Pat Fenlon followed Celtic in youth but Hibs win is sole concern now

Published on Saturday 18 February 2012 12:59

PAT Fenlon used to make the pilgrimage over the Irish Sea as a boy to watch boyhood heroes Celtic with his dad.

But the Hibs manager is now prepared to risk the ire of family and friends as the Leith outfit bid to halt the leaders’ remarkable 17-match domestic winning streak when they come calling to Easter Road tomorrow.

The demand for tickets and interest has made Fenlon realise this is more than just another game on a personal level.

But the Dubliner – who admits he idolised Kenny Dalglish as a kid – would take no greater satisfaction that seeing Hibs rein in Neil Lennon’s seemingly impregnable Celtic team.

Fenlon said: “Everybody in Ireland has an affinity to Celtic and that’s just the way it is, it’s just my club. My father Pat was a Celtic fan and like most people, it goes down through generations.

“My dad was a football man, he liked Preston North End and Celtic was his team in Scotland.

“Growing up in Ireland at that time there was probably only Liverpool and Manchester United, and Celtic was the only Scottish team.

“You didn’t get any matches on TV, you had the papers and you got a glimpse of the Scottish Cup final after the English Cup final until the 90s, when they started showing more games.

“I’ve not seen Celtic much at all over the last few years, probably once in the last three years.

“Previous to that I was coming more although it’s difficult when you’re playing and managing as well,” added the former Bohemians manager.

Fenlon, whose side have renewed confidence following a productive January transfer window and the fact they recorded successive clean sheets for the first time in a year, added: “I’ve got a few friends coming over and a few coming through from Glasgow so it should be interesting on Sunday evening.

“Hopefully I can rub their noses in it a little bit after. There is a bit of interest in it, more than normal.

“There is plenty of interest back home, it’s probably a chance for me to show what I’m doing but I’ve not looked at it that way.

“It would be nice for people to say ‘he’s over there doing a decent job’ after Sunday if we get a result from the game.

“It was never an ambition to take them on but it is now. My ambition is to beat them, it would be a great scalp but it’s really for the club, it’s not about me. It’s focusing on the points.”

The Celtic fans are sure to be in celebratory mood on Sunday regardless of the result after watching their side stride 14 points clear at the SPL summit after Rangers were hit with a ten-point penalty for plunging into administration. Hibs were in fact the last team to take points off the Glasgow club back in October.

“Celtic began their run after we played them and hopefully we can end it,” added Fenlon.

“To go that many games unbeaten, and just winning is phenomenal.

“We know we’re in for a tough afternoon but we don’t fear them.”

Fenlon was at Bohemians when the Irish club’s financial woes started to mount and has sympathy for those affected by the crisis at Rangers.

He added: “I think with the game we’ve got it is probably a little bit harsh for me to talk about anything else.

“I feel sorry for the people that are employed by the club because it’s a difficult, difficult time.

“I’ve been there and know what it’s like, it’s not nice. I’m sure it will take care of itself.”

Comments

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68

jambofan1

Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 06:15 PM

hi five what a laugh

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67

Swords Man

Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 05:48 PM

Headline tomorrow in the DR..'Hoops go nap as RFC edge closer to being put to sleep'..Just for the craic,like...

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66

BASHABIGOT

Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 05:30 PM

mr ireland have a look at post 61, feel silly ??

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65

ferguson's rocket

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:54 PM

#63 + 64 ...aye, ok then... 10 nil.

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64

Damo Lennon

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:05 PM

Blimey it gets heated on the wee team threads!

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63

MrHibs07-1973

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 07:40 PM

Comment removed by moderator

62

ferguson's rocket

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 06:42 PM

#61 wrong again (you're consistant, i'll give you that!)... fancy celts to win 11 nil tomorrow - not a chance they'll be taking it easy at this point....

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61

MrHibs07-1973

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 06:19 PM

Comment removed by moderator

60

waspy100

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 05:26 PM

#25 The hobbits were founded in Leith which is not part of Edinburgh even the 1875 on the badge is a lie.

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59

BASHABIGOT

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 03:52 PM

58, there you go again !!, what happened in your life to make you so bitter ?? why do you hide behind a keyboard and get all brave ?? social misfit ?? you and the ladyboy are well matched. ps dunf 1 inv 0

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58

MrHibs07-1973

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 03:35 PM

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57

BASHABIGOT

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 03:04 PM

keyboard commando, a nasty wee piece of work and always growling at other posters THATS WHY you get removed and NOT because you got snitched, being civil is beyond you.

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56

MrHibs07-1973

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 02:56 PM

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55

BASHABIGOT

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 02:42 PM

a fool squad to choose from ?? well it should be entertaining reading through all the excuses for your trouncing then.

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54

BASHABIGOT

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 02:38 PM

still no answers mr ireland ??

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