Hibs boss Fenlon ‘flabbergasted’ by Claros criticism

By DAVID HARDIE
Published on 07/09/2012 12:58

HIBS boss Pat Fenlon has admitted to being “flabbergasted” at the criticism directed at Jorge Claros, insisting the Honduran midfield star isn’t getting the credit he deserves for the part he’s played in the Easter Road outfit’s promising start to the SPL season.

Fenlon believes Claros is beginning to prove his true worth now his wife Elsa and son Johann have arrived in 
Edinburgh to be with him. Claros missed the birth of his first child and had to wait until the end of last season before being able to travel home to see him.

But now, Fenlon claimed, the 26-year-old has been the 
“unsung hero” as Hibs have strung together a run of four matches unbeaten after they twice came from behind to draw with champions Celtic, Claros’ recent form helping earn him a recall to his national squad for a World Cup qualifying double-header against Cuba over this weekend.

However, Fenlon confessed to being “amazed” at some of the comments in relation to Claros and the “man marks” he’s been receiving in newspaper reports.

The Irishman said: “I was amazed at some of the stuff in the papers in relation to Jorge. In the last few weeks he has really found his feet.

“His football has been a lot better and a lot of that is down to the fact his family have arrived in Edinburgh, while his English is also a hell of a lot better.

“Jorge is now settled a bit more, he’s starting to believe in himself, his confidence is better and he is definitely improving. But I am flabbergasted at some of the crticism. Some of the marks he has received are astonishing. However, I’ve been delighted with him over the last month.”

Fenlon believes the role Claros plays is overlooked, the defensive midfielder prepared to keep it simple rather than adopt a flamboyant style, but one which is just as effective.

The Hibs manager said: “If you go through all the good teams all over the world over a long period of time, the unsung heroes are the ones that, if you take them out, you notice the difference.”

Meanwhile, the Under-20 match between Hibs and Hamilton Accies will take place at Easter Road on Monday (kick-off 7pm) with the young Hibees aiming to clock up their fourth successive win. Admission is free, but a bucket collection will be taken with all proceeds going directly to the Youth Academy.