Hibernian FC

[DavidMc]

Celtic v Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 22nd December 07
Celtic Park, Glasgow

Final Score 1-1

Hibs began life without manager John Collins with a battling draw against out-of-sorts league leaders Celtic.

Hibs went in front when left-back David Murphy charged forward to exchange passes with Abdessalam Benjelloun and crashed in a shot via the crossbar.

Celtic poured forward in waves and finally hit back when Jiri Jarosik's tame volley crept in on 78 minutes.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink saw a header hit the post in the closing stages but Celtic could not find a winner.

Celtic are now just three points ahead of Rangers, with the second-placed side having three games in hand.

Hibs were in front for a long spell but will be pleased with a point and a gritty display, punctuated with some free-flowing counter-attacking moves.

Celtic's Scott Brown was first to threaten against his former side, charging through a weak challenge from Guillaume Beuzelin and lashing in a swerving shot which Yves Ma-Kalambay did well to push away.

The visitors were looking very jittery at the back but Celtic could not take advantage and Hibs took the lead with a wonderful breakaway goal.

Murphy stormed past a number of opponents before slipping the ball to Benjelloun, who returned a pass for the galloping full-back on the edge of the penalty box, and the defender thrashed a shot in off the underside of the crossbar.

Hibs immediately grew in confidence and Merouane Zemmama tried his luck with a long-range lob that had Mark Brown back-pedalling furiously to save.

Benjelloun and Zemmama then linked with purpose to stretch the home defence but Stephen McManus made a vital sliding challenge as the former shaped to shoot.

Celtic lost their way in attack for a while but ended the first half on top, with Aiden McGeady going close with a 20-yard free-kick.

A blunder from Hibs skipper Rob Jones gave Brown a sight at goal after the restart but the busy midfielder dragged his angled shot wide of the target.

Hibs responded with a looping header from Brian Kerr that Brown had to tip away and the keeper made a brave save at the feet of Benjelloun following the resultant corner.

However, the team from Edinburgh were making a habit of giving the ball away too cheaply and Vennegoor of Hesselink went close with a shot and a header in quick succession.

A spell of intense Celtic pressure saw Chris Hogg throwing himself to block a goalbound drive from McManus, before Ma-kalambay parried a well-placed McGeady shot.

Celtic continued to press and eventually levelled when Jarosik's side-foot volley flew through a ruck of players and beat the diving Ma-kalambay, who looked well placed to save.

Celtic's top-scorer Scott McDonald had a quiet game but did brilliantly to turn two markers on the penalty spot, only to see his shot shave the outside of the post.

Hibs were reduced to 10 men for the final 10 minutes when Benjelloun had to go off injured, with all the substitutes already on.

And there was one final scare for Hibs when Vennegoor of Hesselink hit the base of the post with a header.



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Celtic: Mark Brown, Caldwell, Pressley (Riordan 79), McManus, Naylor, Scott Brown, Donati (Jarosik 64), Hartley, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs Not Used: McGovern, Conroy, Killen, Sno, O'Dea.

Booked: McManus.

Goal: Jarosik 78.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, McCann, Hogg, Jones, Murphy (McCormack 72), Zemmama (Morais 66), Kerr, Beuzelin, Chisholm, Stevenson (O'Brien 66), Benjelloun. Subs Not Used: McNeil, Shiels, Donaldson, Noubissie.

Booked: Murphy.

Goal: Murphy 20.

Att: 58,016

[DavidMc]

Kilmarnock v Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Wednesday 26th December 07
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock will give a fitness test to Danny Invincibile after the Australian midfielder tweaked a hamstring in the goalless draw against St Mirren.
Frazer Wright has an outside chance of returning from a hamstring injury.

Hibernian left-back David Murphy is a major doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday's draw with Celtic.

Abdessalam Benjelloun is struggling to be fit after being stretchered off at Parkhead but defender Thierry Gathuessi is available following suspension.

