Hibernian F.C. - from The Capital

BREAKING NEWS: The Sun believes today that Hibernian striker Paul Heffernan has today agreed to join Sky Bet League 2 side Brentford in a deal that is thought to be worth around £80,000. The deal comes as a shock as he is the clubs top goal scorer with 12 goals, although 7 of these goals came in the 2 matches against Hibernians in the 2nd round of the Europa League. Horne is believed to have called up academy graduate Cody Mulhall, 17, to replace Heffernan after he impressed him in training sessions with the first team. The main reason for Heffernan’s sale is reported to be due to his ageing years as Horne looks to bring through youth players at Easter Road. The Hibernian fans have had a mixed reaction to the sale with some fans believing Horne was right to sell Heffernan after his below par performances of late. Many fans though are saying it was not Horne that made the decision to sell the Irishman but it was Hibernian Chairman Rod Petrie.

“Everyone can see that Petrie has made this deal, he needs to stop interfering with the playing squad and selling our best players. The fact that the money isn’t being put back in to the squad to buy another striker screams that it’s that muppet that calls himself the Hibernian Chairman that has made this deal.” Said one irate fan outside Easter Road.

We caught up with Hibernian Manager Andi Horne outside Hibernian’s impressive £5 million training base. “I just want to make this clear to every Hibernian fan that it was my decision to sell Paul, not the Chairman’s. If ever there was any interference from up the stairs with my squad I would leave immediately. Can I also point out that the Chairman gave me a lot of money to spend in the summer and we were the only Scottish team out with Celtic to spend any money, with £200,000 going on James Collins and £190,000 going on Paul Mcgowan.”

Stern words there from the Hibs Manager, who has made it clear that there is no interference from above. Only time will tell if this is the truth or not.

January & February

Scottish Premiership & Scottish Cup:

January:

What a month we had in January, starting with one of the craziest Edinburgh Derby’s ever with 2 men sent off within minutes of each other and the game ending with 8 goals scored and ending with a terrific win at home to Celtic. We have now won 11 games in a row, what a run we are having!

Transfer Window

We didn’t bring in any players throughout the transfer window due to lack of funds and my wage budget being used up I did however manage to sign midfielder James Wallace on a pre-contract agreement. Wallace will replace the outgoing Tom Taiwo whos contract is not being renewed.

I think I remember signing Tiago Ilori once in FM13, he was pretty good. James Wallace looks like a good get, especially for free. How come you don't have the colored circle things that display a win/loss/draw?

2013-11-29 02:24#146659 ebEliminator : I think I remember signing Tiago Ilori once in FM13, he was pretty good. James Wallace looks like a good get, especially for free. How come you don't have the colored circle things that display a win/loss/draw?

Yeah he's been brilliant for me this season hopefully I can get him on loan again for next season. I think Wallace will be great and at onlt 22 he's a steal, has pretty high wages though :/. I changed it so you could see the goal scorers, I'm not sure if you can have both which is pretty crap if you cant, but I've not really checked if you can or not though.

Great month in January, especially the wins over Hearts and Celtic.
Although, February wasn't great I am sure you can get back to good form

2013-11-29 10:27#146712 pompeyblue : Great month in January, especially the wins over Hearts and Celtic.
Although, February wasn't great I am sure you can get back to good form

Cheers mate, theres nothing better than beating Celtic or Rangers when your a Scottish team on FM, as they are so much better than everyone else.

Haha yes!! Take that Celtic!!

Keep it up pal, going well!

2013-11-29 10:59#146719 jason_connolly1987 : Haha yes!! Take that Celtic!!

Keep it up pal, going well!

Cheers mate :D!

March

What a month we have just had winning 6 out of 6, scoring 17 and only conceding 3 goals. We also got another win over Hearts so that’s 4 wins out of 4 against the Jambos. I’m also glad that my patience and faith in James Collins had paid off with the big striker scoring his first goal for Hibs.

HIBERNIAN PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Cody Mulhall: This month was so hard to choose a player of the month with both James Collins and Paul Hanlon both having a terrific month, but the youngster has stepped up to the plate when asked. He scored 2 and also set up 2 for his team mates.

William Hill Scottish Cup Semi Final Draw

The Draw for the William Hill Scottish Cup was made today and it was certainly interesting. The biggest game of the round is going to be with fallen giants Rangers and current 2nd placed team in the Scottish Premiership Hibernian. This is the biggest game Rangers have played in since they went bust and had to reform as a new club. Although Rangers are arguably the bigger side in this match the favourites still remain Hibernian who have been in excellent form this and sit only 4 points behind League leaders Celtic. If Hibernian go through it will be their 3rd successive Scottish Cup Final. The match will be played at Hampden on Saturday 19th April 2013.

