As much as I wanted to keep the band together to fight for a Europa League spot next season, and as much as the fans wanted to see us keep our young talent, certain realities dictated otherwise. In our financial situation, and where we were in the football world, we're a selling club, not a buying one.

What that previous sentence led up to is this. I sold two of our most promising young players. It started when Nottingham Forest asked about Jason Holt. They wanted to pay 2.1 million pounds for Holt. It seemed like a big number, compared to his 900K quid worth, but I knew I could get a bit more, and they agreed to pay 2.5 million pounds for Holt. That was okay, because I still had depth in that position, and I would get more when I got Callum Reilly on loan from Birmingham. Despite being Irish, and not Scottish, he'll make great pals with Callum Tapping and Callum Peterson. What happened next, though...

I sold Danny Wilson to Southampton for 3 million pounds. I felt sick about it, but, I had to. Danny Wilson only had a year left on his contract, and he refused to negotiate, saying he wanted to play for a bigger team. Southampton had inquired about Danny earlier, but didn't give a big figure, so I refused, and I would have refused to put him on the market, but I remembered what happened with Dylan McGowan, I got nothing for him. I didn't want to make an even bigger mistake like that. Southampton finished in the top 4 in the Premier League, and will play in the Champions League, so at least I have the consolation of having a player that will go on to the biggest stages of club football, but I wanted him to do it with us.

Thankfully, though, his replacement revealed itself soon after. Gary Caldwell was released by Wigan, and he wanted to return to Scotland. He was willing to work for cheap, only 1,400 pounds for the year, and looked to be a great stop-gap option to replace Danny Wilson. The only problem is that he played for Hibernian. It was so long ago, but true fans never forget.

Other signings I made were DM/F Tim Payne from Blackburn on a free, he will provide depth at DM and center forward. I also signed Shaun Derry, who has a wealth of experience and while he has slowed down, can still guard the back four and start play from the back as well as he used to. Thankfully, Blackpool picked up their option on Ryan Stevenson, relieving our books of his salary, and I also sold prospect Keiran Telfer to Swansea for 235,000 and 25% of his next sale. He doesn't seem to have that much potential, so I'm curious as to why Premier League teams are after him, but I'll gladly take their money.

Our transfer windfall has allowed us to look at players like Shane Duffy, but they only see the old Hearts and shun us for seemingly not having enough money to pay them.

It's been an interesting turn of events, last season Hibernian had the money to spend on players, and we had to look for scraps, but the tables have been turned, Hibernian has little money to spend, and Hearts have a transfer windfall, although nothing really to spend it on.

TL;DR (all figures in pounds):
Transfers Out:
Ryan Stevenson to Blackpool for free (Blackpool activates future fee of 0 pounds)
Jason Holt to Nottingham Forest for 2.5 million
Danny Wilson to Southampton for 3 million
Keiran Telfer to Swansea for 235,000 and Hearts gets 25% of next sale

Transfers In:
Tim Payne for free from Blackburn Rovers
Shaun Derry for free, contract expired
Gary Caldwell for free, unattached
Callum Reilly from Birmingham on a season long loan

Damn, unlucky to see you lost some of your best players for relatively little money. Still the replacements should do a job and I'm sure you won't miss them at all

With the team back from its end of season break, and with the same tactics, and the team retaining a lot of its tactical competency, I decided to focus heavily on fitness in our pre-season training, since fitness is a big part of our high-pressing game. My assistant manager had scheduled preseason fixtures against Harrogate, Ballymena United, Raith, and Chesterfield, not the most grueling of gauntlets, but I liked it, since I wanted to instill the idea that we were winners, it was a slate of confidence builders.

The first two friendlies were walkovers, as we defeated Harrogate 5-0 and Ballymena United 3-1. Tim Payne came back from his enforced rest for the third friendly against Raith, and had an excellent game, picking up 2 goals as we scored 4 goals in the first 20 minutes, but soon the goals dried up and we couldn't get in again and the game ended 4-0.

A couple of days after the friendly, we were finally able to finalize and announce the season-long loan of striker Amido Balde from Celtic. It cost us dearly, as we have to cover 30% of his 11,000 pound weekly wage and pay Celtic 22,000 pounds a month, but given our all-in desire for European qualification, and the fact that we can actually afford it now, it doesn't bother me much. I'll gladly fill Celtic's coffers if I can embarrass them at the same time.

Balde got off the mark in our last friendly against Chesterfield, although the goals didn't flow as free as they did in the other friendlies. Balde's strike was the only goal until the 90th minute, when Callum Paterson scored to make the final 2-0.