Kilmarnock (from): Combe, Wright, Fowler, Taouil, Ford, Hay, Invincibile, O'Leary, Hamill, Gibson, Ryan Jarvis, Nish, Fernandez, Wales, Harpur, Johnston, Koudou, Bryson, Clancy.

Hibernian (from): Ma-Kalambay, McCann, Hogg, Jones, Murphy, Zemmama, Morais, Kerr, Beuzelin, Chisholm, Stevenson, O'Brien, Benjelloun, Donaldson, Antoine-Curier, McCormack, Shiels, Noubissie, Gathuessi, McNeil.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Hibs look to be going downhill, big time. After seeing the game today they just looked poor in most positions and their supposedly meant to be the next big force in Scotland after the Old Firm.

Have a look at the team they could have had if they kept there players:

---------------------------------------- Ma'Kalamby--------------------------------
Whittaker-------------- Jones --------------------- Caldwell -------------- Murphy
----------------------------------------- Benzelin--------------------------------------
---------------------------- Brown -------------------- Thomson
-- O' Connor ---------------------------------------------------------------- Riordan
-------------------------------------------- Killen -----------------------------------------

Now that side could easily have challenged the Old Firm but as things go in Scottish football that threat is brushed away by the power of Celtic and Rangers.

Hibs need to find a decent manager and keep hold of there young players to stand a chance at progressing in the league.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by Doc-Bhoy

Hibs look to be going downhill, big time. After seeing the game today they just looked poor in most positions and their supposedly meant to be the next big force in Scotland after the Old Firm.

Have a look at the team they could have had if they kept there players:

---------------------------------------- Ma'Kalamby--------------------------------
Whittaker-------------- Jones --------------------- Caldwell -------------- Murphy
----------------------------------------- Benzelin--------------------------------------
---------------------------- Brown -------------------- Thomson
-- O' Connor ---------------------------------------------------------------- Riordan
-------------------------------------------- Killen -----------------------------------------

Now that side could easily have challenged the Old Firm but as things go in Scottish football that threat is brushed away by the power of Celtic and Rangers.

Hibs need to find a decent manager and keep hold of there young players to stand a chance at progressing in the league.

Sorry to hear that. The SPL could really benefit from having some of the other clubs play at the level of Celtic and Rangers with some consistency. Hibs would be one of the most logical choices, but it seems they're as inconsistent as all the other clubs under the big two.

[DavidMc]

Hibernian 1-2 Rangers
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 29th December 07
Easter Road, Edinburgh

Rangers picked up a remarkably easy three points with a polished display at Easter Road.

With Hibs hopelessly out-of-sorts in every department, Steven Naismith fired the visitors in front with an early strike from close range.

Daniel Cousin added a second goal on 59 minutes, smashing in an impressive shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The home side created very little until Merouane Zemmama lashed in a great angled strike with two minutes left.

Rangers move top of the SPL but Celtic have the chance to reclaim the lead when they entertain Gretna.

Hibs, missing injured strikers Steven Fletcher and Abdessalam Benjelloun, beat Rangers at Ibrox earlier in the season but at no stage threatened to repeat the trick.

Chris Burke made a lively start to the match on the right flank and it was the Rangers winger's good work that led to the opening goal on 11 minutes.

He drifted past Ross Chisholm and cut into the penalty area before drilling a low cross through the legs of Rob Jones for Naismith to smash in from a few yards out at the back post.

The game raged from end to end at a rapid rate of knots but, with both sides deploying a lone striker, moves were breaking down in the final third of the pitch and the home side struggled to get a glimpse of goal.

Yves Ma-Kalambay fumbled a Kevin Thomson free-kick but Carlos Cuellar could not take advantage, shooting straight against the prone Hibs goalkeeper.

Cousin then fizzed in a powerful shot which Ma-Kalambay pushed away awkwardly and the keeper used his large frame to keep out an angled strike from the Rangers forward soon after.