The other match drawn was Hibernian’s capital city rival Hearts against Scottish Championship side Hamilton. Hearts are believed to be strong favourites and the bookies are giving Hamilton no chance to qualify. The pressure will all be on Hearts though and it’s not known if their young side will be able to handle such pressure. I think I speak for everyone when I say this is going to be a great couple of matches with most neutral’s will be hoping Hibernian and Hearts go through to set up a repeat of the 2012 final which, sorry Hibs fans, Hearts won convincingly 5-1. You can watch both games live on Sky Sports 1HD.

Brilliant month mate

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Scottish Cup Semi Final: The Build Up

Hi there and welcome Hampden Park live on Sky Sports 1 with me Jeff Stelling and I will be accompanied by 2 of the greats of the Scottish game former Rangers Player Graeme Souness and former Hibernian player and manager Mixu Paatelainen.

We’ll come to you first Mixu. At the beginning of the season everyone had already written Hibs off as possible relegation candidates, what has Andi Horne done to this side who are 4 points adrift of Celtic in the League and stand 1 game away from the Scottish Cup Final
First off I would like to congratulate Andi on his fine current campaign. I think he has firstly installed belief into his squad and secondly he’s added the much needed quality that was severly lacking under Pat Fenlon.
Graeme, Hibernian have been considered as strong favourites for the match today what do you make of that considering Rangers dominance in League 1
I’m sorry Jeff but I can’t agree with that, the bookies are off their heads. Rangers, in my opinion, are still one of if not the biggest team in Scotland. Just because they are playing in a lower league doesn’t make them any less as big a club, the squad they possess now could easily challenge for the Scottish Premiership. I also believe that Horne is over achieving with the squad he has and its only a matter of time before their bubble bursts, which will probably be today.
OK, the line ups are in and here they are we will start off with Rangers :

A strong and predictable line up that should be able to see Rangers through to the final.
I agree with Graeme it is a strong squad but they are missing two key players in Tempelton and Daly. Let’s have a look at the Hibs line up before we start making predictions.

A good Hibernian line up which has served them well in the league but I still believe that Rangers will have too much for them. They’re lack of fire power both on the field and on the bench will be their downfall.
Graeme is right about the Hibernian strike force, it is pretty weak and I don’t believe James Collins is the answer, he’s hardly scored any and it took him 20 odd games to score his first goal.
My point exactly Mixu. I always think it’s a mistake to leave Kevin Thomson on the bench is a mistake as he’s a player that can really make a difference for this Hibernian side.
Thanks guys but thats all we have time for just now as the teams are ready to come out of the tunnel, I’ll pass you over to our commentary team Neil McCann and Charlie Nicholas.................

Scottish Cup Semi Final: 90 minutes

Hi there and welcome to the Scottish Cup Semi Final, between Rangers and Hibernian I’m Neil McCann and my co-commentator today is Charlie Nicholas.
Thanks Neil, todays match should be great and a real test to Hibernians title credentials

1-and we have kicked off here in Glasgow
What an atmosphere Neil both sets of fans are definitely adding to the spectacle.

10-Hibernian have controlled the possession in the match so far but they haven’t been able to do anything with it.

12-Some great passing their from Hibs as Fahey finds Harris in acres of space but the Scotland Under 21 International is offside.
He was unlucky there Neil as it was a tight call, the linesman got it right though.

35-Not much happening in the match still as Hibernian keep possession.
They look like they are toying with Rangers before they go for the kill Neil but if Rangers get one chance it could hit the back of the net.

36-and McGowan plays a lovely ball through to Harris and he skips past 1, he skips past 2 and takes a shot.....
OOOOH! So unlucky there by Harris as his shot comes off the inside of the far post, great skill by the Hibernian youngster to get past the 2 defenders.

41-Rangers in possession here and the ball goes out to Nicky Law on the right and he picks out a magnificent ball to Jamie Bowery, he’s one on one with the keeper GOOAAAAAL!
What a magnificent strike that was from just inside the area, Williams had no chance there.

HALF-TIME- Its half-time here at Hampden and Rangers are winning 1-0, back to the studio.

Well boys what do you make of that first half?
I think what we said about Hibernian’s strike force is true as they have had plenty of the ball but have squandered a lot of opportunities.
Yes I agree Mixu, Andi has his side playing some Barcelona-esque football but they just don’t have that killer instinct and should probably think about subbing Collins off as he has been shocking infront of goal today.

Can Hibernian come back Graeme, and do you still think Rangers are a much better side than Hibernian?
I’m not sure if they can, I think Rangers will do exactly what they did in the first half and sit back and let Hibs pass about infront of them and remain resilient at the back. I stand by what I said at the start of the game although Hibs are dominating possession they just aren’t the full package that I believe Rangers to be.
I’m not sure I agree with you there Graeme Hibs are doing wonderful today and have been unlucky with hitting the post and some great saves by Simonsen who is my man of the match s far. Can Hibs go out there and win? I believe yes and Andi will be telling his Team the exact same.