Transfers In:
Amido Balde from Celtic (season-long loan, 22,000 pound monthly fee, Hearts 30% wage contribution)

It was the beginning of a new season, and defending champions Celtic began their title defense at Tynecastle Stadium and against Heart of Midlothian. Of course, before any big fight, you need the big talk, and Celtic manager Neil Lennon and I were happy to oblige. Lennon acts a bit big for his breeches, and understandably so, but Hearts and I are all too happy to knock him down a peg or two.

The time for talk was over, and the time for action was now, Hearts started a handful of new players, and Amido Balde was not one of them due to the terms and conditions with his loan. However, Marc McCallum, Gary Caldwell, Shaun Derry, Callum Reilly, and Tim Payne all made their debuts for Hearts in the starting XI. Celtic also had some new faces, most notably Itumeleng Khune, who took the place of Fraser Forster after leaving Celtic for the Premier League lucre of Nottingham Forest.

Both teams had it back and forth early, but Chris Eagles broke it open for Celtic in the 22nd minute with an amazing direct free kick goal over our wall, McCallum had no chance of saving it. Celtic had a 1-0 lead going into the 2nd half. I just told my team that they were unlucky, and they seemed to be reassured of themselves, they've played well, their deficit is just out of their hands right now.

Birmingham loanee Callum Reilly was the big hero for Hearts in the 72nd minute, scoring the equalizer after volleying in Billy King's low cross from a tight angle. However, it wasn't until the referee called a foul on Derk Boerrigter in the penalty box during a Hearts free kick that our fortunes really changed, and ice cold Jamie Hamill slotted in the penalty to give Hearts the 2-1 lead in the 75th minute, but Celtic had 15 minutes left to make a response.

Those 15 minutes were hell on my psyche, incredibly stressful, as Celtic kept beating down our door but just fell short of bursting through. Jamie Walker had one more miracle in him though, as Callum Tapping played a perfect pass to him and he streaked down the right side and beat Khune again to put Hearts up 3-1 in the 90th minute. The Hearts supporters cheered and sang as the full time whistle blew, putting Hearts top of the table at least for one match day!

Gary Caldwell had an excellent return to Scottish football, defending well and winning the player of the matce. Neil Lennon had a conniption fit after the game, criticizing the referees for calling a penalty against Boerrigter and criticizing me after the game. It still doesn't change things. Suck it, Neil!

Matches Played: 1
Points: 3

Excellent win for Hearts, how many times have you beaten them now?

Suck it, Neil indeed! You must be their bogey team, they won't stand a chance when Rangers come back, and there may be two teams from Edinburgh ahead of them too

After turning away Celtic once again with a 3-1 victory over them, I felt invincible, unfortunately, the feeling wasn't to last, as we were defeated in our first road game 4-1 by Inverness. I don't think that was a fair result, and Brad McKay getting sent off in the 42nd minute for getting his 2nd yellow and Amido Balde being injured on a tackle made things worse than they should've been. Thankfully, though, Amido Balde managed to avoid missing any time despite being unable to play at a high level after his injury for that match.

Kilmarnock, the club that finished 3 points ahead us and out of the playoff last season was next. The Hearts supporters were keen to see our fortunes change, and they did. Although Amido Balde didn't factor into the goalscoring, Luke Giverin, playing in relief for Kevin McHattie who is missing a few weeks with an injury, kicked it off. Jamie Walker doubled the lead with a gol olimpico, or direct corner kick goal. Gary Caldwell finally got on the board with a corner kick goal in the 29th minute. The scoring dried up for the rest of the game, but we were able to hold on, with Kilmarnock only able to score a consolation goal late.

The victory put us back on the top side, and we were able to keep at it after a 3-2 victory against Dundee United. Although we dominated, Dundee United were able to score a couple of goals and threaten our 3 points. Amido Balde scored his 2nd goal of the season, his first coming in the debacle at Inverness.

Balde really came into his own in our 3-0 victory at St. Mirren, scoring 2 goals and drawing two yellow cards against the same player, getting him sent off. Balde is the first player I've seen who seems adept at drawing fouls/cards, not with simulation, but with his ability to get into dangerous places. After 5 matches Balde is tied for 2nd place with 4 goals, with Dundee United's James Keatings in first with 5 goals. Hearts have also made the top position their own, with 12 points in their first five matches. However, their next league game is against the bogey team Hibernian. Can I get that monkey off my back? We certainly have the quality to. Not only Balde, but Jamie Walker, who is leading our club in form and has 3 goals, and Birmingham loanee Callum Reilly who has 2 goals and tag-teams with Callum Tapping to boss the center midfield.

