Sproule in the Daily Rangers

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I'M IVAN A GOOD TIME NOW AFTER MYREDCARD HOWLER AT HAMPDEN
Sproule vows to repay Hibs for cup calamity INTERTOTO CUP... Hibernian v Odense BK By Anthony Haggerty

FLYING winger Ivan Sproule last night opened up his heart on how he owes Hibs big time after his Hampden red-card shame.

Frustration took such a grip on the Northern Ireland star during April's Scottish Cup semi-final drubbing, he stamped on Hearts midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas before raking his studs down the Lithuanian's back.

It was a shocking display of aggression but was also one that hurt Sproule.

He was left a tortured soul, wounded by the flashpoint he has labelled the lowest point in his career.

But now the man who exploded on to the scene by hitting a hat-trick at Ibrox is ready to consign his darkest day to history - and ensure the spotlight is fixed on him for all the right reasons this season.

Sproule said: "The sending-off against Hearts was the lowest point I had in my career because it was a cup game - a huge match - and we kind of had a grasp on it.

"I couldn't bring myself to watch it again after it happened. I let myself down that day and I let the fans down as well. But I am hoping to repay them this season, starting on Saturday.

"It's a big campaign for myself because of the Hampden incident and the fact there is maybe added pressure because of the players who have gone.

"I want to do well for myself and the Hibs fans.

"No one really took me aside after the sending-off but no one had to.

"Sometimes you have to sit down and look at yourself and I did sit down and have a long think about it.

"Hopefully I can learn from that and be a stronger person and a better player for it."

Of course, it's easy to sound remorseful. But today Sproule will get the chance to prove to the Hibs fans just how driven he really is.

Tony Mowbray's men face Odense at Easter Road in the second leg of their Intertoto clash and must overhaul the 1-0 deficit if they are to take to the stage on which Sproule already looks at ease.

It was against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in last season's UEFA Cup that first brought the 25-year-old to the attention of European football.

He enjoyed a superb tie, so much so the Ukranians where willing to fork out £1million to secure his services - despite the fact Hibs crashed out 5-1 on aggregate.

Sproule said: "Last year we did not know what to expect in the UEFA Cup.

"So we let ourselves down with the way we approached the game last year, although we did well in the home leg.

"If we do get into the UEFA Cup again we could get a big tie and that is where everyone wants to be. After all, you want to play the best teams. It's good for the club to push on and it's good for Scottish football to be competing in the UEFA Cup and putting in good displays.

It's not only for ourselves, it's actually for Scottish football as well."

But before they even think about the UEFA Cup they must first overhaul the Danes' first-leg lead.

Sproule said: "We saw last week Odense are a good side and they play a good brand of football.

"They are a bit similar to ourselves in that they like to get the ball down and pass it about.

"It's going to be a tough game on Saturday but hopefully with the home support and all the rest, we can do it.

"We got in behind them a couple of times out there. But we didn't want to be too cavalier in the first leg and I'm sure you will see a different Hibs side coming out this weekend.

"Hopefully we can push on a bit on Saturday and get in behind them more. In saying that, if you push too much they can hurt you. You have to respect the side that you are playing and we have seen enough to know they are not a bad team.

"We know ourselves this is our last chance and we are in no doubt the job we have to do.

"The fans will be a massive factor to us and, if we can get the crowd behind us early on, I can't see why we can't get the result and push ourselves on.

"Hibs are not just preparing for pre-season friendly, we are preparing for games that have a reward at the end and playing in the UEFA Cup again would be great."

Hibs' task, however, has been made even more difficult with the loss of influential midfielder Scott Brown who is banned for the Leith clash.

Sproule said: "Scott is going to be a loss but hopefully we can get through the tie and see Scott playing in the UEFA Cup again because he is the kind of player that deserves to be in these competitions."