Hibernian aced their start to the season, recording only a single defeat (away in Europe) in all competitions in July, August and September. October hit them hard: four games, four defeats, then came a 25-day lay-off, with an international break augmented by a period when half the team had to isolate.
When you look back on their results, how they reached next week’s League Cup Final is an oddity, but they did so in some style against a Newco side that capitulated in the face of even-handed officialdom. Defend poorly, against Martin Boyle in particular, and you will lose goals.
That the team on the worst run of form in Scotland reached the final is irrelevant, if they are good enough to get there, they are good enough to take seriously. I would prefer Jack Ross to have remained as manager, instead of resigning after last night’s defeat to Livingston (we have all been there, Jack). What their former manager could not do is maintain discipline. Their worst two results in recent weeks: defeats to Ross County and Livingston, saw two late red cards in each game, as the team lost composure when they needed it most.
Hibs will now hope for the dead cat bounce effect to come into play at Hampden. This phenomenon holds up statistically, although the effect soon runs out of fuel. The full horrors of last season came home to me after we dropped points to Jack Ross’s Hibs 54 weeks ago. Celtic’s trajectory was clear, but we would wait a further 3 months before Neil Lennon resigned. That cat did not bounce.
We have three games before the final, home to Motherwell, away to Ross County and tonight’s dead rubber against Real Betis. At the corresponding fixture last season we discovered David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro were capable of improving the team. Who knew? I’m sure Ange Postecoglou will hope for the same from some of his fringe players tonight.
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HH
Bit harsh on the guy, I rated him, shows what I know
KINGLubO
JR never looked at ease / totally in control.
They seemed to have made progress at the start of the season but as it developed they seemed to lose cohesion and belief.
Good squad but performance levels seem to be very variable — even within games.
Over coached with not enough on-field leadership?
It’s Jack Ross’s way I’m afraid, starts really well, but it usually falls apart, happened at Sunderland too. por cierto.
Be interesting to see who they pick next!
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Quite shocked to see Jack Ross sacked – must be more to it than meets the eye surely. They have hit a bad patch, however no worse than Glass at Aberdeen….but they are in a cup final.
I had always thought the guy was destined to manage at higher levels….puzzled!!!
John Kennedy.
Lenny for the Hibees, you heard it here first!
Maybe Alex Neil who did ok with Preston before going to Norwich
imagine for a moment,
Hibs turn to NFL as an interim manager, and he wins the league cup for them.
Sad to see jack ross being sacked, to think he was linked with us
GENE on 9TH DECEMBER 2021 12:28 PM
Maybe Alex Neil who did ok with Preston before going to Norwich.
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I think you may be on to something. He’s been ‘showing out’ in the media recently – putting himself in the Scottish ‘shop window’….maybe Hibs are thinking “too good to miss”.
Susie Dent Blue heart
@susie_dent
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23h
If you’re in need of a comforting word today, a ‘hibernacle’ is a winter retreat, where you can pretend for a time that the outside world doesn’t exist.
Wonder how long Hibs will take to secure a new manager.
BADA BING You put up McInnes name this morning,back to you based on what ,ex Hibs player on Sevco Sports and a few on here saying Lennon or Alex Neil ex Hamilton,Norwich,Preston for the coach job with Hibernian.
Thanks to those who offered advice on the TV aerial .I now think the aerial itself is fine and the problem lies with the connection into the box.
Tomorrow, I might ask questions on the matter of successful putting. Now, where is that book…..?
I remember when two airiels in our street got married
the wedding was ok, but the reception was fantastic
Discussing TV ariels is OK with me. I bet if HS’s had been installed by Bankier & Lawwell Telecomunications Ltd, it would be the top subject on today’s blog
HOT SMOKED
I don’t know about putting specifically, but advice for golf generally?
Don’t drink and drive.
UNCLE JIMMY @ 12:47
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Very quickly I’d imagine – probably got their man already lined up. My guess is Alex Neil, a former EPL manager & readily available – what’s not to like?
Hibs are not in dire straits presently, why not give JR his ‘moment in the sun’ in the LCF? Is it because they fear their new man might slip through their hand in the interim?
I remember Bankier & Lawwell supporting Simon & Garfunkel at the Old Burns Howff
I’m very much in the camp for resting players tonight. My general worry is if we don’t give a regular player a rest in this game, then there isn’t another opportunity until the January break. So my team would be –
Hart in goal. I mean, why not.
Juranovic at right back, no other viable starting options here, pre-season left me feeling Urhoghide was just too raw.
Scales left back, a chance to build on his cameo on Sunday and show what he can do when starting a game.
Welsh and Bitton centre backs. Starfelt may have been forced back a little early at the weekend, so a bit more time allowed for recovery.
Soro, McCarthy and Henderson in a pretty defensive looking midfield. Loathe to play any of our regulars, McGregor may insist on starting but there’s no way I’d play Rogic. Hopefully McCarthy can find a more mobile role in that setup with Soro supporting defensively.
Abada, Ajeti and MJ across the front three. Lacking options here, particularly left wing.
I’d be looking to rotate Juranovic and MJ out around 60 minutes to give them a rest (possibly for Urhoghide and Montgomery), they both have high energy roles and will probably be required to play regularly for the next couple of weeks at least.
So even the sacking of the manager of a team in Edinburgh results in digs at the Celtic board.
They need a new hobby. How about knitting while curtain twitching?
Small addendum – No idea if he’s registered but I’d be tempted to give Owen Moffat a run out in the Rogic roll at some point tonight, he was the youth player star of pre-season and I believe he’s been tearing it up in the reserve league.
Tom
Banker was at last year’s downing Street party – brought the whisky.
I’d be surprised if McCarthy didn’t start
And I thought Welsh was injured.
As I said before don’t think RB will put out they’re best side.
What do you mean we’re not playing Red Bull 🤔
SONSOFERIN on 9TH DECEMBER 2021 1:25 PM
I’m very much in the camp for resting players tonight. ……………
……………..
Me too. You’ve put a lot of thought into your team selection. I think it makes a lot of sense too. We can’t afford to take risks and you’re right, this is our sole chance to rest players until the January break. It also gives some players to stand up and make a name for themselves tonight.
I have an adult and child ticket for tonight.
I can’t make the game now.
Either take both or just one.
You would need to pick up in Motherwell area.
Gene – Welsh is fit and available, CCV is suspended.
Sonsoferin
Thanks
“Celtic’s trajectory was clear, but we would wait a further 3 months before Neil Lennon resigned. That cat did not bounce.”
A decision you were fully supportive of Paul 67.
In fact you done a full arrogant article sniping at us who were shouting for change telling us the board were far more clever than us and that’s why they get paid the big bucks, remember?
Has a squad been announced for tonight?
Dessybhoy –
https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2033262–celtic-vs-betis/lineups/
The “digs” at the Board were probably triggered by horrific flashbacks on being reminded “The full horrors of last season came home to me after we dropped points to Jack Ross’s Hibs 54 weeks ago. Celtic’s trajectory was clear, but we would wait a further 3 months before Neil Lennon resigned. That cat did not bounce”.
Celtic’s trajectory was indeed “clear”. Even a half-wit could see it. The Board’s dalliance will unfortunately live long in the memory for most of us.
SOE
Ok thanks
Timbhoy163- McInnes is available, knows the League, i will be as dismissive as you,there’s more chance of me getting the job than Lennon. Alex Neil been doing the media rounds lately, is probably fav.