Matches Played: 5
Points: 12

Can't wait for that next derby, hopefully you guys can provide a classic.

Times are tough at Hibernian. Five games of the season are down already, and Ally McDaid has earned a grand total of just two points. With just four goals, all of which came from different players - no strikers, under their belts and the toughest games still to come, it was going to be a long hard season of attempting to beat the drop, in what was originally planned to be a top-half challenge.

Previously, at Hibernian F.C...

The board have had a huge part in that matter, however. Ally was tough at the end of last season, and having narrowly avoided relegation, opted to release some of his underperforming, ageing high earners, amongst them Tim Clancy, Alan Maybury and captain James McPake. His budget for the season ahead looked healthy and he submitted pre-contract offers to some of the best expirees he could find, thanks to the Scottish Premiership contracts ending before most of Europe. Previous loan signings Geoffrey Mujangi Bia and Jose Semedo, along with former Manchester United youth Sam Johnstone who looked set to become a quality first choice 'keeper for the foreseeable future, were all offered and accepted contract offers, seemingly on their way to Edinburgh. Ally also set his sights on former loanees Jordan Obita and Jake Cassidy, with the pair available for a loan and for free, respectively.

And then the board decided to interfere in the worst possible ways. Just days after these contracts were offered, and despite good profits being posted and the club balance remaining steady, the board decided to take away virtually every remaining penny from Ally's transfer budget. He was disgraced, and felt utterly betrayed, having only just signed a new, lower-wage contract to help with the finances.

Mujangi Bia was just able to squeeze in with the remaining funds, but with the wage total now threatening to go overboard, none of the other signings were able to be signed at that time. Great, Ally had little more than the minimum amount of players required to fill a subs bench, and no money to bring anyone else in.

And so, he did the only thing he knew how to do. He panicked.

Firstly winger Liam Craig, who had been crucial in assisting the first team's goals last season, was sold off to Charlton for a sum of £350,000, having only played for the Hibees for a solitary season. As if they hadn't taken enough babies' candy already, the board stole most of this transfer profit for themselves, leaving Ally with but a fraction of the extra cash he had so dearly prayed for upon the sale of one of his star players.

Nuno Gomes had opted to stay in the game for at least another year, but keeping him now was never going to be an option given the current, greedy financial regulations imposed by the wealth-thirsty boardroom at the club. And so, Nuno was able to end his career in the cushiest possible fashion, signing for Qatar Stars League club Lekhwiya on a comfortable wage package, three times what he had been earning in Scotland, which he was being paid for his services.

Ryan McGivern was the next, high-profile player to go, signing for Partick Thistle for a quarter of a million pounds, the kind of funds that Hearts were rolling in, able to drop lucrative bids in for players like Shane Duffy and Amido Balde, the latter joining in a pricey loan deal from league champions Celtic.

Having then proceeded to loan whatever reserve team or unnecessary players he could find, McDaid was left with his wage budget now balanced but still with a new squad to put together. Alas, he was forced to rely on cheap loan deals from English clubs to get his players; with Lewis Milne and Vitalijs Maksimenko joining from Brighton, Anthony O'Connor coming in from Blackburn Rovers and Kenneth McEvoy and the re-loaned Nabil Bentaleb being brought in from parent club Spurs, although the latter's wages were to be paid in part by Hibs this time around.

Jose Semedo was eventually signed on for another year, being kind enough to take a sizeable wage cut from what he had previously been earning at Sheffield Wednesday to help the cause, and Paul Dummett, Dougie Imrie and Sam Daniel, released by rivals Hearts, also joining the club. Having missed out on Johnstone a second time around to an eleventh hour offer from Premier League Hull, McDaid went in search of the "next best thing" to keep the goal count down in the Hibs net. Former Doncaster goalie Gary Woods was eventually signed on a £2,000 per week contract, and performed admirably in pre-season...

Still not happy with his team, but with nothing else that he could do about it, Ally started the season with little faith, and it showed. An error from new goalkeeper Gary Woods just before half time, away at Partick Thistle foresaw what was in store over the next year. Bob McHugh scored both goals of the game on the day, the same player who had scored the winner versus Hibernian on the opening day last season coming back to haunt them, and his second was hardly something to saviour from Gary Woods.

