Forget the three defeats in a row that have derailed any hopes Hibs might have had of hanging onto Celtic's coat tails into the split. Whatever else happens, this is a very significant season for the Leith club - today Hibs confirmed that they are finally building a new East Stand.
By starting work now, the club hopes to have the new stand finished early next season. Once open, it will complete the redevelopment of Easter Road which began in 1995, when Hibernian decided to create a modern, purpose-built all seater stadium on a ground that had seen the old banked terracing chopped up and covered in piecemeal fashion for decades.
Planning permission for the new stand had been secured some years ago, but the current slump in the construction industry has persuaded the club to enter a buyer's market and build the stand now. When complete, Easter Road will have a capacity of a little over 20,000.
Think about that for a moment. The biggest Scottish football stadia outside Glasgow are currently Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, at around 20,000 seats or so, and neither club comes close to filling them at the moment. Meanwhile, clubs across Scotland (from Celtic and Rangers down) are tightening belts as new financial realities hit home.
Yet Hibs have decided now is the time to spend a few million on a new stand.
It's brave, ambitious, and testament to the prudent way the club has been run over the past few years. Hibs are often lauded as a model of how a football club should be run - for good reason. They've spent only what they could afford, and resisted fan pressure to invest in long-term infrastructure rather than short-term signings.
In fact, chairman Rod Petrie could probably transfer himself for a hefty seven figure fee to any club that wanted to benefit from his business acumen.
If the footballing map in Scotland is changing, with the Old Firm no longer so dominant, then keep an eye on the club from Leith.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
St Johnstone thump Hibs
They say you're only as good as your last game. In that case, Hibs aren't very good at all.
All credit to St Johnstone for thumping their visitors 5-1 last night, a result that gives them real hope of moving up into the top six. But they were certainly given a big helping hand from an insipid opposition.
Their second goal came from a counter attack, and as the Saints swarmed up the park, most of the Hibs team decided that getting back to defend was a job best left to other people. The third was even worse from a defensive point of view, the Hibs defence simply inviting Cilian Sheridan to cross an inviting ball and then leaving Kenny Deuchar the time he needed to nod it in.
John Hughes now has issues to sort out, with serious questions being asked about his team for the first time this season. He pointedly refused to bring in cover at right back in January, saying it was unnecessary, but in the past two games has moved Chris Hogg out there from central defence. And they've conceded 8 goals.
Meanwhile, the crazy 4-2-4 formation that Hibs have been playing most of the season now looks to have run its course. There is no point having so many strikers on the pitch if midfield is being over-run.
Time for the Hibs manager to earn his corn. His team needs a little attention now that the season is entering its decisive phase.
All credit to St Johnstone for thumping their visitors 5-1 last night, a result that gives them real hope of moving up into the top six. But they were certainly given a big helping hand from an insipid opposition.
Their second goal came from a counter attack, and as the Saints swarmed up the park, most of the Hibs team decided that getting back to defend was a job best left to other people. The third was even worse from a defensive point of view, the Hibs defence simply inviting Cilian Sheridan to cross an inviting ball and then leaving Kenny Deuchar the time he needed to nod it in.
John Hughes now has issues to sort out, with serious questions being asked about his team for the first time this season. He pointedly refused to bring in cover at right back in January, saying it was unnecessary, but in the past two games has moved Chris Hogg out there from central defence. And they've conceded 8 goals.
Meanwhile, the crazy 4-2-4 formation that Hibs have been playing most of the season now looks to have run its course. There is no point having so many strikers on the pitch if midfield is being over-run.
Time for the Hibs manager to earn his corn. His team needs a little attention now that the season is entering its decisive phase.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Aberdeen 0-1 Raith
It's not looking good up in Aberdeen tonight. Dumped out of the Scottish Cup in tonight's replay against Raith Rovers, Mark McGhee and his team were booed off the pitch, and worse, with reports of fans throwing scarves and spitting at the manager as he went up the tunnel.
The club's season is all but over. It would take a minor miracle to haul themselves up into a European finish in the SPL now, and given Aberdeen's bi-polar form, that's not going to happen.
