Mixed Bag
Edinburgh, Scotland. Saturday, August 31 2013. Transfer Deadline Day.
The much anticipated transfer deadline day is here, and 5 fixtures are also taking place in the Scottish Premier League. With minutes to go before the window slams shut, McDaid has made a last ditch attempt to sign Reading's
Jordan Obita on loan as a replacement for Paul Cairney, who has just signed for Dundee United for £35,000.
Moments to go, and Obita has signed, without the player even being in the country. Oh, the wonders of modern day football.
Previously, at Hibernian F.C...
With Dave Gordain's Hearts in free-scoring form, Ally McDaid was ready to make an impact. Hibernian have been in consistently poor home form over the past few years, however, and even before McDaid's arrival, fans knew it would take something special to kick the misery.
It wasn't to be this time. Dundee United were in full control, and Ryan Dow's goal, subsequently voted the 3rd best goal of the month, had them ahead very early on.
But if there's one weapon Hibs have, it's the golden oldie, Nuno Gomes. A wonderful ball from Liam Craig sets through Gomes, and he unleashes a thundering shot into the net to level things up. The drama didn't end there for the half, however, as David Goodwillie's penalty is saved by Ben Williams to keep the scores level at the break.
Into the final quarter of the game, and Hibernian are still clinging on, despite being far worse on the night. But, alas, it would take yet another special strike from United to win this, with John Rankin's volley, itself voted the best goal of the month in the league, sweetly finding the top corner to win it.
And, with Hibs attacking in vain, an own goal at the other end sealed their fate. The whistle is blown to a song of booing, and Ally McDaid marches down the tunnel shaking his head.
Later that week, and the press are continuing their hilariously bad conferences and being ripped to shreds by the Edinburgh managers. One very nonsensical journalist, who one does wonder how they ever got any job, let alone this, named Nico Pauker continues to be at the centre of attention.
"Do you agree with Gordain's decision to transfer list Dylan McGowan?" he asks, clearly misplacing the fact that the Jambos are under a
transfer embargo currently and that it is totally out of Dave's control.
And the friendly banter between the managers and the press continued, with once again the press playing the role of the victim perfectly.
McDaid leans back in his seat and applauds, sarcastically.
"They're under a fucking transfer embargo, you imbecile," he replies. A startled silence ensues, followed closely by one soft chuckle after another, and then fits of laughter at Mr. Pauker. Enough questions for one day.
Back on the pitch, and Hibernian continue their better away form with a late victory against Kilmarnock, themselves in near-turmoil. Substitute James Collins replaces Nuno Gomes, and after two huge chances for the big striker, he finally slots one home with two minutes to play. Final score - 1-0. Relief.
And lastly comes the kind of match, on deadline day, that you would imagine to feature last on the weekly highlights shows. Without spoiling anything, the match against Ross County at home ended goalless. And really, that spoils nothing, as nothing actually happened all match.
Forced to focus on such nonchalant demeanors as the subs bench enjoying an expected yawn, the TV crews weren't the only people who were well and truly bored out of their minds.
And it showed. Clearly, you know a match if of poor quality when fans are leaving with thirty minutes to play and the game still in deadlock, and when even the most hardcore of supporter groups have slowed their singing to but a single line.
Hibernian had 0 shots.