Crushing blow for the Hibees

The green and white side from Edinburgh got the same result as their Glaswegian counterparts the night before but if Celtic fail to overhaul their deficit, they will enter the Europa League qualifiers.

If Hibs are unable to pull off a miracle at Easter Road, they will be turfed out on their ear and European football in Edinburgh will be over before the first week in August. It is scant reward for finishing fourth in table and makes the celebrations on the last day of the season seem wasted.

Finishing as high in the league as possible is its own reward, both financially and on a footballing level. Hearts fans will no doubt be having a chuckle to themselves at the moment but lets not forget that they never had the opportunity to play in Europe this season. Hibs are still the top dogs in the capital.

One of the tweets we noticed after the game was someone throwing John Hughes words back in his own face. Hughes, in the build up to the tie, hinted that he felt his side’s style of play would be suited to European football.

The worrying thing is, we agreed with him.

The key to surviving and progressing in Europe is to be organised and to retain possession. Under Hughes last season, Hibs were quite tidy with a passing game and looked capable of holding onto the ball. We never saw the game against Maribor but trawling the Hibs message board suggests that Hibs struggled to string passes together.

Part of the reason for this may have been the change in tactics used by Yogi.

Colin Nish up front by himself in a 4-5-1 was not how Hibs rode high last season and this may have played a part in unsettling Hibs. Footballers can be creatures of comfort and no matter how many times Hughes went over the European tactics in training, taking it into the European arena has proved to be a step too far.

A lot depends on the luck of the draw in Europe and it is unfair to compare the Hibs score-line with that of Motherwell’s.

The Fir Park side can consider themselves extremely unlucky to not have won in Norway but a lot of this comes from the fact that Motherwell are extremely well organised and drilled in their jobs.

The Hibs faithful will still be hoping that an early goal at Easter Road next week can see a turnaround but should European football be considered the aim for SPL teams?

If fourth place never carried a Europa League qualifier spot, would fans feel any less about grabbing that spot?

Do you feel Europe can be a distraction when focus should be placed on getting a good start in the SPL?

Related posts:

1. Hibs go Dutch to make a mark on Europe Edwin de Graaf to bring experience to Yogi’s boys Hibs...
2. Hibs have to be fully prepared this time in Europe Planning work must start now for Hibees The dropping of...
3. Hibs face Videoton or Maribor in Europa League Sunshine on Leith in the qualifiers? Given that John Hughes...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

At the moment we are saying no…but who knows.

Right, it hasn’t broken on any of the major football gossip sites but it’s Monday night, the first day of the working week is over and we’re lazily browsing all the football sites..because its about the only thing our brain can do right!

So…the line is “reports suggest” that Blackpool are after Derek Riordan and could be available for £400,000.

Riordan has been in fine goal scoring form for Hibs in Holland on their pre-season tour and with a Europa League qualifier this Thursday night; Riordan is likely to have more than a transfer on his mind.

You get the impression that Riordan respects Hibs for bringing him back from Celtic and giving him the chance to play top team football every week again. You also think that he has done well under John Hughes, a boss who likes to get his attacking players involved in the game at all times.

Add that to the fact that the player became a dad last week and we can’t see him being for the off anytime soon.

No matter what he does in the game, Riordan is going to have the tag of a “daft laddie” hanging over him but he has built in more consistency to his game. Riordan may not be the sort of player who would get a guaranteed start for the national team but if he can maintain a good level of form, he can definitely be an asset to the squad.

All of they reasons would make us think that Riordan will be staying where he is. Then again, there is always another side to consider.

As for Blackpool, the challenge of playing in the English Premier League is a major draw. That and the Pleasure Beach!

Many pundits are predicting that the seaside club will come straight back down but they are likely to have a great season regardless of where they finish and they appear to be building for the future.

This means a player who moves now may be back in the Championship next season but they will then be playing for a club equipped for promotion and will have a years experience of playing English top flight football behind them.

A lot of high profile Scottish players have moved to England since January but have Middlesbrough got what it takes to get out of the Championship? We’re not convinced they will. This means Riordan could be a step ahead of former team-mates Kevin Thomson, Scott McDonald and Stephen McManus.

