The case of Hibernian

The case of Hibernian F.C.

You could be forgiven when it is a season to forget for Scottish Football. However, the case is there. Both Old Firm clubs are struggling and both bottom respectively of their European groups. It has been low before, but never this bad. However, there is indeed one team where there is sunshine in Leith.

Splitting the Old Firm, for many people is still doubt despite the standards raised by the big two this season. The last team to do that were Hearts in 2006, who despite having severe off the field issues, in sacking a handful of managers that year still managed to split the Old Firm, coming second.

The latest heir to the throne now includes Hibernian. John Hughes has revitalised the team from Leith with some important signings. They have looked the real deal this season, drawing away at Rangers 1-1, showing there is hardly a difference in class.

There is no doubt that the Hibernian team under Mowbray was perhaps a tad more talented. If that team had stayed together they would have been right up there with Celtic. That Mowbray team of 2006, included players like Scott Brown, Gary O’Connor, Gary Caldwell, Kevin Thomson and Derek Riordan, but one thing that team lacked was consistency. Though they won a cup the following year, under John Collins, Hibernian fell down to bad depths. This team though are slightly different and seem to be doing the opposite and helping players resurrect their careers as well as introducing teenagers.

The prominent case of Derek Riordan is seen as a big example of the project at Easter Road. It is typical Scottish trait that he is still being talked about with potential, despite being 26. His first spell at Hibernian, showed his talent with forming the best striking partnership with Gary O’Connor. However, getting arrested and being disorderly in Edinburgh nightclubs was never a good sign. This blended with a move to Celtic where Riordan had two years out of his career, being left on the bench. However his return to the club has seen him get his head down, and play arguably the best football of his career. George Burley also seems intent on giving Riordan another Scotland chance, and everyone hopes the striker will get a chance to prove himself on the international stage next week against Wales.

But there are other cases. What about Liam Miller? Formerly of Celtic and Manchester United fame. His career seemed to go worse when he was released by Roy Keane at Sunderland. Loan moves to Leeds United and QPR in the English Leagues didn’t come off. Now he is playing a starring role, in midfield and also internationally for the Republic of Ireland. We are also talking about a player here that played regular first team football at Manchester United, at least for a season. Yes, with the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo, Ferdinand and Van Nistelrooy, Miller was showing why Sir Alex had bought him in the first place.

Ian Murray, another Easter road returner from Rangers, is another player. Then there is Anthony Stokes. Legendary for scoring 15 goals in just 16 games during a loan spell at Falkirk, Stokes like Miller was also binned by Keane at Sunderland. However at £2 Million, he could easily be playing for the Old Firm.

With a solid backbone of the team which includes Graham Stack, the Irish goalkeeper and Sol Bamba, the big centre back, this is a team that can challenge the Old firm this year. There are also talented youngsters like 17 year old, David Wotherspoon and Paul Hanlon, a Scotland under 21 regular.

The Negativity in Scottish football surrounds the old firm, but if Hibernian can start challenging for Honours, then we could see something happening. There is small hope of a ray of light in the doom and gloom that is Scottish Football.