Thank you for your comments, the teams are out and we are ready to kick off again, back to Neil and Charlie.

45-Thanks, Jeff.
And we have kicked off again here at Hampden can Rangers hold on or will Hibs come back, lets find out.

50-Rangers have started where they left off as Simonsen plays a great ball up the park that goes straight to Barrie McKay, he turns and shoots...
OOOH! He hits the bar, so unlucky there Neil what a goal that would have been, Hibs need to buck up their ideas or their dreams of a cup final will fade away quickly.

64-Great play by McGivern as he finds Fahey on the left, Fahey slips the ball through to Collins whos made a fantastic run.
He shoots straight at the keeper what a poor game the big man is having today, he could have scored 2 or 3 by now.

70-Substitution for Hibernian as winger Paul Cairney comes off for youngster Cody Mulhall, looks like Mcgowan will move out to the right and Mulhall will play in behind Collins.
A strange sub there Charlie as Collins has been diabolical, my bet would have been on him to go off before anyone else.

81-Time is getting on now and it looks like the Hibernian manager has changed his formation to an all out attacking 4-3-3, Kevin Thomson also comes on for Keith Fahey.

84-GOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!!! Great play by Hibernian as young Fraser Mullen takes throw in near his own corner flag who finds Ilori, he then passes it to Liam Craig who plays a magnificent ball over the top to James Collins who ends up one on one with Simonsen and calmly slots it through the keepers legs.
I bet Andi is glad he never took my advice to sub him off

FULL TIME-Full-time here and extra time awaits, back to you at the studio.................

Scottish Cup Semi Final: Extra time

Thanks Neil, what a second half for Hibernian dominated from start to finish and got their reward with a goal in the last 5 minutes of the match
I am really pleased for Hibs they truly deserved to get that goal and were really unlucky not to add to their tally
It pains me to say it but I agree with Mixu, theyve been fantastic and thoroughly deserve their goal. Both teams look shattered and its anyones game to win although Rangers look a bit more jaded than Hibs.

Does the fact that Hibs play at a higher level now come into the picture Mixu?
No I don’t think it does as all the players in the Rangers squad are of Scottish Premiership ability and will train as if they are in the Scottish Premiership.
Totally agree there, the 90 minutes took alot out of both teams there and I think that the fittest team will win this match.

Thanks again guys back to commentary as the teams are ready to start extra time.

Welcome back to Hampden Park where its extra time here in the Scottish Cup Semi Finals.
It looks like Ilori is coming off for McPake here, to be fair to the young lad he’s ran himself into the ground and looks exhausted. McPake is experienced in these situations and will provide a calm head in this young Hibernian back four.

105-Not a lot has happened in this first half of extra time both teams look exhausted and no one wants to make a mistake. Let’s hope the second half is better .

114-McGivern has made a magnificent run up the left and find Kevin Thomson on the edge of the area, Thomson then plays a lovely ball to McGowan who its it straight at the keeper.
That was disappointing Neil if anyone was to score there it would have been McGowan, it looks like we are heading for penalties.

120-Full-time in extra-time and we are going to penalties.
It looks like both managers have this sorted already and quickly hand their list to the referee. McCoist looks absolutely fuming at his players as opposed to Horne’s calm and collected manner. Have Horne’s mind games before the game finally affected McCoist.
I think they must have Neil there is a time and a place to be angry at your players and this is not it, he should be trying to calm his players nerves.

Scottish Cup Semi Final: Penalties

So here we have it a winner will be decided in the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, we’re about to start here, Hibernian win the toss and decide to go first.

Craig steps up, goal, great penalty there straight into the side netting. The keeper had no chance.
Its Law for Rangers, goal, another great penalty right into the bottom corner.
McGowans turn now, goal, He looked nervous in the run up but sent the keeper the wrong way.
MacLeod steps up, SAVE! Ben Williams with a fantastic fingertip save to deny MacLeod.
Now comes Hibs’ goalscorer Collins, goal, expertly dispatched into the bottom corner.
It’s the turn of the Rangers scorer now as Bowery steps up, goal, another fantastic penalty.
Mullin steps up, goal, sublime finish from the right back right in the top corner giving simonsen no chance.

Rangers need to score here to make sure they are in with a chance.

Richard Foster walks up calmy to the spot, goal, great penalty.
Now it’s the Hibernian captain Kevin Thomson’s turn to step up, he takes a breathand runs up, you could hear a pin drop in this stadium, GOAAAAAL, the ex-Rangers man puts Hibs through to the final of the Willaim Hill Scottish Cup for the 3rd year in a row.
Can they end the 111 year hoodoo on this performance, definitely. Back to the studio..............