You also have to consider the fact that Charlie Adam is the big man at Blackpool, the former Rangers man being an absolutely indispensible part of Ian Holloway’s squad. This may have convinced Hollway to return to Scotland for more talent and Riordan could well be thinking if Charlie Adams can be a star there….what is there to stop him?

We’re not sure of what level of wages Blackpool are offering, last season it appeared to be a reasonably low basic wage but bonuses for promotion rocketed the end of season take home pay to great heights. Being in the top flight will likely see a bit more money for the players, and more than Hibs would offer….but is it enough for Derek Riordan to uproot himself and his family?

Okay, we’ve argued both sides and there are reasons for both decisions being taken…..if it ever comes to the situation where Blackpool bid for a player.

As we said, it was listed as “reports suggest” but if the reports we produce at work are anything to go by, you shouldn’t believe everything you read in them!

If a bid comes in, should Deeks go?

Related posts:

1. Hibs start early, Riordan strikes late Easter Road upheaval doesn’t prevent win The loss of the...
2. Riordan wants his goal. No, that’s not rhyming slang. Hibernian striker Derek Riordan has...
3. Hibs rout Hamilton at Easter Road Revenge for New Douglas Park defeat var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(18327164)a(1741564)'...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Sunshine on Leith in the qualifiers?

Given that John Hughes was responsible for guiding Falkirk into Europe but left before the club made their debut in the Europa League qualifying campaign, it is perhaps right that Hughes now gets a crack at it with Hibs.

The Easter Road side had a tremendous first half of the campaign but fell away really badly. In the end though, they with-held the challenge from Motherwell and grabbed a spot in the Europa League qualifying rounds. Motherwell gained entry thanks to Dundee United winning the Scottish Cup and won their first tie 1-0 at Fir Park last night.

Hibs have already strengthened their squad this summer and have brought European experience to Easter Road with Edwin de Graaf. His knowledge and composure may be vital as Hibs look to progress to the final knock-out round of the Europa League qualifiers.

The draw sees them pitched alongside Videoton or Maribor, with Hibs away in the first leg.

The ties are scheduled to be played on:

Thursday 29th of July and
Thursday 5th of August

The second leg tie of this round is still over a full week ahead of the start of the SPL campaign so Hibs will be in action before the majority of the league.

Can Yogi get the Leith boys into the next round?

Related posts:

1. Dundee United win makes Hibs life a bit easier for Europa League qualification Third qualifying round draw on July 16th Dundee United fans...
2. Motherwell grab a Europa League place United win good for the Lanarkshire boys The goals from...
3. Celtic face uphill challenge in Champions League qualifier Club just misses out on the seedings for the third...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

BBC tipping him for Rugby Park post.

Escaping relegation by virtue of a lifted shot by Falkirk’s Ryan Flynn, Kilmarnock know that they need to up their game to avoid another relegation dogfight this season. Temporary boss Jimmy Calderwood decided that the budget was not enough for him to return to managing the side this season which has seen Kilmarnock continue their search for a new boss.

Many felt that when St Mirren parted company with Gus McPherson, an ex-Killie player who was popular at Rugby Park, he would step into the position. This is not something the BBC agree with, with their website indicating that former Cowdenbeath and Hibs manager, not to mention Frank Black lookalike, Mixu Paatelainen is in line to be appointed tomorrow.

Read the BBC story here:

We’re not sure if the budget is to Mixu’s liking, maybe the promise of a wheelbarrow of Killie Pies has increased his hunger for the post!

Right, thats the puns over and done with, if Mixu does take the job, it is going to be a hard season ahead.

There isn’t much money at Rugby Park and with Kevin Kyle away, there is a need for a new frontman to come in and lead the line for the Ayrshire club. Mixu only lasted a season and a half in charge at Easter Road, a short time when you consider how much of a hero he was to the fans down Leith way.

A hat-trick against your city rivals is likely to guarantee anyone a star status but Paatelainen resigned in May 2009, feeling he couldn’t go any further with Hibs. John Hughes came in and brought about a whirlwind start to the club.

They may have faltered in the second half of the season but in claiming a European spot, Hibs showed clear improvement under Hughes compared to the reign under their Finnish hero.

