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Motherwell 2 Hibernian 3

15/08/2010 16:43:06 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.

Motherwell  2  Hibernian  3

Last season at Fir Park these two served up that stunning and unforgettable 6-6 draw, today didn’t quite live up to that but it was another thrilling game, and another fantastic advertisement for SPL football.

It was Hibs who threatened first when Stokes used his strength to ease aside Mark Reynolds and only the outstretched leg of goalkeeper Darren Randolph prevented the striker finding the far corner with his low drive.

But with the Fir Park pitch looking resplendent Motherwell quickly seized the initiative with Chris Humphrey in particular causing Hibs all sorts of problems with his pace down the right flank.

It was ironic then that Well should take the lead after some fine work from Tom Hateley on the other wing. With his dad Mark watching from stands he sent a wicked low inswinger into a dangerous area, Chris Hogg was slow to react letting John Sutton get in ahead of him, and the big Englishman stuck out a foot to poke the ball past Graham Stack.

Motherwell remained on top for the majority of the first half with Stack saving well from Sutton and Hateley.

But there were warnings at the other end when Hibs did get out, Mark Reynolds scuffed a clearance into the path of Kevin McBride, but the former Well player hit his shot straight at Randolph who palmed it over the bar.

Hibs hit back with the last kick of the first half when Bamba made a nuisance of himself in the box nodding a Riordan free-kick back across the face of goal, it dropped perfectly for arch-poacher Anthony Stokes to side foot home from 3 yards.

Stokes’ strike must have thrown a spanner in to the works for Craig Brown who had probably already planned his half-time team talk.

Motherwell came out flying again and had the better of the opening exchanges but it was the Edinburgh side who almost took the lead but for a world class save by Darren Randolph to deny Stokes.

It was real end to end stuff as Motherwell went straight up the other end where the impressive Humphrey hit the inside of Stack’s post with a cross-come-shot from the right channel.

However, it was Hibs who got the breakthrough on 64 minutes after another brilliant delivery by Riordan. The former Celtic player swung the ball towards the back post and Hanlon forced it over the line, although the ball did appear to come off his arm.

Motherwell then had a penalty claim turned down when Sutton thought he was illegally barged by Chris Hogg.

With just over 15 minutes left Riordan rolled the ball into the path of Liam Miller who drilled the ball under fellow Irishman Randolph from an angle and what should have been a reasonably comfortable end to the game for them.

And it would have been but for Colin Nish’s crazy tug on the Shirt of Blackman two minutes later who was going nowhere inside the Hibs penalty area.

Referee Craig Thomson was superbly positioned to call the penalty and he was correct to do so.

Jamie Murphy stepped up and calmly rolled the ball past Stack to set up an exciting finish.

The game fizzled out though with Lasley having a last gasp effort to snatch a point blocked by substitute David Stephens.

Craig Brown will be disappointed not to have taken something from a game in which they contributed plenty, but perhaps not about the way in which his players went about their business.

He will be delighted with the acquisition of Darren Randolph who looks very capable and if he can keep Chris Humphrey [who had his problems last season] fit and happy he could be a big player for him too.  

As for Hibs, they had a habit of giving teams a head start last season and coming back and look like they may do that again this season.

One very noticeable thing about Hibs from a totally neutral point of view is the seemingly telepathic understanding between Riordan and Stokes. These two will cause SPL defences a lot of problems this season, if only John Hughes had been brave enough to play the pair in the away leg in the Europa League qualifier.

Motherwell: Randolph, Saunders, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Hateley (Blackman 74), Humphrey (Angelis Charalambous 84), Jennings, Lasley, Murphy, Sutton

Hibernian: Stack, Hart, Hogg, Hanlon, Bamba, De Graaf (David Wotherspoon 65), McBride, Miller, Nish (Stephens 79), Riordan, Stokes

Goals: Motherwell: Sutton [13], Murphy pen [75]; Hibernian: Stokes [45], Hanlon [64], Miller [73]

Murray out suspended

13/08/2010 18:13:47 by SPLBanter filed in News.

Ian Murray misses Hibernian’s opening SPL fixture of the new season at Motherwell on Sunday kick-off 12pm as he is serving the first of a two game suspension.

Other than Murray gaffer John Hughes has a fully fit squad to pick from after Colin Nish and Graham Stack both shook off respective calf injuries.

Hibernian [from]: Stack, Hart, Hanlon, Hogg, McBride, De Graaf, Rankin, Miller, Wotherspoon, Riordan, Stokes, Nish, Smith, Stephens, Stevenson, Galbraith, Bamba, Thicot.

New East Stand finished ahead of schedule

10/08/2010 18:17:58 by SPLBanter filed in News.

Hibernian have announced that the new East Stand will be ready in time for their opening home fixture of the season against Rangers a week this Saturday.

The structure has been completed and received its safety certificates an entire month ahead of schedule.

A delighted Chief exec Scott Lindsay told the club’s official website: "From the day that the demolition team moved onto site, this has been a real team effort,

"There have been numerous people and companies involved and everyone has worked beyond the call of duty to get the new East Stand on line in time for our first home fixture of the new SPL campaign," he added.

