Rob Jones has spoken of his pride at leading Hibs to 2007 League Cup glory.
As the current crop prepare for a Premier Sports Cup semi-final clash against Rangers next weekend, former Hibees captain Jones has spoken of "a very special day" as they hammered Kilmarnock 5-1 in the final.
The 6ft 7in centre-half ranks the Easter Road side's Hampden day in the sun among his best days in football - a game in which he opened the scoring for John Collins' men before Abdessalam Benjelloun and Steven Fletcher got in on the act.
Reflecting on his time in Leith - Jones would play for Hibs from 2006-09 - he talks of his relationship with the fans and why he's never experienced anything like it in his career.
In an interview with the club website, the 42-year-old said: "When I led the team out of the tunnel at Hampden, the lump in my throat was something I’d never experienced. It was a proud moment.
"The goal itself, a set-piece. It was a great ball from David Murphy and I think it was Hoggy [Chris Hogg] in front of me, I just smashed him out the way to head it myself!
"The fans made an incredible amount of noise. It’s difficult to put into words, the relationship I had with the supporters during the time I was at Hibs. It was special.
"You only realise that after you’ve retired and you go back. I still get welcomed with open arms, I still get welcomed with the Spandau Ballet song.
"It’s a special club, full of special people and it’s probably the best family atmosphere I’ve experienced during my time in football, to be honest.
"That final was a dream come true: one, to play in a cup final, two, to play in a cup final as captain, and three, to score a goal in a cup final.
"So, it was a very special day personally but also for the club, it affected a lot more people than we even realised as players."