It maybe indicates our diminished memory but we are struggling to think of that many bright spots for Hibs under Mixu…but maybe at Rugby Park, where a more pragmatic approach and lower expectations from the home crowd will give Paatelainen more time to mould a team.

Killie did themselves a massive favour by staying up last season but it’s not as if that final day draw, solved their money worries, there are definitely harsh days ahead for Killie this season but maybe some bright spots as well.

Of course, Mixu Paatelainen has impressed many people in a long football career in Britain but we were most impressed by his spell at Coroner’s Office in Bolton.

Can he help resurrect Killie from their near-death situation?

Related posts:

1. Falkirk and Kilmarnock face the week from hell Both clubs fail to hold a winning position Around 15:40...
2. Kilmarnock have edge over Falkirk so far this season Four matches, two wins for the Ayrshire team The race...
3. Should Kilmarnock Russian-Roulette Kyle go? Then again, do the Russians want him? Last season, Kilmarnock...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Edwin de Graaf to bring experience to Yogi’s boys

Hibs have announced the signing of Dutch midfielder Edwin de Graaf on a two year contract, tying him to the Easter Road club until June 2012.

The player moves to Leith after spending the past four years at NAC Breda, where he was captain of the club.

John Hughes raved about the box to box qualities of the midfielder and there is no doubt that this type of player is highly coveted in any team or league. Whether a 30 year old more suited to the more sedate pace of the Dutch Eredivise can bring the same qualities to the SPL remains to be seen.

This is in no way a criticism of the player and all kudos to himself and Hibs for making this move happen but it has to be said that the two leagues have a large difference in style. If de Graaf can settle in quickly and bring his qualities to Hibs, the Easter Road faithful are in for a treat.

His Uefa Cup experience will also be crucial to a Hibs side that are hoping to battle through the Europa League qualifying rounds to seal a place in the tournament proper. Spirit and creative guile were the watchwords for Hibs at their peak last season but there is no doubt a little bit of steel and use of the “black arts” of European football could take Hibs further than they managed this season.

Sealing a European place was the least that Hibs deserved for their efforts in the first half of the SPL campaign so hopefully Hibs can recapture that early season form and make their mark on the Europa League.

Related posts:

1. Hibs have to be fully prepared this time in Europe Planning work must start now for Hibees The dropping of...
2. Hibs on the march again at Pittodrie John Hughes has to be the Scottish manager of 2009...
3. Hibs make a stand for the fans…and against the SFA East Terrace says goodbye and Liam Miller will be there...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

20 years on and the Leith club is doing grand

First of all, let’s be honest, we hate The Proclaimers. We find their music highly grating and liked by people who don’t really like music. Sorry boys but the list of artists we’d rather listen to yourselves would lap around the world a few times…in fact, you’ll find Hibs winning the Scottish Cup again before you find us choosing to listen to their music.

However, what we do admire about the Proclaimers is their passion for football and this was never more apparent than their involvement during the Hands Off Hibs campaign.

It sounds ludicrous now but the action of Hearts, led by club owner Wallace Mercer, to buy Hibs and merge the clubs together was very serious. Hibs fans were concerned that the merger talk actually amounted to a takeover bid from their bitter rivals.

Passion spilled over in Edinburgh and the first Edinburgh derby of the new season had a number of unsavoury moments but the level of passion shown was probably helpful in keeping Hibs alive.
Local businessman and owner of the Kwik-Fit company Tom Farmer bought a controlling interest in the club and things have improved since then. Okay, Hibs still haven’t picked up the Scottish Cup since then but two League Cup final successes and European qualification has ensured there has been sunshine on Leith since 1990.
Some folk say that a combined Edinburgh club could put up a strong challenge to the big two in the West but football doesn’t work like that. Hibs and Hearts fans would have very little reason to band together and support a completely new club. In doing so they would be throwing away over one hundred years of history and joy and tears.

Fans of both clubs still hold out hope that they can be champions of Scotland once again and the good fight put up by the Hibees twenty years ago has helped keep this dream alive.
Would you ever back a super club in Edinburgh?