Rangers threatened again on 40 minutes, with skipper Barry Ferguson dancing past several weak challenges to bear down on Ma-Kalambay, only for the keeper to snuff out the danger.

Hibs threw on Beuzelin and Alan O'Brien for the start of the second half and the Irish winger flashed in a cross that bounced up off the arm of Cuellar before a low drive from Shiels was gathered by Allan McGregor.

The Rangers keeper then caught a flick header from the same player.

However, it was the visitors who doubled their lead just short of the hour when Jones and Chris Hogg both failed to close down Cousin and the Frenchman rattled in a powerful shot from 20 yards.

David Weir tried his luck with a strike from similar distance but Ma-Kalambay was able to beat it away.

Hibs were thrown a late lifeline when a loose ball fell to Zemmama on the edge of the penalty area and the Moroccan substitute expertly arrowed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The final score only served to flatter the Edinburgh side, who have seen their season unravel at an alarming rate after briefly topping the table after their 6 October win at Ibrox.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, Gathuessi, Hogg, Jones, Stevenson, Morais (O'Brien 46), Noubissie (Beuzelin 46), Kerr, Chisholm, Shiels, Donaldson (Zemmama 64). Subs Not Used: Grof, McCormack, Antoine-Curier, Lynch.

Booked: Gathuessi.

Goal: Zemmama 88.

Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Whittaker, Burke, Ferguson, Hemdani, Thomson, Cousin (Darcheville 76), Naismith. Subs Not Used: Carroll, Ehiogu, Broadfoot, Boyd, Furman, Efrem.

Booked: Burke.

Goals: Naismith 12, Cousin 59.

Att: 16,217

[DavidMc]

St Mirren v Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 5th January 08
Love Street, Paisley

St Mirren welcome back Will Haining, Andy Millen and Craig Dargo for Hibs' visit to Love Street.
Stephen O'Donnell and Richard Brittain remain unfit while captain Hugh Murray completes a two-game suspension.

Hibernian caretaker manager Tommy Craig expects left-back David Murphy to be available after shaking off a hamstring injury and a midweek illness.

Kevin McCann may return but both Abdessalam Benjelloun and top scorer Steven Fletcher are still absent.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St Mirren squad: Smith, Van Zanten, Maxwell, Barron, Reid, Burke, Mason, Brady, Corcoran, Kean, Mehmet, Dargo, McGinn, Miranda, Howard, Potter, Molloy, McCay, Haining, Millen.

Hibernian squad: Ma-Kalambay, Gathuessi, McCann, Hogg, Jones, Murphy, Stevenson, Morais, Kerr, Noubissie, Beuzelin, Chisholm, O'Brien, Donaldson, Shiels, McNeil, McCormack, Antoine-Curier.

[Doc-Bhoy]

St Mirren 2-1 Hibernian

St Mirren eased their relegation fears and dealt a blow to caretaker Tommy Craig's hopes of becoming Hibernian boss with a comfortable win in Paisley.
But it was a freak goal from Ian Maxwell that gave the Buddies the lead after five minutes, the defender's cross looping into the net.

Garry Brady and John Potter threatened Hibs again before the second goal, Gary Mason firing home after 43 minutes.

Mickael Antoine-Curier backheeled a late reply for lacklustre Hibs.

Andy Dorman, who had received international clearance after his move from New England Revolution this week, had to make do with a place on the St Mirren bench.

But Will Haining, Garry Brady and David Barron did make the starting line-up in place of Alan Reid, Franco Miranda and Stephen McGinn.

Hibs also had three changes, with Guillaume Beuzelin, Alan O'Brien and Mickael Antoine-Curier replacing Dean Shiels, Patrick Noubissie and Filipe Morais.

Early lethargy was broken in the fifth minute, when the home side took the lead with a freak goal by Ian Maxwell, his first of the season.

The Buddies left-back aimed a curling cross deep into the Hibs penalty area, but the ball soared over Easter Road goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay and went in off the far post.

