Dundee United’s Tony Andreu played a key role in relegating Hibs to the Championship in 2014 – now he is determined to do all he can to keep them there.
The 28-year-old Frenchman was part of the Hamilton side that sent the Edinburgh outfit crashing out of the top tier of Scottish football in an incredible play-off.
Accies travelled to Easter Road for the second leg two goals in arrears but Jason Scotland pulled one back and then Andreu equalised deep into stoppage time.
The game then went to penalties with Andreu calmly converting one as Hamilton established a 4-3 lead meaning Jason Cummings had to convert his spot-kick to keep Hibs in the tie and the Premiership.
Instead, present Raith keeper Kevin Cuthbert saved, sparking amazing scenes of delight among the Hamilton faithful as they celebrated promotion and utter despair for everyone involved with Hibs as they faced up to the harsh reality of relegation.
Now, as Andreu’s present side United travel to Easter Road tonight for the crunch top-of-the-table clash, he is looking to inflict more pain.
The on-loan Norwich playmaker said: “I scored the goal to equalise in the 93rd minute against Hibs before it went to penalty kicks.
“And then I scored a penalty in the shoot-out as well.
“So Easter Road is a special place for me, I have really enjoyed playing there.
“That was one of the best days in my career, getting promotion and doing it the way it happened.
“We had a poor result in the first leg but didn’t play badly, so we knew if we scored early in the second game we would be back into it.
“All season the Hibs fans were turning their back on the team so we knew the first goal for us would make it game on.
“It’s important when you can get at a team psychologically at their place and we managed to silence them.
“In my head it wasn’t silent at that moment but the stadium was.”
Andreu, who scored the winner when United beat Hibs at the start of December, added: “But I think it’s different now because their fans are happy with their team and the way they are playing.
“They have new players now, they have a new way of playing so it’s not the same now.
“Do I expect a reaction from the Hibs fans? Not really because it wasn’t just me, it was a whole team effort that day.
“The last time we went there they didn’t bother about me.
“It is a big game this time but even if we win it’s not over, just like it wouldn’t be for them if we don’t get a result.
“We want to win, we want to play well and we want to prove we can beat them again.
“But there is still a long way to go.”
Andreu confessed he did not think Hibs would still be trying to win promotion but all he is concentrating on is trying to ensure United triumph at Easter Road and go back to the top of the table.
He said: “Am I surprised Hibs are still in the Championship? I am, but they have been unlucky because they have had Rangers and Hearts in there at the same time.
“It’s not an easy league to win and with the way the play-offs are structured it is difficult.
“It has been three years now so they are trying it again and now we are here.
“We won against Hibs the last time we played them and everyone said we were the new big thing because we were top of the league.
“But we have lost since and are sitting second, so that just shows how tight it is.
“It will be a lot like this over the next four months because there is a long way to go.
“If we can get another win over Hibs at their place it would be great.
“Being top of the league is what we want, but in this league you could win this one then lose the next five.
“It is a big game but it won’t decide anything.
“For the players it is a very good occasion, I think the atmosphere will be electric.
“It will be a big crowd, we are both top of the league and Hibs are the main team in the league we have to beat.
“It will be tough – whoever wins will be happy and have the momentum so from that point of view it is important.”
Andreu missed last Saturday’s defeat at Dumbarton because of a rib injury but he has now fully recovered for the Hibs match.
He added: “I will be fit for the game, I have trained and everything has gone well.
“This was a game I didn’t want to miss. I was the same about the Dumbarton one but I couldn’t play in that.
“It was a weird injury, I felt my rib after the St Mirren game and it just needed rest.
“I can’t actually remember how it happened, I just came off and it was sore.
“It then came back during training last week so it affected my breathing, but I’m fine now.”
