Hibs midfielder John McGinn thanks brother Stephen for goal that helped seal Premiership return

JOHN MCGINN paid tribute to brother Stephen after Hibs finally clinched the Championship title and promotion back to the Premiership.

A goal from the St Mirren midfielder ensured Falkirk dropped points and could not prolong Hibs’ agony any more, sparking wild celebrations at Easter Road three years on from relegation.

Darren McGregor’s first-half double and a third from skipper David Gray two minutes after the break got Hibs over the line at last, and McGinn was thrilled to have got a little bit of help from his sibling.

“When I was on the pitch I just heard the cheer but I didn’t know that it was Stephen who scored,” he explained.

“Then Liam Fontaine let me know when I got in the dressing room.

“I’m obviously delighted he got the goal. He’s been looking for us to help him out on numerous occasions this week and we haven’t, so I think we owe him one in the next few games!

“The Scottish Cup win is hard to top but I think this is more important for the club.

“The Championship is a really, really tough league and we’ve struggled the past couple of seasons to get out of it, so we’re delighted to be back in the Premiership – and hopefully we never see this league again.”

This was not just about what Hibs did, but they were clearly determined from the first whistle to get the win they needed to do their part.

Requiring Falkirk to slip-up at home to St Mirren, ears were glued to radios and eyes peeled to social media in the stands, but the focus never wavered on the pitch.

There were only 13 minutes on the clock when they made the breakthrough and from then on this was never going to be a day of disappointments.

John McGinn fired in a free-kick on a flat trajectory and McGregor rose highest to loop his header over Lee Robinson and into the far corner of the net.

Seconds later, Jason Cummings was clear but was left incensed by referee Barry Cook’s whistle for a foul on Andrew Shinnie when advantage should have been played.

The home side almost paid a heavy price at the other end but for a stunning stop from Ofir Marciano as he repelled a Stephen Dobbie shot from close range.

However, seven minutes from the interval Neil Lennon’s outfit netted the second they craved to provide the extra cushion they wanted to enjoy their afternoon.

Martin Boyle’s fizzing drive had been touched round the post by Robinson for a corner and Cummings’ set-piece was bundled over the line by McGregor for a dream double. A third, when Gray nodded in another Cummings corner put some icing on the cake and Hibs never looked like losing the one hand they had on the Championship trophy.

“It feels brilliant, absolutely brilliant,” beamed manager Neil Lennon. “I’m really proud of the players and the club because you could feel the burden of being in the league for the third season. There was a weight but now it is lifted.

“I am very proud of this accomplishment, personally. It means a lot to me and I’m really proud of the way the players have handled themselves over the season.

“The celebrations are for the players. They are the ones out there doing all the hard work.”