Haining was inches away from getting on the end of Brady's free-kick as St Mirren went close to a second goal.

Hibs' first sign of a response came in the 21st minute, when Antoine-Curier volleyed wide from the edge of the box.

But the home side retained the upper hand, with a Brady snap-shot from 30 yards flying a yard over and Ma-Kalambay saving well from a John Potter header.

St Mirren doubled their lead two minutes before the break after a mistake by Rob Jones.

The defender was short with a back-pss, Ma-Kalambay blocked Stewart Kean's drive, but the ball broke to the striker and his lay-off was hammered home by Mason.

The visitors, who were booed off by their fans at the interval, made one change at the break, striker Clayton Donaldson being replaced with Damon Gray.

Hibs' work rate increased, but there was little to suggest they could rescue the game.

Beuzelin and Ross Chisholm both had weak efforts in quick succession as St Mirren concentrated on defending their lead.

St Mirren were still dangerous on the break and Mason fired just wide from long range.

Antoine-Curier grabbed a goal back for Hibs when he took a Ross Chisholm long ball, rounded Chris Smith and knocked the ball in with his heel after 88 minutes.

But it was not enough to prevent Hibs going eight games without a win.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St Mirren: Smith, van Zanten, Haining, Potter, Maxwell, Barron, Mason, Brady, Burke, Mehmet, Kean.
Subs: Howard, Dorman, Corcoran, Dargo, Miranda, McCay, McGinn.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, Gathuessi, Jones, Hogg, Stevenson, Chisholm, Beuzelin, Kerr, O'Brien, Donaldson, Antoine-Curier.
Subs: McNeil, Morais, Noubissie, Lynch, Shiels, McCormack, Gray.

Referee: K Clark

Poor performance again from Hibs, slipping further down the table.

[DavidMc]

Hibs name Paatelainen as manager

Mixu Paatelainen is the new Hibernian manager after the Edinburgh club agreed compensation with TPS Turku.
The Finn returns from his homeland for a third spell at Easter Road, having had two stints as a player with Hibs.

"I am very happy to take up this opportunity," Paatelainen, 40, told the club website. "Everyone knows of my great affection for this club.

"I believe my desire to see exciting, attacking and intelligent football fits well with the club's philosophy."

Hibs were searching for a new boss after John Collins resigned last month, citing frustration at the lack of funds available to buy players.

And Paatelainen has beaten off competition from former Preston manager Paul Simpson, ex-Scotland U21 coach Rainer Bonhof and Tommy Craig, who was assistant to Collins.

"I will bring energy, hard-work and leadership to the squad," added the man who won 70 caps for Finland.

"I am also committed to working with players, as individuals and groups, to help them to improve.

"If I can help one player improve, the team is better. If I can help all players improve, we are much better."

Paatelainen played as a striker at Hibs from 1998-2001 and from 2002-2003, having left for a season with French club Strasbourg.

A powerful forward in his day, Paatelainen also turned out for Dundee United, Aberdeen, Wolves, Bolton and St Johnstone.

He began coaching at youth level during his second spell at Hibs and moved on to first-team duties with St Johnstone and St Mirren.

His first taste of management came with Cowdenbeath in August 2005 and he went on to win the Division Three title.

In October 2006 he resigned his post at Central Park to take over at TPS Turku and steered the Finnish side to a third place finish last season.

Chairman Rod Petrie said: "We are delighted Mixu has agreed to take up the challenge and opportunity of managing Hibernian.

"We are convinced that he was the strongest candidate, and he impressed us a great deal during his interview.

"He has a clear vision of the type of football he wants to play, has strong ideas on man-management, and demonstrates excellent leadership qualities.

"I am sure he will further enhance his growing reputation."

Will be interesting to see how he handles Hibs. Having played for the club during his career he will know what they are all about and he also has managerial experience in Scotland so the signs look good.