Aberdeen have been often brilliant on the road this season, but fragile at home. Last saturday's draw against Celtic at Pittodrie could have been a turning point, but clearly it wasn't. Mark McGhee was honest enough to admit that Raith Rovers deserved the win tonight - his team just didn't turn up.
Aberdeen's poor cup run is nothing new, of course. It was their failure to get within sight of domestic silverware which finally did for Jimmy Calderwood. And the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. When expected to perform, the Dons wilt, especially against lower league opposition.
In the circumstances, the crowds are likely to tail off, leaving the team to see out the season in front of a half-empty Pittodrie. McGhee will know that his budget for next season - already seriously restricted - will be even tighter now. And without money, how can he afford to rebuild the squad?
The club's season is all but over. It would take a minor miracle to haul themselves up into a European finish in the SPL now, and given Aberdeen's bi-polar form, that's not going to happen.
Aberdeen have been often brilliant on the road this season, but fragile at home. Last saturday's draw against Celtic at Pittodrie could have been a turning point, but clearly it wasn't. Mark McGhee was honest enough to admit that Raith Rovers deserved the win tonight - his team just didn't turn up.
Aberdeen's poor cup run is nothing new, of course. It was their failure to get within sight of domestic silverware which finally did for Jimmy Calderwood. And the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. When expected to perform, the Dons wilt, especially against lower league opposition.
In the circumstances, the crowds are likely to tail off, leaving the team to see out the season in front of a half-empty Pittodrie. McGhee will know that his budget for next season - already seriously restricted - will be even tighter now. And without money, how can he afford to rebuild the squad?
Hearts all at sea
Now that Jim Jefferies, at the fourth time of asking, has a victory under his belt, perhaps now is the time to ask some gentle questions about his return to Hearts.
Such as... having failed to sign a striker in January, can he really afford to leave Nade out in the cold for the rest of the season? Following alleged changing-room fisticuffs between the burly striker and Ian Black, the word is that he's been fined and kicked out of the first team picture. With his contract up at the end of the season, we could have seen the last of the big guy.
Meanwhile, the Jose Goncalves stand off continues: the "fantastic" offer is still on the table, but unless Jose signs an extension to his current deal (which also runs out in the summer), he's not going to get a game either.
Having been forced into adopting this decision by his paymaster, Jefferies has since been tying himself in knots trying to justify it. Which he can't, of course, because it makes no sense.
Hearts lost the League Cup semi-final without their best defender, and are now paying north of £10,000 a week for Goncalves not to play. A bit like Nade, then.
The new offer - rumoured to be worth even more money - also makes no sense for a club which is supposed to be following a new, more prudent strategy. It takes them right back to the maddest days, when Vladimir Romanov was signing supposedly coveted players on huge contracts over his manager's head, and then watching as they failed to recoup that "investment".
Meanwhile, the club bobs between the top and bottom half of the table, never sure if this is merely a very disappointing season or a disastrous one.
Hearts are the laughing stock of Scottish football (as Scotsman writer Tom English pointed out in this tongue-in-cheek piece) but the Jambos don't find it very funny.
You suspect that, in his quieter moments, Jefferies looks even grumpier than he does when facing the media.
Such as... having failed to sign a striker in January, can he really afford to leave Nade out in the cold for the rest of the season? Following alleged changing-room fisticuffs between the burly striker and Ian Black, the word is that he's been fined and kicked out of the first team picture. With his contract up at the end of the season, we could have seen the last of the big guy.
Meanwhile, the Jose Goncalves stand off continues: the "fantastic" offer is still on the table, but unless Jose signs an extension to his current deal (which also runs out in the summer), he's not going to get a game either.
Having been forced into adopting this decision by his paymaster, Jefferies has since been tying himself in knots trying to justify it. Which he can't, of course, because it makes no sense.
Hearts lost the League Cup semi-final without their best defender, and are now paying north of £10,000 a week for Goncalves not to play. A bit like Nade, then.
The new offer - rumoured to be worth even more money - also makes no sense for a club which is supposed to be following a new, more prudent strategy. It takes them right back to the maddest days, when Vladimir Romanov was signing supposedly coveted players on huge contracts over his manager's head, and then watching as they failed to recoup that "investment".
