Scott Allan says promotion to top flight for Hibs is priority this season

Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan has mixed emotions on the prospect of winning the Scottish Cup this season, with promotion to the top flight his main priority.

The 23-year-old is relishing the chance to take on Falkirk in the semi-finals on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, as the Edinburgh side seek their first Scottish Cup success in over 100 years.

Allan, who moved to Easter Road from West Bromwich Albion last summer, helped Hibs beat Hearts 2-0 in last weekend's derby and believes the result has put his side in the right frame of mind ahead of Hampden.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "I’m really looking forward to it. It can’t come quick enough and a lot of the boys are feeling the same especially after Sunday.

The game doesn’t need any building up. It’s a semi-final of the Scottish Cup and it’s there for us to go and get to a cup final.

“It’s given us that boost we were looking for. A massive boost for the club and it would be great to get to a cup final.

“It’s a semi-final and anything can happen. I think if we turn up and apply ourselves the right way then we should get the win as long as we do our job.”

Hibernian have overcome a recent slump in form with successive victories over Dumbarton at Hearts, but Allan is wary of Falkirk’s threat after Saturday’s opponents came from 3-1 down to earn a point in Leith in January.

Allan said: “We should have seent that game out but we missed a few chances and that allowed Falkirk to get back into the game and it was very disappointing for us. I think the boys and the gaffer really want to put that right.

“I think we just need to prove a point to ourselves. The game doesn’t need any building up. It’s a semi-final of the Scottish Cup and it’s there for us to go and get to a cup final.”

Hibernian have not won the trophy for 113 years - losing 10 finals on the spin since defeating Celtic 1-0 at Parkhead in April 1902.

For me I would really like to get back up to the Premiership with Hibs. It’s a big club and I think that’s what the fans really want as well.

Ending that run would put an end to an annual statistic trotted out with every competition, and Allan believes the current side can compete with the winners of the Celtic v Inverness CT 24 hours later.

'Success'

But the former Dundee United youngster reckons the cup will be a bonus this season, with a return to the top flight taking precedent for Hibs.  

“I know it’s been a long time since we’ve had any success in the Scottish Cup. The Scottish Cup is a massive one for the fans and we want to put that right,” he said.

“It’s hard to avoid. Again it’s a good problem to have because we are in the semi-final and have the chance to get to the Scottish Cup final with either Celtic or Inverness if we manage to overcome Falkirk. It’s a great opportunity to put it right.

“For me I would really like to get back up to the Premiership with Hibs. It’s a big club and I think that’s what the fans really want as well although I’ve heard mixed emotions about the Scottish Cup with it being so long since the last win.”

Allan has overcome health problems to make the grade as a professional footballer, like former Celtic and Scotland skipper Danny McGrain and ex-Tottenham defender Gary Mabbut, he suffers from diabetes.

“I’ve had diabetes since I was three-years-old," said the Scotland U21 international. "Type one, insulin dependent, so I inject daily.

"On a match day it’s real fine-tuning, a lot of blood tests, making sure my blood is the correct score and I just need to take the insulin. I need to correct it if it’s too high or too low but it needs real management for me to play at a high intensity and as a professional footballer.

“There are not many type one diabetics in football in this day and age. For me as a young player I never thought it would hamper me but as I got older I realised if I didn’t look after it, it might cause an issue but for me it’s been fine.”

Watch Hibernian tackle Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Saturday 18 April on Sky Sports 2 HD from midday.