedly bias view point regarding the cup final win on Sunday, I thought I should let you read comments by 2 Scottish football pundits. Neither of these has any affiliation with Hibs, indeed they are often viewed as having leanings towards the old firm. However both sum up the feelings of the day rather well.

Archie MacPherson:

Such mass emotion, as displayed by the victors, was obviously highly contagious since it was packaged in such a civilised, melodious manner in distinct contrast to some of the triumphalist crudities normally associated with the terracings. Celtic certainly have their stirring ‘Never Walk Alone’ anthem. But that has been borrowed from Broadway via Merseyside who got their hands on it first. Rangers in their attempt to control the image, tried the Motown-Tin Pan Alley hybrid, ‘Simply The Best’ only to have it prostituted with a sectarian sting in the tail. But what Hibs have is the original home-grown product, that in a way reflects in musical terms what the club is itself. It speaks of optimism in an age when a club of their sort could be trodden over by those with greater financial muscle. It has echoes of fidelity which is what a club, under duress too often,has needed to survive. Perhaps David Taylor, off to UEFA, could package the Hampden scenes and make of it a demonstration DVD of how football ought to be celebrated throughout the continent. It is too much to hope that the most bigoted yobs would pay much attention

Chick Young:
The happy Hibees post-match rendition of The Proclaimers' "Sunshine on Leith" reminded us all that grandstand karaoke need not be about social history, religious bigotry, the Pope, or the Queen.
Neither am I a son of Leith - nor come to think of it have I seen the sun shining on its docks very often - or a Hibee, but the sound of the Easter Road support at Hampden in the wake of their CIS Cup triumph had the hairs on the back of my neck sticking up.
There were tears in the eyes of John Collins, and, frankly, I was nearly dewy-eyed myself.
What a spectacle - a wonderful reminder that in spite of everything this game can indeed still be beautiful. Of what it means to communities, to fathers proudly introducing sons and daughters to the sheer and utter power of it all. That football is, indeed, the most glorious of all sports.

For all those Hibs fans reading this, doesn't it make you proud? For any non Hibs fans, maybe it's time to convert.........