Related posts:

1. Get your hands on the new Adidas Scotland kit It’s not all new World Cup strips this summer Remember...
2. Worth all the trouble for Bougherra Madjid won’t lose his passport in the Summer. It has...
3. Hibs make a stand for the fans…and against the SFA East Terrace says goodbye and Liam Miller will be there...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Third qualifying round draw on July 16th

Dundee United fans were undoubtedly delighted with their Hampden triumph but Hibs fans would have been cheering each Arab goal. This is because United winning the Cup sees Hibs enter the Europa League qualifying round at the third round stage.

Hibs were due to enter the 2nd round of the Europa League qualifying rounds but the Tangerine triumph sees them enter at the next round and their first European match is scheduled to take place on the 29th of July.

The draw for the Europa League takes place on Friday the 16th of July.

There are 30 teams directly entering the Europa League at this stage and some of other clubs joining Hibs include Liverpool, Getafe, Juventus, Sporting Lisbon and CSKA Moscow.

Hibs will no doubt be hoping to progress as far as possible so meeting one of these teams may not help that but a match against one of these teams would be tremendous for the Easter Road club.

The other teams in the Europa League third round come from the previous Europa League qualifying round, with 40 clubs dropping in from there. Scottish football will be hoping that Hibs are joined by Motherwell, who have been given a European place thanks to Dundee United’s Cup win.

This should give Hibs a longer pre-season break and a better chance of making the Europa League stages and John Hughes’ team deserve it thanks to their early season form.

Related posts:

1. Motherwell grab a Europa League place United win good for the Lanarkshire boys The goals from...
2. Dundee United have a mid August start date for European dream Play-off round draw on August 6th Winning the Scottish Cup...
3. Hibs have to be fully prepared this time in Europe Planning work must start now for Hibees The dropping of...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Planning work must start now for Hibees

The dropping of the Intertoto Cup was no bad thing for Scottish clubs as it seemed to bring more bad luck and woes than it brought joy. Scottish clubs are still not equipped for starting early in Europe, which brings along a cyclical effect.

Teams are starting earlier when they are not equipped for a game against teams who have been playing competitive football for a sustained period of time. This puts them at a disadvantage, making it likely they will lose, which harms the co-efficient. As the co-efficient drops, the clubs have to start earlier and the cycle keeps spinning.

So, its no longer the Intertoto Cup but the Europa League still has a nasty early start and Hibs are the Scottish club parachuting into the second qualifying round.

The draw for this round is set to take place on the 21st of June and the games will take place on the 15th and 22nd of July. You know the World Cup final takes place on the 11th of July?

Okay, no Hibs players are likely to be involved in that match but it indicates how early this round takes place.

Hibs are one of the 53 teams entering this round and will be joining the 27 teams that progress from the Europa League first qualifying round. It’s a huge tournament…but making it through to the group stages would be a great reward for the Leith club.

One thing that the Hibs fans can start preparing for, and their Jambo friends can’t, is the trip to Europe! A foreign trip in July usually means two things – remember your passport and get some new threads. Hibs fans may be happy to know we can help with the latter….and help them get it up their Jambo mates for the former!

Are you hoping to dig out your flip-flops and shades to see Hibs in Europe in July?

Related posts:

1. Gordon Smith keeps an eye on the ladies…game. Gordon Smith is pretty unlikable. In the words of Mark...
2. Motherwell leapfrog Hibs in European race Edinburgh win dismays all Edinburgh clubs Things have been a...
3. Can Irvine Meadow continue Hibs Cup hoodoo? A Junior challenge is the first hurdle for the Hibs...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Crazy night at Fir Park

12 goals in a match is a fairly rare occurrence but to have them shared equally between two sides is pretty much a once in a lifetime experience (if that) for football fans. This match wasn’t one of the meaningless encounters you get at the end of a season but no one could have predicted how it would turn out.

With 25 minutes to go, Hibs moved into a 6-2 lead and no one would surely have predicted anything other an away victory for the team from Leith. In the end, a missed penalty from Motherwell when the score was 6-5 to the away team has probably ensured the Easter Road side leave with a point and with some hope of grabbing fourth spot.

Our sympathies would go out to Colin Nish, scorer of a hat-trick within the opening 36 minutes but to be honest, he is not a player we’ve ever taken any enjoyment from watching so boo hoo Colin, boo hoo! Haha, sorry, we’re being harsh, the big striker must be absolutely shell-shocked at the end of that.