[DavidMc]

Heart of Midlothian 1-0 Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 19th January 08
Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh

A header from Andrius Velicka ended Hearts' 10-game run without a win and claimed the Edinburgh derby honours.

The Lithuanian's nod from six yards after 20 minutes was straight at Yves Ma-Kalambay but the Hibs keeper could only flap the ball into his own net.

With both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table, there was a real shortage of quality play.

However, Hearts posed more threat in attack, while Hibs seldom caused the home defence any trouble.

Hearts will be delighted with a rare victory and to have kept just their second clean sheet of the season.

Hibs, who last won a league game on 10 November, saw a lot of the ball in the second half but could not craft any meaningful chances.

A congested midfield and some typically robust tackling made for a scrappy opening but Hearts looked the more menacing side, with the visitors frequently gifting them possession.

With 11 minutes gone, Ruben Palazuelos rode a poor tackle from Hibs skipper Rob Jones on the edge of the penalty box and his deflected shot was brilliantly clawed away by Ma-Kalambay.

Hibs countered with a quick break but Abdessalam Benjelloun's shot on the turn from 18 yards was easily gathered by Steve Banks.

Another deflected strike troubled Ma-Kalambay but Eggert Johnsson's powerful effort looped narrowly wide of the target.

The opening goal came via a deep corner kick, which was nodded back into the danger zone by Christophe Berra, and Velicka's close range header was fumbled over the line by Ma-Kalambay.

Hibs winger Filpe Morais fizzed a low delivery across the Hearts penalty area but Benjelloun completely missed the ball with a swipe when he was perfectly placed to score.

Fellow Moroccan Merouane Zemmama then had a shot blocked by former Hibee Michael Stewart, who was guarding the post from a corner.

Hibs were growing as an attacking threat but a swift counter from the home side saw Andrew Driver's low strike saved by Ma-Kalambay and Hearts were once again in the ascendancy as the first half drew to a close.

The visitors made a bright start after the interval and had Hearts pinned back for long spells, although Banks was not called into action thanks to some resolute defending from his team-mates.

Hibs were also undone by poor decision making and the final ball from midfield often left the forwards frustrated.

Half time replacement Steven Fletcher, back from a lengthy injury lay-off, did engineer some room on the edge of the penalty box after 73 minutes but his shot was well blocked by the lunging Johnsson.

Hearts came close to a late goal when substitute Saulius Mikoliunas was presented with a free header in a central position but Ma-Kalambay got down smartly to keep it out.

And there was another scare for Hibs when full-back Kevin McCann shaved the outside of his own post with a clearance

[DavidMc]

Hibernian v Gretna
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 26th January 08
Easter Road, Edinburgh

Hibernian's Thierry Gathuessi and Clayton Donaldson are available to face Gretna after being suspended for last Saturday's derby defeat by Hearts.
Lewis Stevenson is also available again after being absent through injury since early January.

Gretna could give a debut to Everton midfielder John Paul Kissock, the 18-year-old having arrived on loan.

He would be a straight replacement for Fabian Yantorno, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hibernian (from): Ma-Kalambay, McNeil, McCann, Gathuessi, Hogg, Jones, Murray, Morais, Kerr, Beuzelin, Zemmama, Shiels, Benjelloun, Rankin, Antoine-Curier, Donaldson, O'Brien, Fletcher.

[DavidMc]

Hibernian v Rangers
Scottish Cup
Sunday 3rd February 08
Easter Road, Edinburgh

Hibernian midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin is a major doubt for Sunday's Scottish Cup fifth-round clash with Rangers because of a knee injury.
Abderaouf Zarabi is not expected to make his debut, fellow new signing Colin Nish is cup-tied, but Lewis Stevenson is fit again.

Rangers' Steven Whittaker and Charlie Adam both face fitness tests.

But new recruits Christian Dailly, Steven Davis and goalkeeper Neil Alexander are all set to feature.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hibernian (from): Ma-Kalambay, McCann, Hogg, Jones, Stevenson, Morais, Kerr, Murray, Rankin, Fletcher, Benjelloun, McNeil, McCormack, Zemmama, Shiels, Chisholm, Beuzelin.