"We're absolutely thrilled to be able to open the East Stand in time for the match against the SPL champions and everyone at the club, not least the manager and players, cannot wait for kick-off in front of a capacity crowd in the completed Easter Road Stadium.

"It will be an historic moment, one that many fans will not want to miss and it would be wonderful to mark the occasion with a full house and an electric atmosphere inside the new-look stadium."

Hibs have already sold 3,000 season tickets for the new stand which will accommodate a further 3,500 ticket buyers.  

Sol back in the frame for Maribor return

03/08/2010 18:34:57 by SPLBanter filed in News.

Hibs gaffer John Hughes is thought to be considering a return to action for Sol Bamba for Thursday’s Europa Cup qualifier 2nd leg against Slovenian outfit NK Maribor.

Bamba was left out of the first leg having returned back a week late from his holiday after being with the Ivory Coast at the World Cup in South Africa.

Hibernian lost the first leg 3-0 as Hughes’ tactic of playing Colin Nish up front on his own backfired in spectacular fashion.

Hughes admitted: "He's definitely coming back into our thoughts. I'm not stubborn enough to say he'll never play for Hibs again, or anything like that.

"I was disappointed in what happened but right at this moment in time it's all hands on deck and if we need Sol Bamba, and if he's fit enough and has the right mind-set and is up for it, then he'll certainly come into our thinking.

"I'm big enough and man enough to say, right at this moment in time, it's a call to arms and if Sol Bamba is the one we have to go and use, then we have to use him.

"If we do select him, I hope the fans get right behind him. What's happened is done and dusted, it's history, and he's here. "If he's putting that Hibs jersey on you have to get right behind him."

Of Thursday night’s match itself, Hughes is quietly confident his charges can turn over the 3-0 deficit.

He continued: "First and foremost it would be nice if we were winning the match at half-time, with a clean sheet, then nerves could play a part and then hopefully anything can happen in the second-half.

"Winning 3-0 you would feel confident but football's a funny game.

"We'll give them respect, but I think we've still got a few gears to find and I think if we can find them on Thursday, when it matters, then hopefully it will be game on.

"We might have to fly by the seat of our pants and have a right good go at it, but it's about having a go and that's what I expect from my players on Thursday."

Meanwhile one piece of good news is that goalkeeper Graham Stack has recovered from his calf strain sustained in the first leg.

Hibernian 0 Rangers 1

26/04/2010 16:55:43 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.

Hibernian 0  Rangers 1

Kyle Lafferty was the unlikely hero as Rangers secured their 53rd Scottish title with victory over Hibernian on Sunday afternoon.

Celtic's win over Dundee United earlier in the day meant there would be no celebrations before kick-off at Easter Road with the defending champions under pressure to deliver the result that would seal the silverware.

And, despite what has been another lacklustre season from Lafferty, he grabbed his third goal in four games to ensure the trophy will remain at Ibrox.

The last time Rangers clinched the title at this venue was in May 2005 when Celtic's shock collapse against Motherwell saw their bitter rivals defy the odds to triumph on the final day.

This time around, there were three games to spare for Walter Smith's men.

Hibernian: Smith, Hogg (Thicot 46), Murray, Hanlon, McCormack, Cregg (Nish 55), Rankin, McBride, Wotherspoon, Riordan, Stokes (Benjelloun 73)

Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Edu, McCulloch, Davis, Thomson, Naismith, Miller (Novo 76), Lafferty

Goals: Rangers: Lafferty (17)

Yogi not concerned with who’s coming to town

23/04/2010 18:18:27 by SPLBanter filed in News.

Hibernian Manager John Hughes says he does not care whether Rangers have won the title by the time they kick off at Easter Road on Sunday or whether they need a result to secure it, his job remains the same and that is to get three points for Hibs, and that is all he is concentrating on.

"I'm not bothered who is coming to town, we need a win," said Hughes.

"We know the importance of the match for Hibs. That's all my concern is, to get closer to that European spot.

"It doesn't concern me [if Rangers are champions before kick-off], I'm serious when I say that,

"I've got great respect for Rangers and everyone concerned with the club, but it doesn't concern me.

"My focus is 100% on training my squad very hard, working on it tactically and making sure we get it right come Sunday.

"We have to make sure our focus is 100% to try and pick up three points. It's my job to make sure we are organised and all the work is done."

John Hughes hopes to welcome back Chris Hogg, Patrick Cregg and Liam Miller for Sunday's visit of Rangers.

Miller is free from suspension, but like Hogg [back] and Cregg [toe] is seeking to shrug off a knock and will bid to train on Saturday.

Paul Hanlon is also battling to prove his fitness after a pelvic problem.

Sol Bamba starts his three-game suspension while Merouane Zemmama [knee] is out for the rest of the season.

Hibernian [from]: Stack, Thicot, Hogg, Hanlon, Murray, Rankin, Cregg, Stevenson, Riordan, Nish, Smith, Stokes, McBride, Galbraith, Benjelloun, McCormack, Gow, Byrne