A 3-1 home defeat by Motherwell followed to plummet Ally's side to the very bottom of the league. A poor free kick beat Woods before ex-Jambo John Sutton nabbed a couple of goals, a Nabil Bentaleb screamer doing little to spark a comeback in between Sutton's goals. Having been at fault for the majority of his team's goals so far this season, Ally took the massive call of dropping his high-earning, hapless Englishman for an inexperienced 16 year old named Billy McNulty. This call was the best thing to happen to Hibs so far this season.

McNulty, along with fellow youth products Marc Douglas and Euan Smith (not to be confused with Euan Smith, also a Hibee), had been attracting massive interest from down South even before his debut, and Hibernian were knocking back dozens of bids from Premiership clubs daily.

Starting against Ross County, in Dingwall, to become Hibs' youngest ever player, beating Jamie McCluskey's previously record by a whopping 3 days, young Billy put in a blinder. Making some top drawer saves and proving he is no pushover when it comes to set pieces, Hibs defended bravely and looked good for holding out for a point. However, it seemed their luck was well and truly inexistent when a looping Alex Cooper header from a wonderful cross found the back of McNulty's net, a goal which no keeper, not least a teenager, could have done anything about. However, Hibs refused to back down, and for the first time this season, they claimed a point.

A few good chances were passed up as they attacked in numbers, but substitute Scott Robertson was brought into the game in the 84th minute, only to score with practically his only touch seven minutes later to tie the game up at the death. It may only have been a point, but it felt like a win, and hauled the Edinburghians off the bottom.

Next up was a tough trip to Aberdeen, and having been much the better side, it seemed Hibs were back to the old ways, when Scott Vernon found goal from close range. Former Don Cammy Smith, starting only his second league game for Hibs thanks to the poor form of usually-reliable James Collins, passed up several great opportunities to score his second Hibernian goal, but Fraser Mullin was not to be denied from well outside the box, beating the Aberdeen keeper with a brilliantly executed free kick.

In all honesty, the winner should have gone to Hibs, but with less than 10 minutes left to play, Aberdeen struck very lucky. A goalmouth scramble looked destined to be cleared, until a certain foul on a Hibs player went amiss as he attempted to hoof the ball upfield - and was promptly bundled to the ground. Willo Flood took a tame effort, and saw his shot crash off the post, before bouncing off a despairing McNulty and straight to Vernon who scored his second, and the winner, from just a yard or so out.

It was incredibly harsh on Hibs, although the Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes somehow disagreed, but next up was a huge clash with shock promotees Queen of the South.

QoS had started the season suprisingly well, and had earned a respectable seven points from their opening four games despite a heavy defeat at home to Dundee United. Nevertheless, whenever they attempted to attack they found Billy McNulty, excellent throughout his third straight start, and the teenager looked like a natural as he bravely chased long balls and came out to clinch corners, never once failing to succeed in his duties. Despite this, Queens did take the lead, but an inspired goal from Mujangi Bia midway through the second half levelled things up and gained Hibs a precious, if unwanted, point.

To The Present...

And so Ally finds his team in dire straights with 33 games left to play. His previously trustworthy board had denied him any sort of funding required to build a new team, despite making them big profits in his debut season, and so he knew who to blame if his young team did not keep him in the job for the rest of the season

In stark contrast, Hearts were at the other end of the table and so far were cruising to European qualification, and with the Edinburgh Derby to come in very little time, there could be no worse match to attempt to pick the Hibees up and guide them to undisputed safety.

Money, money, money. It really is a rich man's world.

Hearts once again showed no sign of weakness as they hammered League One side Cowdenbeath in the Scottish League Cup 4-1. Amido Balde's massive performance in scoring 2 goals and an assist for Hearts was overshadowed by his having to leave the pitch due to injury. Sources have revealed that his injury is a twisted knee, and while he will miss 3 weeks, including the imminent derby against Hibernian, staff at Hearts are relieved that it isn't more serious of an injury.

Kevin McHattie will be soon to return to the fold as well, he has started playing reserve matches to get his fitness back. In other news, Hearts are rumored to be not done with looking at players. They have been rumored to have a 725,000 pound bid for St. Mirren midfielder Ramon Arcas accepted, and a contract agreed to in principle, but are waiting to make things official, and they may be looking at some players who are currently attached.

(Sorry today's update wasn't as big, Steam's servers went down when we were playing and prevented us from playing any more.)

Great updates lads, it's very sad that you're struggling with your finances and how you're forced to sell the top stars and replace them with 'other ones'. Good luck!