Rangers (from): McGregor, Whittaker, Cuellar, Weir, Papac, Ferguson, Davis, McCulloch, Burke, Darcheville, Novo, Adam, Alexander, Dailly, Naismith, Boyd, Broadfoot, Hemdani.

[DavidMc]

Dundee United 1-1 Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 9th February 08
Tannadice Stadium, Dundee

Dundee United and Hibs played out a fourth successive draw after an entertaining match at Tannadice.
United striker Noel Hunt claimed his 15th goal of season when he tucked in a 12th minute penalty.

A blunder from keeper Lukasz Zaluska allowed John Rankin's strike from 20 yards to bounce in for the equaliser.

Hunt and Hibs' Steven Fletcher both hit the woodwork in the second half, while visiting midfielder Dean Shiels missed the target from 10 yards late on.

With towering skipper Rob Jones missing through injury, Hibs were nervous defending from set-pieces.

And United's direct style of play caused problems throughout a pulsating 90 minutes.

Hibs were under pressure from an early corner, with Jim O'Brien slashing a shot wide from 16 yards.

The Easter Road side also had a good chance inside the first few minutes but Filipe Morais made a mess of a header from 10 yards, following a great delivery from Rankin.

Hunt was guilty of a close range miss as the Hibs defence were caught out by a monster long throw-in from Danny Grainger and Willo Flood also squandered a headed chance inside the six yard box.

A quick break from Hibs saw Colin Nish steal in behind the home defence and the sprawling Zaluska did well to block as Shiels ran on to the new striker's back-heel.

The ball broke across the gaping goal to Fletcher but the forward's touch was clumsy and United had to time to crowd him out.

The visitors were punished for Fletcher's profligacy when Craig Levein's team dashed up the park to set up the opening goal.

Hunt set up O'Brien for a powerful angled shot that was beaten away by Yves Ma-Kalambay and Flood had his heels clipped by Guillaume Beuzelin as he got his head to the rebound.

Contact looked minimal and accidental but a penalty was given and Hunt's tame effort from the spot found the net despite Ma-Kalambay getting a hand to it.

A neat interchange of first time passes opened up the United defence but Shiels got himself in a tangle with a step-over and Zaluska smothered the danger.

Having struggled for much of the first 45 minutes, Hibs found themselves level just 20 seconds after the restart when Zaluska allowed a speculative shot from Rankin to bounce over his outstretched arms.

Grainger brushed the roof of the net with a swerving free kick before United introduced Mark de Vries from the bench.

The substitute striker added even more height to the home ranks and did well to nod down for Hunt, who grazed the crossbar with his close range twisting header.

Fletcher had endured a frustrating game, not seeing much of the ball and unsure of his touch when it did come his way, but the Hibs man produced a great bit of skill to hit the base of the post with an overhead kick from 20 yards.

Ma-Kalambay did well to tip over a strong de Vries header and the visiting keeper got down smartly to gather another header from Hunt as United continued their aerial assault.

The Belgian U21 international then pushed away a Conway drive before Hibs finished strongly.

Zaluska made a fine reaction save to keep out a prod from Nish and Shiels was guilty of a shocking miss when he skewed wide with the goal at his mercy.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger (Kalvenes 90), Conway, Flood (Swanson 76), Kerr, Gomis, O'Brien (De Vries 63), Hunt. Subs Not Used: McLean, Kenneth, Buaben, Odhiambo.

Goal: Hunt 13 pen.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, McCann (Gathuessi 46), Hogg, Morais (Zemmama 76), Hanlon, Beuzelin, Shiels, Rankin, Murray, Nish, Fletcher. Subs Not Used: McNeil, O'Brien, Stevenson, Chisholm, Gray.

Booked: Hanlon, Hogg, Rankin.

Goal: Rankin 46.

Att: 6,635