Our long-serving centre half was appointed captain at the start of this campaign after David Gray, now Caretaker Manager, stepped down to take up a coaching role with the club. Hanlon admits the prospect of leading Hibs out in a cup final is a privilege.
“It would be a massive honour to lead the team out. It was one of the first things I thought about when I was made permanent captain. To be successful, lead the team to a cup final and lift the trophy at the end of the match is my main focus.
“I’m really excited, focused and determined to come out with the right result on Sunday.”
Paul is a product of the academy system, making his Hibs debut back in January 2008. He has since gone on to make 488 appearances for the club and is 6th on the list of all time record appearances.
Current team-mate Lewis Stevenson, is 4th on that list with 522 appearances and is the only player in Hibs history to win both the Scottish Cup (2016 v Rangers) and League Cup (2007 v Kilmarnock), a feat which Paul hopes to emulate.
“It would be amazing. Lewy has had an amazing career, even taking the trophies aside he has had a great Hibs career. Having those two trophies as well really just tops it off.
“For me, to look back when my career is finished and to say that I have won both cups with Hibs would be incredible.”
In the lead up to the final, the mood in the camp is one of excitement after a confidence-boosting victory against Dundee on Tuesday.
“We are all feeling excited and confident after a good win against Dundee. Generally, it was a decent performance – it could have been a bit better but it was the win we needed and the clean sheet we needed confidence wise.
“We are all really motivated and looking forward to trying to bring the cup home.”
After beating Rangers 3-1 in the semi-final at Hampden, Hanlon hopes to replicate the those energy and performances levels when we take on Celtic on Sunday.
“We need to produce an all round performance. There is no doubt Celtic have got good players in their squad so we are going to have to defend well, work hard as a team and show our quality at the same time.
“We have got plenty of quality in the squad, it is going to take a complete performance but one we are fully confident of producing on the day.”