After both teams had tough 2-0 losses, Hearts to Partick Thistle, and Hibs to Inverness, I decided to unwind by watching Sky Sports. after a bit I noticed a strange item at the bottom of the Sky Sports ticker: "Ally McDaid Sacked From Hibernian Manager Position". This looked serious, so I decided to call him up. He picked up immediately, thankfully.

AM: "Hello?"

DG: "Hey, Ally, this is me, Dave. I saw on Sky Sports that you were fired. is that true?"

AM: "Fucking wanker board decided to blame me for their misgivings and sacked me."

DG: "That sucks. I felt like you were about to turn it around, they just didn't give you enough time. So, what are you going to do next...wait, I have an idea. I have an extra spot on my staff, you can work as an assistant coach?"

AM: "Fuck off, I don't need your charity. Who knows, I could stay in Scotland, I could leave the country."

DG: "Well, I'm glad we don't have to pretend to be enemies anymore."

AM: "Yeah, me too. Hey, Dave, sorry to cut this so early, but can you give me some time, just to think about things?"

DG: "Sure, talk to you later. Good luck finding another job."

*click*

---

McDaid's precarious position was created by his first loss in the Edinburgh Derby, and my first victory in five attempts, a 2-1 victory. the winning goal coming when Marc McCallum, after delaying playing the ball for several touches, played a perfect Hollywood pass to Callum Paterson, who sliced in between Hibernian's center backs and beat the Hibs' goalkeeper.

Thankfully we had a chance to recover from the Partick Thistle loss, smashing Motherwell away for the same 5-2 result we got last year, albeit without losing a man this time. Unfortunately, we yo-yoed back to the losing side with a 2-1 League Cup loss to Aberdeen. We were the better team, we just ran out of time. That's how those things go sometimes. Thankfully, we're still atop the league and don't have a meaningless league cup to focus on.

October 2014. Ally McDaid leaves Hibernian F.C. for the last time.
"All the best, Ally."
"You're a top guy."
"Sorry."
The words from his former players couldn't be any more irrelevant. Sacked after his winless start to the season, the final nail in the coffin had come with the Edinburgh derby, despite the fact that Ally had lasted another week or so. With the scores in deadlock, a flukey winner from the Jambos had clearly pissed off Rod Petrie. He warned Ally that if the team couldn't manage a win in the tough away reversal at Inverness, then Ally and Hibs would be no more. The team barely even tried, and the Hibernian love affair was over.

"Fucking joke," are the mumblings of Ally McDaid, a hero just a few months earlier, as he swings across the exit doors of the complex for the last time. He has supported the team for his entire life, he has never even had so much as a soft spot for any other team at club level. But now, his one true footballing love is in doubt. Supporting a team through a relegation dogfight is one thing, supporting them having been stabbed in the back by the club owner is another.

He turns to look up at the half-blinded office, in which Rod Petrie is kicking back at this very moment. With a momentary glance around him to check for onlookers, or indeed the press who obviously had not yet been tipped off about the sacking, Ally stamps the ground in disgust, before sprawling into a trend-worthy rage of throwing middle fingers at the window and booting just about anything in sight. His frustrating fit is finally brought to an abrupt end by the buzzing of his mobile.

Seven minutes later...
"Yeah, fuck off back to Tynecastle ya prick!" Ally screams, without realising that Dave Gordain had already ended the call. No matter how desperate he is, nor how furious he is at the green club in Edinburgh, he would never accept a job at Hearts. Thinking about it, he isn't even sure how Dave had found out about his sacking so early, especially given the total lack of journalists lurking currently.
"I guess news really does spread quickly," he shrugs, and continues his short trek through the car park to his motor.

His phone vibrates once more. It's Gordain again. What does he want this time, the wanker?
"Oh, and Ally, I feel I should probably tell you now..."
Ally remains silent.
"...I've just got off the phone to Rod Petrie. He's offered me an interview at Hibernian..."
Ally begins to breathe more heavily and ferociously than ever. Without hesitation, Dave proceeds to console him.
"...Which I declined, of cour"
*click*

Ally continues towards his car, shooing off a cluster of magpies, resting atop his bonnet. It appears they wanted to paint McDaid's car, white.

With a shake of the head he unlocks the door and hoists his first foot into the vehicle. His phone starts off again.

"ARGHHHHH," moans Ally, as he chucks his expensive IPhone half way across the car park, denting a Mercedes-Benz on its journey. Ally McDaid exits the car park for the very last time, pleaing with the lords of karma to have made that car Petrie's.

Where is the nearest jobcentreplus around here anyway?

hahahahaha brilliant.

Great updates both of you
Unlucky about the sacking though Rab!