It's five years ago to the day Jackson Irvine was part of the Ross County side which stunned Hibs at Hampden to lift the League Cup – the Staggies’ first and so far only major trophy success.
The journey was like something scripted by a Hollywood director as County dumped Highland rivals Inverness and pulled off a semi-final giant killing against Celtic before lifting the trophy thanks to a last-minute Alex Schalk winner against the Hibees.
Irvine’s career has been quite a story as well.
Leaving his native Australia for Celtic as a teenager before heading for Dingwall five years later, he has never looked back. And the Aussie admits County played a massive role in propelling him into the Socceroos set-up and starring at the World Cup two years after his Hampden heroics.
But for all the sentiment and goodwill in Irvine’s body, the midfielder is determined to deliver a heavy blow to the Staggies when he returns to Victoria Park this time as a Hibs player on Saturday.
The Easter Road club are hungry for three points to bolster their bid for a third place finish while County are every bit as desperate in their Premiership relegation scrap.
Irvine joined Hibs after a spell south of the border with Burton and Hull.
Reflecting on his day in the Hampden sun five years ago, he said: “Domestically that is the highlight of my career.
“The actual highlight is playing at the World Cup but in terms of club achievements, winning a trophy, and the manner in which we did it, is the best.
“Even the path to the final itself – from coming through a derby, then beating Celtic and scoring in the last minute of a final – the whole way it came together you would do better than to have a better moment than that in your career.
“To be part of a club winning their first major trophy was very special and it is a lifelong memory.
“I’m so thankful for the experiences the club gave me.
“I had to be playing regularly at that age. Knowing I could go in and be a part of something and build success.
“It was the thing that pushed me into the national team. I got one call up to the full side and then I got my move to Burton that summer.
“Since the end of that summer window in 2016, I have been very fortunate to have been in every squad.
“So it was the thing that propelled me into having the career I have had.
“Of course I would like County to stay up but let them save their results for the split! We’ll take the win on Saturday.”
Irvine may credit the Staggies for getting him into the Australia team but he reckons he has the best chance of staying there with Hibs as he targets a second World Cup next year.
The playmaker, who has won 34 caps, will see his short-term deal at Easter Road expire in the summer. But he is keen to stick around and enjoy European football in Leith.
He said: “Absolutely. At the moment, with Martin Boyle here as well, we know the national team keeps a close eye on us, and with Tom Rogic at Celtic.
“There has always been success with Australian players in the Scottish league. Listen, the contract is a conversation to have in a bit.
“Hibs were probably unsure of the player they were getting with me, having been out for 10 months, and we have a good feel for how it’s going now.
“We can start to evaluate where the situation is at and we’ll see what happens.
“For any player to be part of a European campaign, it’s something I have never had a chance to do so of course it’s attractive.
“In terms of the immediate future that comes down to pushing ourselves into third position.”
