Tony’s got it in the Bag!!

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Yesterday, Tony’s Tearaways done what the other SPL clubs have failed to do, beat Aberdeen. OK, we know they are short of strikers, fair enough the first half was a bit of a disappointment, but the thousand or so Hibs fans in the crowd will tell you, the Hibees are back and we are back in style.

In a team that started with six of the eleven players aged under 21, we played the fast flowing, crisp passing game that has become the hallmark of Tony Mowbray’s team, sending the Hibees home singing and with smiles as wide as the Forth.

Simon Brown, in goal, played possibly his best game for the club, finally grasping the fact that catching the ball is a safer way keep goal, David ‘Spud’ Murphy is quickly becoming an excellent signing, his no nonsense approach to defending putting the fear of god into the Aberdeen right wingers. Gary Caldwell played well, obviously oozing confidence when playing beside the sublime Ian Murray. How one young man can change a defence in such short a time is beyond me, but he has and Bertie Vogts, sitting in the stand yesterday, must have noted the performance of this natural captain. Stephen Whittaker continued his impressive running and seems to enjoy the freedom Tony gives him to attack.

In midfield, Stephen Glass continues to disappoint, whilst he gave a little more yesterday, he looks week in relation to our young dynamos. Boozy was ‘magnifique’, although a couple of loose balls did put us in trouble, he works hard to tidy up his mistakes and the sheer pleasure on his face at the end of the game, reminded me of Franck. It is clear that Boozy loves being at ‘Heebs’ and appreciates the adoration from the fans. To Dean Sheils............this young lad was brought to the club as at best a bit part player. Within weeks Deano has become a mainstay of the team, covering the pitch with accurate passes, direct running and a confidence that defies his 18 years. Stephen Fletcher, playing in behind the attackers, a role many of us hope Scott Brown will fill, played with fire and ability. He tired during the second half, but it looks like we have another great prospect in the making in ‘Fletch’.

Garry O continues to be Hibs most improved player, working hard, with excellent movement into space and an effort missing from his game last season.


Deek – What can you say? Derek Riordan flits in and out of games, is often easily pushed of the ball by big SPL full backs, can be accused of looking a wee bit irritated at the passing abilities of his team mates? But give Derek a half chance in coming in from wide, just in front of goal, running full tilt, ball at feet, keepers coupon struck with fear and YESSSSSS!!! Derek puts the ball away with skills not seen in a Hibernian jersey since the Cowan and Durie Duo of the early eighties. Yesterday’s goal was simply brilliant. From my seat, it looked like Derek didn’t allow the ball to touch the ground from receiving the pass to tucking the ball away in the far corner from around 25 yards. His cheery, Hibs biased banter on the radio after the match said a lot about Deek and I for one am delighted his is one of us.

Dobbie’s sitter is one to forget and whilst I think he has undoubted ability, Hibs may want to consider offering him out on loan for a few months, to get him match fit and lose that bit of weight he carries. I am sure Yogi would be interested? Jay Shields didn’t get much opportunity to shine but came on late to close the game down and did his best to do so.

Now ‘that’ song….after Hibs had taken our deserved lead, Aberdeen hit us with a couple of troublesome corners and throw ins from the ugly ex Jambo Severin. As Severin took pelters from a boisterous travelling support, the Aberdeen PA tried to get the home crowd singing by playing Pigbags, ‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Pigbag’, probably best known in football circles as the song played at Middlesborough’s Riverside. The Aberdeen attack petered out and the wit of the football fan kicked in big style with every error made by the Dons and every decent piece of play by Hibs being met by a rousing rendition of the song’s chorus from the Hibs support. Even one or two of the dour faced Dons smiled.

Keep it up Hibs, it is often a joy to watch and it is damned good to be a Hibby again!

Glory Glory