CHRISTIAN DOIDGE believes Hibernian were motivated by accusations that they fail to perform at Hampden when they defeated Rangers on Sunday. 

The capital outfit stunned the Scottish Premiership champions with a 3-1 victory to book their place in the Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic. 

Martin Boyle was the hero for Jack Ross’ side as he netted a spectacular first-half hattrick, before Scott Arfield grabbed a consolation for the Gers.  

It was an extra special day for Doidge, who marked his return from a lengthy spell out with an achilles tendon injury when he entered the action late on. 

And after being involved in defeats to St Johnstone in both cups last term, the Welshman felt he and his teammates proved to the doubters that they really can perform on the big stage.

He said: “Last year was obviously really frustrating. But we parked that and came to Hampden on Sunday trying our hardest to get a result. 

“We got it and I’m glad the fans were here to see it because the league campaign has been a bit frustrating at the moment. For them to be able to celebrate is a good feeling for us all.  

“When Boyley is in that kind of form there is not anyone in the league who can stop him. He is so quick, so agile and can finish. He’s got everything. I’m really happy for him.” 

He continued: “I just said to him that he had to go and get the ball signed. He was like: “Oh, I don’t wanna.” I told him you don’t score many hat-tricks at Hampden, especially against Rangers.  

“Fair play to him. I’m very proud. We’ve done well to get to Hampden on numerous occasions and we just haven’t got over the line.  

“This time we did. Obviously, there was extra motivation because we haven’t done very well there. But we believed we could get a result.  

“In the last few league games against Rangers, we’ve done really well. It was a matter of time before we got a result against them, and this was the day.” 

Hibs will now meet Celtic at the national stadium on Sunday December 19 in the final of the League Cup.  

Ange Postecoglou’s team cemented their spot in the end of year showpiece after defeating holders St Johnstone by a single James Forrest goal. 

Doidge has been impressed with Celtic so far this season, but he insists that Hibernian will have no fear going into the final contest. 

On the threat of Postecoglou’s team and his own hopes of starting he match, he explained: “Obviously Celtic are really good side and going really well this year. But everyone knows that anything can happen in a cup final.  

“We can look forward to it. We’ll enjoy this result and then get into preparations for the league on Wednesday.  

“As soon as I got injured, they told me a timeline I could probably get back for. This was definitely the carrot. I tried hard to get back for the last game but it was just a bit too soon.  

“With an Achilles, you’ve got to be really careful because of what you can do to it. It was really nice to get out there. A lot of hard work has gone into it. To get the win like that and be around the fans was amazing.  

“If it had gone to extra-time in Sunday, I could have been getting subbed on and subbed off! It’s been hard work. I’ve been running with two lads who are the fittest men in the world. 

“That’s been hard but also good because I have to try and keep up with them. I’m getting a lot of fitness now from being in training with the lads.  

“I’m only going to get match fit by playing games so hopefully I might get a few minutes on Wednesday.”