Early runners left behind in race for the Hibs hot seat

By ALAN PATTULLO
Published on Tuesday 22 November 2011 12:24

MORE than a fortnight after Hibernian began the process of identifying Colin Calderwood’s successor, two early favourites for the manager’s post appear to be out of the running, having not been contacted by the Easter Road club.

Michael O’Neill will this morning occupy a seat on a plane bound for Sweden as he takes his Shamrock Rovers side to play a friendly match against Malmo in preparation for next week’s resumption of Europa League games.

Jim Jefferies, meanwhile, has not been contacted by Hibs and neither has he applied for the job. The former Hearts manager has said he is not prepared to answer the question of whether or not he would take the Hibs job unless someone from the Easter Road club was to make contact with him – “and that has never happened”.

Both men featured heavily in early speculation about who might succeed Calderwood, who was sacked earlier this month after a 1-0 defeat against Dunfermline. O’Neill remains second favourite with most bookmakers behind fellow Irish candidate Pat Fenlon, who is currently in charge of Bohemians. Fenlon’s odds have been relaxed slightly since last week when he was strongly backed to be appointed at Easter Road.

O’Neill would be a popular choice among fans but he is continuing with his duties at Shamrock Rovers prior to two up-coming Europa League appointments against Rubin Kazan and Tottenham Hotspur.

Rovers have not received an approach from Hibs, something which would be required in light of O’Neill’s current contractual situation. His present deal has weeks to run. O’Neill himself said it was “business as usual with Rovers” yesterday prior to travelling to Sweden for tomorrow night’s friendly game. Interim Hibernian manager Billy Brown cannot complain about distractions as he continues preparation for this weekend’s match at St Johnstone. The customary quilt of silence has fallen upon the club as the Easter Road board sift through applications.

Given that he volunteered the information, Brown is the only candidate who it is confirmed has been interviewed by the Easter Road board. This weekend’s match at McDiarmid Park is a crucial one as far as Brown is concerned as he attempts to make sufficient impact to secure the job until the end of the season at least. Brown’s first match in charge saw Hibs come from behind to draw 1-1 with Kilmarnock at Easter Road on Saturday.

Jefferies, his former managerial ally, yesterday played down talk that he and Brown would be re-united at Easter Road. Jefferies thanked former Hibs stalwarts such as Pat Stanton for presenting his case but said the question of him making an intriguing switch to Easter Road was a redundant one without official contact from the club itself.

“People have said some nice things regarding my ability and credentials to do the job,” he said. “But they have said it and not me. What I have said is that I have a lot of respect for all clubs. If someone contacts me to ask if I am interested in the job, I would tell them yes or no. Until then I don’t think about it, because I thought, up until lately, that I would be the last person to get the [Hibs] job for obvious reasons.

“But it seems to have grown arms and legs because Billy got the job as assistant, and the assumption is that I would follow on. I took in Billy’s first game [as Hibs assistant manager]. People started to put two and two together. And then names got banded about when Colin left, and because Billy was there and I was out of a job all the boxes were ticked as far as some people were concerned. But I never made any comment. And I never applied for the job. If someone in an official capacity phoned me, I will tell them whether I am interested or not – that has never happened. I don’t anticipate it happening because you would think it might have been done by now.”

Jefferies, who has been approached about an opportunity abroad, believes that Brown is in pole position. “Billy’s gone in there and for me, because he is the man in position, he has a real chance,” he said. “I think Billy would like it done quickly, if it is him or anyone else. He has inherited players who have been brought in by Colin, and players who were there before then. You can’t judge Billy on two or three games.

“The more games that pass by, if you don’t win them, then it becomes difficult. It shouldn’t be that way but it often works out that way. That’s the nature of the game. It’s ridiculous. You are either good enough or you are not good enough. He’s obviously been many years with me at No 1. And he’s yet to make a mark at No 1. And, after many years with me, he is hoping to get that chance.”

