Hibs are trip into unknown - Craig Brown

By DAVID HARDIE
Published on Friday 10 February 2012 12:00

Craig Brown has warned Aberdeen they’ll be taking a step into the unknown tomorrow as they face Pat Fenlon’s new-look Hibs side.

Fenlon has transformed the squad he inherited from Colin Calderwood by bringing in eight new players during the transfer window and that has put his Pittodrie counterpart on red alert.

While new skipper James McPake is suspended along with Paul Hanlon and Leigh Griffiths, Fenlon could field seven of his new arrivals tomorrow, with Brown admitting he’s particularly wary of Honduran internationalist Jorge Claros who is in line to make his debut after clinching the necessary work permit.

Brown, named Clydesdale Bank Premier League Manager of the Month for January, said: “Hibs have made a number of changes and it makes them more dangerous opponents. They have a couple of players suspended, but with eight new players brought in there will be a few wild cards for us to deal with. I know some of the players but the Honduran signing is one I don’t know.”

Brown insisted Fenlon’s signings will be desperate to prove themselves not only to their new manager but believes confidence will already have soared within the Easter Road dressing-room following Hibs’ William Hill Scottish Cup triumph over Kilmarnock, a win marked by the first appearances of Pa Kujabi, Matt Doherty and Roy O’Donovan.

He said: “Whenever a manger makes a signing, he talks positively about the player, but any newcomer has to prove himself. The new players who beat Kilmarnock did well and their confidence will have increased as a result.”

And Brown feels that despite relegation rivals Dunfermline hauling themselves level on points with Hibs following their 1-1 draw against Killie – only goal difference now separates the two sides – Fenlon’s team remain a tough team to crack.

He said: “Their league position would suggest they have struggled, but they are formidable opponents and a side I believe are stronger than the one we faced last season. We won twice at Easter Road last season and drew with them down there earlier in this campaign which means we can go there with confidence.

“But we know we will have to be up for it against a side with so many new players eager to impress.”

Having been forced to travel abroad to gain the necessary paperwork entitling him to work in this country, 26-year-old midfield star Claros trained with his new team-mates yesterday and Fenlon revealed the one-time Rangers target is in line to make his Easter Road bow.

He said: “The temptaton is to play him because he’s a quality player, but he’s had a fair bit of travelling to do. “Jorge can make an impact for us. He’s the type of player we need in the team at the moment, someone to put his foot on the ball and slow things down. We’ll make a decision later today.”

A controversial Scott Vernon penalty earned the Dons the points the last time the clubs met, Aberdeen having been beaten just once since in a run which has pushed them into the SPL’s top six. Fenlon said: “Aberdeen are a good example of what can be done if you put a few results together.”

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48

Walter Mitty

Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 03:56 PM

S F A - Must act on the handshake caper by pauLOSERergio. we dont want it in our game in Scotland. deduct points i say.

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47

ianfaeclerrie

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:25 PM

#44 - Yes - I learned. I think we will win the Scottish Cup this year and I will be arrested at the game and not see us lifting the cup. Interesting at the last Hibs game at Ibrox - the Hunnns started singing God Save the Queen so the Hibbies started singing Flower of Scotland - I wonder of that will be repeated at other grounds over the next couple of years.

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46

Name Withheld

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:46 AM

Edinburgh buzzing once more, because Hibs are firing again, hearts going out like a fert in the wind.

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45

donald marr

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:43 AM

#2 Because we are the Edinburgh Hibees.

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44

Baldrick

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:18 PM

42* I was also at that game and I was also assisted from the ground. In my case, I feinted in the enclosure and was taken away on a stretcher. When I came round they insisted on taking me to the hospital for a check-up. My Hibs supporting mate was quite pleased with this distraction as he listned to score updates. Must say, I'm surprised by your criminality Ian. Hope you learned your lesson re the Glasgow Polis.

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43

Pazuzu

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:13 PM

So glad, the "Yak" moniker I bestowed upon the Hertz has stuck. Pity the banter has long gone though, must be too many free laptops being given away with mobile phones. Anyhow, 2-1 to Hibs one hopes. GGTTH

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42

ianfaeclerrie

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:36 PM

I was 14 and was arrested at that game. After we had the termity to make it 1-1 (final score 1-6, maybe it felt like 0), the Smeltic supporters started throwing bottles, cans and stones at us and we scattered. I ended up on the track looking for my dad, my wee sister, big brother and my pal in the crowd when a weegie polis sergeant came over, knee'd me up the backside and said "come on ya wee c***, get back on the terracing. My reply was (at 14) "leave me alane, I'm looking for ma dad". He grabbed me by the scruff of the kneck, handed me to another polis and said "lift him for breach". When I got behind the stand, there were two polismen kicking a Hibs supporter on the ground and then my arresting officer starting sticking the pins from my two rosettes into my chest. My mum refused to let me go the the Dryborough Cup Final but I was at the League Cup Final.

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41

leith walk

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 06:03 PM

31 Last time we got relegated when Alex Mcleish came in as maneger from Motherwell.Apart from defeat in our first match we went on to storm the division.We had good crowds its hard watching your team get beat every week.When we got beat six nill by Celtic in the Scotish Cup Final .I spent most of the match looking at my feet.My Dad kept saying watch the match Ive paid for thease tickets.But every time I looked up Celtic seemed to score another goal.

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40

Taxi Driver

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 05:21 PM

Im away, same gorgie windy lickers, well done celtic and scotty for the thrashing you gave them.

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39

MrHibs07-1973

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 04:53 PM

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38

De Vries Scores Four

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 04:39 PM

#36 - I agree. I dont think it will take alot to get a bit of distance above Dunfermline if I am honest. Genuinely believe that Hibs are the better side and will pull away. I do love winding posters up on here but as I say, Its jokes only. Dont think Hibs will actually go down. What's more, I dont want them to. No derbies would be boring and financially, for both sides and for the city's economy, the derby is a great money maker. Money on Hibs to sharpen up and Pars to take the fall.

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37

trainspotter

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:32 PM

#34 Witty, Very Witty. Do you have a stand up routine I could come and see?

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36

MrHibs07-1973

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:29 PM

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35

MrHibs07-1973

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:26 PM

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34

St Bernards AFC

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 03:22 PM

Trainspoooooofer boooooohooooooo i feel your pain xx

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