Meanwhile, the club bobs between the top and bottom half of the table, never sure if this is merely a very disappointing season or a disastrous one.
Hearts are the laughing stock of Scottish football (as Scotsman writer Tom English pointed out in this tongue-in-cheek piece) but the Jambos don't find it very funny.
You suspect that, in his quieter moments, Jefferies looks even grumpier than he does when facing the media.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
How's Robbie Keane settling in?
He scored his first goal in Scottish football at the weekend, but it was a penalty and he's still drawing a blank in the league. He got plenty of chances last night against Hearts, but couldn't put one away.
There's two ways of looking at this.
Plenty of rival fans are taking great joy in the fact that the £65 grand a week man can't get going in the SPL. And fair enough, too.
But it has to be said that Hearts keeper Marian Kello played a blinder, and on another night Keane could have got a hat trick. More often than not, his team mates gave him the ball, and you get the sense they are a little starstruck by him. At the same time, Keane needs to develop an understanding with them, and realise when there might be another option rather than just taking a shot.
He still looks dangerous, mind, and will no doubt get going soon. He's certainly a dangerous prospect in the SPL.
Whether he's worth the money, of course, is another subject altogether.
There's two ways of looking at this.
Plenty of rival fans are taking great joy in the fact that the £65 grand a week man can't get going in the SPL. And fair enough, too.
But it has to be said that Hearts keeper Marian Kello played a blinder, and on another night Keane could have got a hat trick. More often than not, his team mates gave him the ball, and you get the sense they are a little starstruck by him. At the same time, Keane needs to develop an understanding with them, and realise when there might be another option rather than just taking a shot.
He still looks dangerous, mind, and will no doubt get going soon. He's certainly a dangerous prospect in the SPL.
Whether he's worth the money, of course, is another subject altogether.
Elvis gets his way
Falkirk manager Eddie May was many people's bet to be the first SPL boss to get the sack this season. Jim Jefferies and Csaba Laszlo got the chop before him, but after last night's loss to Kilmarnock that sunk the Bairns back to the bottom of the table, May got the chop. He had a little moan about the lack of money he's had on the way out, too.
So now Stephen Pressley gets the chance to be his own boss. He's still only 36, but he has made it clear for ages that he wants a crack at management. Elvis certainly said some stirring stuff at his press conference, but his languid body language and the uncomfortable silence after he finished speaking suggests that he might find instilling that belief into his players a little more difficult.
Wouldn't you know it, his first match in charge will be against Hearts, so that's set up to be a spicy affair. Some of the more sane Jambos still have a soft spot for their ex-captain, but they're in a minority - the rest are relishing the chance to shout "Judas" at the man who lifted the lid on the madness of the Romanov regime and subsequently got moved out to Celtic.
If their current form continues for much longer, there's still a chance that Hearts could get dragged back into the relegation battle. The battle for survival in the SPL has a few more twists and turns left in yet.
So now Stephen Pressley gets the chance to be his own boss. He's still only 36, but he has made it clear for ages that he wants a crack at management. Elvis certainly said some stirring stuff at his press conference, but his languid body language and the uncomfortable silence after he finished speaking suggests that he might find instilling that belief into his players a little more difficult.
Wouldn't you know it, his first match in charge will be against Hearts, so that's set up to be a spicy affair. Some of the more sane Jambos still have a soft spot for their ex-captain, but they're in a minority - the rest are relishing the chance to shout "Judas" at the man who lifted the lid on the madness of the Romanov regime and subsequently got moved out to Celtic.
If their current form continues for much longer, there's still a chance that Hearts could get dragged back into the relegation battle. The battle for survival in the SPL has a few more twists and turns left in yet.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Any regrets yet Jim?
A week into his second stint as Hearts' boss, how do you think Jim Jefferies feels?
Two matches so far, lost both, and a weekend off because Hearts are already out of the Scottish Cup. Finishing as high as possible in the SPL is now the only prize left.
At his first press conference, faced with questions about the unseemly haste of his appointment just a couple of hours after Csaba Laszlo's sacking, Jefferies decided to claim that he was only phoned by Hearts once the Hungarian had left the building - an absurd story that's already been rubbished as a lie.
