Humble Hibernian, Breathtaking Barça – part 7

Humble Hibernian, Breathtaking Barça – part 7

Okay, this is the end of the story, but it isn’t really about Barça. This is the fantastic final part that every Hibee dreams about. (Even though you all know what happened in the Cup Final this year.)

You know how Barça have a derby game with Espanyol? It’s important, but it’s not the most important game of the year. ‘Los clásicos’ are the most important games. (And Champions League finals, and winning La Liga and…) For Hibs, the best games are always against Celtic and Rangers. Normally we lose, but sometimes we play really well, like we can, and we win.

In the history of ‘the classic’ matches, certain games stay in the memory. For example, when Barça scored five goals and everyone waved their hands in the air.

But, the most important game for Hibernian is always against our city rivals – Heart of Midlothian FC, Hearts. They play in maroon-coloured strips. It’s the most depressing colour in the world. I hate it! (Even more after the Final.)

Normally Hearts win when we play.

There is (or was) a tradition in Scotland that on New Year’s Day, the 1st of January, the biggest football teams play their derbies.

1st January 1973, Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian at Tynecastle, the stadium of Hearts. Half-time, Hibs were winning 0-5! We scored two more goals in the second half, 0-7!

The biggest ever win between the two clubs. People said that we could have scored 10 goals! We played so well. Although it was a long time ago people still remember it. My dad remembers it. I was a wee boy, and have no memory of it.

On YouTube, you can see all 7 Hibs goals that day. Check it out

The Edinburgh writer and Hibee, Irving Welsh, famous for the book and film of ‘Trainspotting’, often mentions Hibs and these type of memories in his stories.

A day I remember was the 22nd October 2000. One day after my birthday, one year living in Barcelona. I think it was a Sunday. We went down to the Irish pub near my house and on the TV we saw Hibs beat Hearts 6-2! The fans were singing, chanting for seven goals again. It was the best thing ever!

Mixu Paatelainen, a Finnish international player, scored a hat-trick for Hibs. Check out his sumersaults after the goals! He was a new idol. Later he became the Hibs manager for a year.

On this video link you can see the 6 Hibs goals, but not the Hearts’ 2, I don’t know why not

And so, part 7 is an excuse for the 7 goals against Hearts. And an excuse to tell you about The Best Team in the World! My team. Hibernian FC. Hibs. Hibees.

Maybe one day Hibs will play and beat Barça again, or Real Madrid, we don’t care! Maybe not… Football can be about magic and dreams… Let me dream!