Not many better sporting resurrection stories have come out of Hollywood than Rocky. But I tell you what – there’s a real life one involving a man of the same name writing itself in a place near Holyrood. And this one packs an almighty punch.
The change I have seen in Rocky Bushiri at Hibs since the end of November has probably been the biggest turnaround I have ever seen in a footballer. Pardon the pun – or puns – but there’s been more than one time during his time in Leith where I thought the big man was down and out. He’s had the nine count on a good few occasions at Easter Road.
But he’s got up every time and hit back. And this time he’s not just lifted himself off the canvas – he looks to have dragged the team with him. Since his 96th minute equaliser against Aberdeen, Hibs have lost just one in nine games and that was against Celtic. He’s now done the same thing with a late equaliser in Sunday’s heroic fightback to draw 3-3 with Rangers.
Rocky’s scoring huge goals and even chipping in with classy assists for Martin Boyle. Obviously there’s still the odd wee brain fart at the other end that we saw against Rangers. But over the piece he has been excellent at both ends and a colossal source of inspiration to those around him.
I think back to the Dundee game before that Aberdeen draw where he had a nightmare. Hibs lost 4-1 and if you asked 95 per cent of fans that night they’d have said ‘get rid’. But that figure is getting cut drastically with every game.
When fans make their mind up on you then it’s very difficult to turn that round, especially now in the social media age. There’s no hiding place and I’ve noticed his brother defending him online a few times.
I certainly had my doubts but if he keeps playing the way he is then he’s going to become a real cult hero. Not just that but if he cuts out the mistakes he will become a big asset because he is still only 25.
The turnaround reminds me a bit of when we signed a defender called Colin Murdock from Preston in 2003. He was a Northern Ireland international but got slaughtered at the start. But then Colin stepped up to net the final penalty in the League Cup semi final shootout win over Rangers in 2004 and never looked back.
Every Hibee in Hampden held their breath when Colin made the long walk from the half way line because nobody had ever seen him hit a penalty! But he showed massive cajones that night and became a cult hero in the process. That’s exactly where Rocky is heading.
Obviously the team’s transformation isn’t just about one man though. Martin Boyle deserves huge credit for hitting back strongly too. I don’t know if I can take any credit but I said on these pages on the day of the Aberdeen game three weeks ago that the Aussie had dropped out of the team and it was maybe time for him to take on a new challenge.
Well he got back into the starting line-up at Pittodrie and it’s fair to say he found his mojo again that day. He’s been terrific. If you have Boyle on that form then there’s few who can handle him as Rangers found out again.
He is a massive threat, sharp, confident and back among the goals. Maybe that’s down to Hibs having their confidence back, having the fans onside and playing with a bit more freedom.
You have to give the manager massive credit for the turnaround. He has stared into the abyss and fought back. It’s been a great run of form and I know the players are delighted for him. I spoke to Joe Newell last week and he is happier for the manager more than anyone else. There’s a real desire to do well for David Gray.
Hibs could easily have beaten Rangers on Sunday after being 2-0 down and that says it all. And don’t tell me it wasn’t a penalty. Philippe Clement is trying to deflect from his team’s inadequacies with his moan about the award.
It was a penalty – plain and simple. Anywhere else on the park and it’s a foul. There’s two different replay angles – one that Rangers fans are posting from directly behind the incident where it looks like Campbell tackles Hagi – and another one side-on where you see the elbow going into the back of the Hibs man first. Hagi is caught wrong side and leans into him so it’s the right call.
More than anything what a great advert the game was for Scottish football. Hamza Igamane with a cracking hat trick for Rangers. Boyle back to his best for Hibs. It could have gone either way at the end.
Hibs recovered brilliantly from a poor start. Gray made a tweak and the character of his side shone through. After Celtic, Hibs are the form team in the top tier and with Kieran Bowie due back in the next week or two it’s really exciting again.
Bring in another goalkeeper, centre half and maybe striker this month and the second half of the season could be really positive.