Could this be Hibs’ year? The question - which has tormented five generations of Easter Road supporters in regard to the Scottish Cup – was granted a new lease of possibility when their team negotiated a quarter-final replay which produced a typically tormenting finale for the fans. A first half double from Anthony Stokes proved sufficient to see Hibs into a last four meeting with Dundee United, whose manager, Mixu Paatelainen, was in attendance, but only after Iain Vigurs threw the issue into doubt with a late strike.

Hibs, though, will be without their goalkeeper, Mark Oxley, who was booked for a carnival of time wasting in the closing minutes when – according to his manager – he failed to convince the referee that he had lost a contact lens.

John Hughes resorted to a familiar tactic, the early pressing game designed to disrupt visitors before they can establish their own rhythm, a ploy which worked a treat when Aberdeen were beaten 3-1 at the same venue on February 15. In this instance, Hibs were pressed back on their own lines for most of the opening quarter hour, during which Richie Foran – playing his first game in almost a year and a half – was the target for crosses and lobs designed to test Darren McGregor and Liam Fontaine.