Then he decided to adopt the decision to drop Jose Goncalves, one of his best players, as his own, despite the fact that the player is clearly the latest victim of Vlad Flu (a curious condition where a player who refuses to sign a new contract is deemed unfit to play).
And he's also claimed that the decision not to sign a striker in the January window was because the right player wasn't available - despite Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hibs all signing forwards on loan til the end of the season.
So that's three major untruths for the supporters already.
Oh, and he still doesn't have his assistant Billy Brown and coach Gary Locke on the payroll.
Was it really the best decision to go back, Jim?
Two matches so far, lost both, and a weekend off because Hearts are already out of the Scottish Cup. Finishing as high as possible in the SPL is now the only prize left.
At his first press conference, faced with questions about the unseemly haste of his appointment just a couple of hours after Csaba Laszlo's sacking, Jefferies decided to claim that he was only phoned by Hearts once the Hungarian had left the building - an absurd story that's already been rubbished as a lie.
Then he decided to adopt the decision to drop Jose Goncalves, one of his best players, as his own, despite the fact that the player is clearly the latest victim of Vlad Flu (a curious condition where a player who refuses to sign a new contract is deemed unfit to play).
And he's also claimed that the decision not to sign a striker in the January window was because the right player wasn't available - despite Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hibs all signing forwards on loan til the end of the season.
So that's three major untruths for the supporters already.
Oh, and he still doesn't have his assistant Billy Brown and coach Gary Locke on the payroll.
Was it really the best decision to go back, Jim?
Friday, February 05, 2010
Craig Brown shoud walk a bit longer before trying to run
More heart-warming news from Motherwell, where Craig Brown received the Manager of the Month award, and confirmed that he and Archie Knox have extended their contract until the end of next season.
Brown is charm personified on accepting this award, where he takes time to credit various members of his backroom staff, and talks about the privelege of being an SPL manager. All good stuff.
But uh-oh, what's this? "We're going to work hard to make Motherwell the third force in Scottish football"?!
Craig, dear chap, we've heard this before. Last time, the club ended up in administration, after over-reaching itself trying to put up a challenge to the Old Firm.
Motherwell suffer more than many clubs from the long shadow created by the Old Firm to the North, and are continually frustrated in their attempts to get more local people to turn up to the ground, let alone make a wider impact on Scottish football.
We wish them all the best, but maybe a modest strategy of continuous improvement might be the way to go for now?
Brown is charm personified on accepting this award, where he takes time to credit various members of his backroom staff, and talks about the privelege of being an SPL manager. All good stuff.
But uh-oh, what's this? "We're going to work hard to make Motherwell the third force in Scottish football"?!
Craig, dear chap, we've heard this before. Last time, the club ended up in administration, after over-reaching itself trying to put up a challenge to the Old Firm.
Motherwell suffer more than many clubs from the long shadow created by the Old Firm to the North, and are continually frustrated in their attempts to get more local people to turn up to the ground, let alone make a wider impact on Scottish football.
We wish them all the best, but maybe a modest strategy of continuous improvement might be the way to go for now?
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
The script goes wrong
Chief Executive Peter Lawwell likes to talk about "telling the Celtic story", and in his head tonight would have seen the triumphant debut of his expensive new No.7, Robbie Keane. Went a bit wrong, though, didn't it?
Instead Jimmy Calderwood got his first win as Kilmarnock boss, thanks to a goal from another debutant, Chris Maguire, in his first match on loan from Aberdeen. With Falkirk also beating Aberdeen tonight, it was a vital win to keep Killie away from the bottom of the table.
Of course, Henrik Larrson's first match for the Hoops ended in a 2-1 defeat to Hibs, so maybe the omens for the new man are pretty good after all. But one thing is clear - Keane might not have been Tony Mowbray's signing, but making the team work with him in it is his problem. If Celtic don't start chipping away at Rangers' 10 point lead soon, the manager could be on his way out.
As We Love Fitba have said before, plenty of Celtic's longer-standing fans are still pretty pleased with Mowbray, and can see the rebuilding job he is attempting to do. But the best managers rebuild squads while still winning on the park (insert obligatory Alex Ferguson reference).