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25

Hen Broon

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 09:07 PM

Slight exageration to say a couple of wins from 4th....aye on the assumption that those above you drop more points than the current differential. However agree that other than Motherwell no one else has shown any consistency & that the overall standard is as bad as it has been for some time. For me CC & not the calibre of player was the biggest issue & a half decent manager will take hibs into the top half even with the current squad.

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24

RolIand

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 05:04 PM

#23 a couple of wins, remind us how many games have you won this year, of course your only one defeat away from being bottom as well. Just thought I should put it into context for you.

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23

JaimeDLG

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 04:37 PM

#18 Edinburgers...........its amazing to think that with a team so down on confidence the we are like you say only a couple of win games off 4th spot...............................I would have no problem with giving Billy Brown the chance to turn things around.......... and surely a couple of good defenders would pave the way for our midfielders to get the ball up to some fairly good players that could score the goals needed to take us up the league.

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22

RolIand

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 02:38 PM

#17 But hang on a moment, wasn't that what Calderwood done in Jan and the summer cleared out the deadwood and brought in his own players?

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21

RolIand

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 02:35 PM

#7 Well said Hammy son, you tell them mate. As for the impending appointment I can't agree more, it will be the cheap option, it always is when Rod is concerned. Now why do you think he is dragging it out, to save a few weeks wages, even Hobo manager aren't cheap (they are) in Rods eyes. Of course the hobos will hold the Hearts debt comfort blanket close to them whilst ignoring the demise of the wee team. Rod has you guys done up like a kipper once again.

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20

Tommytommy

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 02:20 PM

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19

Edinburgers

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 01:44 PM

#16 if McCall did think that he'd IMO be mistaken - Hibs are a momentum play in that a good manager could create a virtuous circle - better performance, better support, translates to better sponsorship deals, translates to better player investment. Which to be fair is the story of football - the incredibly annoying fact for Hibs fans is that Hibs are in the perfect spot - there is no drag factor - i.e. smallish debt, infrastructure is all there ready and waiting, and a place in Edinburgh, Scotlands business city - but Petrie keeps making, again IMO, the wrong decisions on the Management front. He HAS to push the boat out this time - whether he will or not is obviously up for discussion - but I'll give you his track record is not inspiring

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18

Edinburgers

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 01:36 PM

#15 - The answer is also a question - how many players in reality? I think it was both problems to be fair - players and coach. Football is a comparative game - i.e. you can play rubbish and still win as long as your oppo are worse - and taking into account how awful Hibs are most of the time lately it's important to note we are only 6 points off 4th. So I would honestly not expect Hibs to suddenly get 4 levels better on the playing level ( which is probably what I want medium term ) but they only need to get 1 level better to suddenly become a "decent" side in the context of SPL football. Sad but true

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17

Baron von Hibee

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 01:34 PM

#15I_P1874 Yes perfectly good point. some of our current team are woeful and it will take at least a season and 6 signings to rectify.

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16

Johnny Jambo

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 01:32 PM

All I can say is that, surely Petrie has learned a lesson from the last few years and that he must get it right this time. YesTott and Tom Tom Stuart McCall could do a good job but he wont get the job as he probably sees Motherwell as the better option and bigger club.

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15

Interested_Party1874

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 01:16 PM

Serious question: is it not the players - and the lack of quality on the pitch - that's the problem, rather than the manager? Calderwood seemed incapable of making a decent signing and has left Hibs with a poor, poor squad. I keep thinking that Hibs fans are expecting miracles from a new manager, but it's far more likely that there will need to be another period of player ins and outs to come.

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14

Hen Broon

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 12:36 PM

#12 Tommy....not for the 1st time you are plagerising my posts....u know fine well I suggested that yesterday.

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13

aklistair

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 12:16 PM

Couldn't agree more Tommy Tommy

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12

Tommytommy

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 12:04 PM

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11

Hen Broon

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:27 AM

Hearts at home to Auchinleck talbot..............Hibs away to Colin Camerons high flying Cowedenbeath......too easy passages to the next round(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Report Unsuitable

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