I thought Hibernian were excellent first half today, its that simple. The last few weeks our team have really gelled and its taking shape. We brush Killie aside and did so without Kevin Nisbet, Martin Boyle, Rocky Bushiri, Joe Newell, Mykola Kukharevych and it looks like Aiden McGeady. The introduction of the quietly efficient Jimmy Jeggo is a master class. Much as I loved Porto, we dinnae punt it anymore, Paul Hanlon and Will Fish have both clicked, Will really does look like a Manchester United loanee now, great in the air and wants to play football, whilst chipping in with goals. You can see why they gave the laddie a five year deal, hope they like what we are doing with him and he stays for next year too? Then there is CJER, slipped into central midfield like he had played there for Hibs for ten years. Marsh had a wonder save when it mattered and Big Hoppe looked leaner and keaner today, really did well when he came on, even Hendo got a start and Jair got a few minutes. Wee Lee may be a blether, but for me, we are seeing the influence of him on the team, tactics, shape and play now, and its good, I like it.
I think it is worth mentioning the disgraceful sending off today, it was a booking at worst, Vassell didnae go in to injure Cabraja, there was no intent at all. Between the interference of VAR and incompetence of that fat hun cheat Brother Beaton the guy gets sent off. I have watched fitba at Easter Road for over 50 years, I have never heard the Hibs fans booing a decision that went in favour of us. Thousands of us. It ruined the game as a spectacle, a good game it had been too. The game is f*cked.
On that, the game was ruined after the sending off, Killie didnae look like scoring and we played passy. Pity, as it had been a good football match.
A good attendance again, over 16,000 on a driech, cold February afternoon, as ever the young team sang all game, we even got a Hibees clap clap clap form the West Stand Upper, we can all see this team are improving, fitba is being played, are our Hibs back? I hope so? It certainly looks and feels like it.
Did I mention Everton won and climbed out the relegation zone too. Yup, they did, no often I get a Carlsberg weekend.
So, the team....
Marsh was great today, a superb save at 0 0 and during the only period Killie looked dangerous.
Cads played well, they did target him, doubling up first half, and Brother Beaton's lodge pal Jones tried to take the game to him. Chris did well.
Will Fish was superb, best I have seen him, a good goal too. He gets better every game, great header of a ball and lovely feet, I like this laddie, helped obviously by the excellent Paul Hanlon.
The excellent Paul Hanlon was, well, excellent, he and Will really have formed a good defensive bond, we really have tightened up at the back.
Marijan Cabraja looked nervous. Frankly I was surprised he started. Good he got most of the game in but I prefer Lewis, sorry son as I want you to do well.
Jimmy Jeggo, I love this guy, wins the ball, block the opposition, simple effective passing and an engine on him too. Great signing, great name. The song is good but the dafties need to listen to Rocking All Over the World, they get their ooohh's all wrong.
CJER, as I said he slipped into central midfield like he had played there for Hibs for ten years. Enjoy this kid, he is a player, a really, really good player.
Josh had a quieter game today, after his contract extension. An auld arsehole behind me loves to see Josh make a mistake and likes to say so. Every time he does I give a louder shout saying Josh is doing well. I still reckon some folk go to the match to moan. f*cking weirdos.
Hendo made a surprise start. He played well first half, vanished second.
Aiden McGeady was playing well, although its 2 or 3 fluffs for every lovely bit of skill. He pulled up after half an hour, hammy gone I think? Is he the new Kyle Magennis?
I left Elie Youan until last. You all know I didnae immediately take to Elie. He really has grown on me though, the laddie is a good fitba player, an entertainer, a right greedy bastard and makes the wrong decision at the wrong time. After no being sure for a long time, I think I would like us to sign him, frustrating but worth the entrance money. As I keep saying, he loves to beat a player 5 time over, more chops than a pork butcher. Has you out your seat one minute, raging the next. The classic Hibernian player.
The Subs
Big Hoppe got on after half an hour after Aiden pulled up. I thought he had a very good game, scored a good strikers goal and has benefited from us not having a game last weekend. Looked a good player to be honest, another one I like already.
Josh Magennis replaced Hendo on the hour and managed not to get injured. Another good player right enough.
We saw a weird thing with ten to go, three subs at once.
Young Aussie Miller replaced cabraja but played right back and done fine. Nice to see you back son.
JDH replaced the excellent Jimmy Jeggo and I thought actually done well. Nice if he is available.
Jair Tavares replaced Chris Cadden then played left wing? I am pleased for the laddie, I want him to succeed but he disnae get much of a chance.
The Boss
I am delighted for Wee Lee, he said he would sort it out, he has. Fair play to the wee fellae. He didnae get to speak on Radio Scotland, they were having an infirm wankfest and deep dive review of how sh*te Aberdeen are. We went fourth, they didnae notice, other than Michael Stewart who did say good things about us. Keep on keeping on Lee, next one is a biggy.
Killie, well they urnae the worst, but I cannae stand McInnes. Awfy hard done by on the sending off. Fair play to their fans, fair crowd turned up when it would be easier to support Celgers or Rantic.
Brother Beaton is a fat, hun bastard, an incompetent one.
The fans, good crowd, good support for the team, post match pish chat, people now heading to Livi in two weeks who wornae planning to. That is the difference.
Hibernian man of the match, well the sponsors gave it to the goal scorer, I agree. Difference is I think Will Fish was superb today and deserves to be recognised accordingly. Well played son, you really have come on playing for us as a centre half with the excellent Paul Hanlon.
We have a break next week, as we were supposed to play the filthy huns, but they are facing Celtc in the Branston Beans Cup Final next week (where I hope they are dry ridden). Next up is Livi away. My local game, I won't be there, I will be drinking €2 pints and eating battered and fried decapodiformes on an island in the Atlantic. I will be back for the Huns game, I would not miss it, I hate those dirty bastards.
Hibernian Forever!