As it is, the "give him time" punters are being drowned out by the impatient "get tae fuck" merchants.
-
In the other big match tonight, St Mirren beat Hearts 1-0 in the CIS League Cup Semi Final, thus ruining Jim Jefferies' return to the Jambos. As St Mirren beat Killie earlier in the competition, this means that Jumbo's been knocked out of the competition by the same club twice in one season - that is bad luck!
Instead Jimmy Calderwood got his first win as Kilmarnock boss, thanks to a goal from another debutant, Chris Maguire, in his first match on loan from Aberdeen. With Falkirk also beating Aberdeen tonight, it was a vital win to keep Killie away from the bottom of the table.
Of course, Henrik Larrson's first match for the Hoops ended in a 2-1 defeat to Hibs, so maybe the omens for the new man are pretty good after all. But one thing is clear - Keane might not have been Tony Mowbray's signing, but making the team work with him in it is his problem. If Celtic don't start chipping away at Rangers' 10 point lead soon, the manager could be on his way out.
As We Love Fitba have said before, plenty of Celtic's longer-standing fans are still pretty pleased with Mowbray, and can see the rebuilding job he is attempting to do. But the best managers rebuild squads while still winning on the park (insert obligatory Alex Ferguson reference).
As it is, the "give him time" punters are being drowned out by the impatient "get tae fuck" merchants.
-
In the other big match tonight, St Mirren beat Hearts 1-0 in the CIS League Cup Semi Final, thus ruining Jim Jefferies' return to the Jambos. As St Mirren beat Killie earlier in the competition, this means that Jumbo's been knocked out of the competition by the same club twice in one season - that is bad luck!
Monday, February 01, 2010
Robbie Keane the latest Celtic headline-grabber
After Martin O'Neill decided to leave Celtic, after a heady period of trophy-grabbing, the club decided to change its strategy.
Instead of a squad of solid pros on hefty wages, any new manager would need to build a squad of cheaper players to drive wage costs down - with the occasional marquee signing thrown in who could enthuse the fans and help the club market itself in new ways.
So Roy Keane joined his boyhood heroes after losing the plot at Man Utd, and Gordon Strachan also had to fit Shunsuke Nakamura into the team to help the Japanese merchandise sales.
Now Ki Sung Yueng has come from FC Seoul to do the East Asian thing, and now the big news - Robbie Keane has arrived on loan for the rest of the season.
A quality player, of course, but his wage demands (rumoured to be £65,000 a week) make an absolute mockery of Celtic's wage structure.
He hasn't just been signed for his footballing ability, then, but to get the supporters back through the gates (Parkhead had at least 20,000 empty seats when Hibs visited last week) and get some more shirts sold - maybe even those hideous bumble bee away strips.
The weirdest thing about it is that, with Celtic bundled out of Europe, Keane will be playing on a solely domestic stage. Can they close that 10 point gap to Rangers? It's possible, but by no means certain. But you can bet that more people will be watching.
Full transfer round up here.
Instead of a squad of solid pros on hefty wages, any new manager would need to build a squad of cheaper players to drive wage costs down - with the occasional marquee signing thrown in who could enthuse the fans and help the club market itself in new ways.
So Roy Keane joined his boyhood heroes after losing the plot at Man Utd, and Gordon Strachan also had to fit Shunsuke Nakamura into the team to help the Japanese merchandise sales.
Now Ki Sung Yueng has come from FC Seoul to do the East Asian thing, and now the big news - Robbie Keane has arrived on loan for the rest of the season.
A quality player, of course, but his wage demands (rumoured to be £65,000 a week) make an absolute mockery of Celtic's wage structure.
He hasn't just been signed for his footballing ability, then, but to get the supporters back through the gates (Parkhead had at least 20,000 empty seats when Hibs visited last week) and get some more shirts sold - maybe even those hideous bumble bee away strips.
The weirdest thing about it is that, with Celtic bundled out of Europe, Keane will be playing on a solely domestic stage. Can they close that 10 point gap to Rangers? It's possible, but by no means certain. But you can bet that more people will be watching.
Full transfer round up here.
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