Jack Ross has hailed his “outstanding” Hibs side after they dumped Rangers out of the League Cup in Sunday’s semi-final at Hampden.
A first-half Martin Boyle hat-trick was enough to secure a 3-1 win for the Edinburgh side who will now face Celtic in the final when they return to Hampden next month.
The forward put Hibs 3-0 up after 38 minutes before Scott Arfield pulled one back for Rangers five minutes before the half-time break.
The goals dried up in the second-half as the Easter Road club held on to their two goal lead to secure a spot in the final.
Speaking after the game the manager, who also led Hibs to last season’s Scottish Cup final, said: “I am immensely proud, to deal with the circumstances we have had in the past month to produce that performance against a top team and top atmosphere was just outstanding.
“We have been questioned recently and we responded brilliantly.
“We enjoyed the game and level of performance, at half time we wanted the game to be over but I think the way we went about our performance made it enjoyable.
“Martin Boyle was incredible, he has maybe at times felt at this stadium on big occasions he hasn’t brought his best, but he is an outstanding player and we are lucky to have him.”
New Rangers manager Giovanni Van Bronckhorst was in the stands for the game as we watched his new side extend their long wait for a cup win that now stretches more than a decade.
Celtic defeated St Johnstone on Saturday to book their place in the final thanks to a late goal from James Forrest.
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