According to the BBC stats, Hibs had 8 efforts on target so to score with 6 of them is a phenomenal feat. To put it into some form of context, including the two they grabbed tonight, 6 is the total number of goals Kilmarnock have scored away from home all season. Hibs plundered 6 goals in 65 minutes.

John Hughes really must be wondering what he has to do to get a win and if he is able to get this Hibs side back on track.

There has been a worrying slide for the team from Leith, however, they could still clinch a European spot. They are unlikely to drop below fifth after city rivals Hearts could only get a point at home to Dundee United.

It all hinges on the last game of the season and the fixtures, ever so slightly, favour Hibs. The Leith club have a tricky trip to Tannadice but Motherwell are at Ibrox where Rangers are in the mood for a party. If Motherwell lose at ibrox, a point would be enough to put Hibs into fourth spot.

That would be cruel on Craig Browns team but would be just reward for Hibs early season performances. It would be hard to say what Hibs defenders deserve after their performance at Fir Park.

Have you seen a crazier game of football?

Related posts:

1. Craig Brown in charge at Motherwell Short stay for Brown and Knox var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(16573648)a(1741564)'...
2. Motherwell leapfrog Hibs in European race Edinburgh win dismays all Edinburgh clubs Things have been a...
3. Hibs to expect Burnley bid for John Hughes? Would Yogi be tempted? var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(js)g(16898306)a(1741564)' + new...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Life losing its lustre down Leith way

Every set of football fans have something they cling to, whether it is their main wind-up tactic or something which keeps them going through the darker moments. Hibs fans are no different and one of the things the boys from Leith like to crow about is that they were the first to wear the green.

This is obviously a dig at the more illustrious wearers of the green from Glasgow but Hibs fans do like to emphasise that no matter what has happened since, they did it FIRST.

Which fits in with the 2009/2010 season as Hibs were the first to down their tools this campaign.

The first half of the season was full of joy and hope for Hibs but since the end of January, things have gone downhill rapidly. A favourable Scottish Cup draw was not enough to get them beyond the Quarter Finals and a season which could have seen them grab second sees Hibs scrambling to finish above sixth place.

With two away games left at Motherwell and Dundee United, it would not be unreasonable to see Hibs stay on 50 points. Hearts, currently on 47 but with an inferior goal difference have genuine ambitions of overhauling their city rivals and leaving Hibs fans facing a depressing summer.

So what has been the cause of the downturn in Hibs fortunes?

Players like Riordan and Stokes are still getting on the score-sheet so it is not as if they cannot find the back of the net.

One issue may be that Hibs have reverted back to playing with calamitous goalkeepers. During the first half of the season, Stack was in fine and consistent form, helping turn draws into wins and defeats into draws. An injury has ruled the number one keeper out leaving the Hibs net being tended by Graeme Smith.

On his day, he can be a decent keeper but is very prone to making big errors and he would have to carry some of the can for Hibs dismal cup exit and yesterdays derby day defeat.

Aside from that, injuries have also derailed Hibs campaign, hindering John Hughes chances of selecting a settled side. There is also the suspicion that John Hughes is great when things are going well but doesn’t have the ability to turn around a sinking ship. In some ways, Hughes will be praying for the season to end to get time to sort out Hibs problems and have them primed for another assault next season.

Worryingly for Hibs fans is the way that John Hughes has started stating that he and the team need to take things on the chin. That phrase has become a source of laughter and embarrassment this season due to its overuse by ex-Celtic boss Tony Mowbray. If Yogi doesn’t work out how to arrest Hibs slide, he may find he meets the same fate as Mogga did.

The way Hibs started the season contrasts with their end to the season and that is the thing which makes the campaign feel such a disappointment at the moment. There is no doubt that Hibs have a good squad and are capable of much more, the test for next season is to see if they can sustain a good period for longer.

Hibs fans, will you stay above Hearts?

Related posts:

1. Hibs on the march again at Pittodrie John Hughes has to be the Scottish manager of 2009...
2. Yogi plans for Hibs to keep selling Hughes looks to move players on Football and finance don’t...
3. Hibs make a stand for the fans…and against the SFA East Terrace says goodbye and Liam Miller will be there...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.