James McPake to keep Hibs armband despite send off

By DAVID HARDIE
Published on Friday 3 February 2012 11:59

James McPAKE is set to remain captain of Hibs despite being sent off on his debut for the Easter Road outfit, boss Pat Fenlon has revealed.

Fenlon sprang a surprise by handing the central defender the armband for his first match against Rangers only days after he had signed on loan from Coventry City until the end of the season.

But the former Livingston player saw red 19 minutes from time, picking up a second yellow card after clashing with Ibrox midfielder Maurice Edu having earlier been cautioned for a foul on Sone Aluko.

Fenlon, though, defended his player, insisting McPake had been harshly dealt with by referee Charlie Richmond, claiming Edu had simply run into him as he stood his ground.

Hibs are unable to appeal the decision, so McPake will serve a one-match ban, The suspension, however, applies only to SPL matches meaning McPake is free to lead Hibs out for tomorrow’s William Hill Scottish Cup clash with Kilmarnock. The captain’s armband has been passed around this season, Ian Murray the club skipper with Paul Hanlon taking over in his absence while more recently Garry O’Connor and Ivan Sproule have been first up the tunnel.

Confirming McPake will “probably” remain captain in the longer term, Fenlon said: “He is a good leader and organiser, a talker. It’s difficult for forwards like Gary and Ivan to see the full pitch and I think it is important your captain is central and can see what is going on around.”

Last weekend’s match saw all four of Fenlon’s January arrivals up to that point starting the game, McPake joined by Tom Soares and earlier signings Eoin Doyle and George Francomb, but since then the Hibs boss has added four more, Jorge Claros, Pa Kujabi, Matt Doherty and Roy O’Donovan.

Honduran internationalist Claros has been ruled out of tomorrow’s match as he awaits a work permit but Fenlon admitted he had decisions to make as to how many of his latest signings will be involved.

He said: “We have changed the team around a little bit at the moment and we will put in the ones we feel are ready to play and can contribute to the team.

“We wanted to get players in and now we have options on the field and to come from the bench which I thought we were a little bit short of.

“We have real options all round the pitch, an extra striker who gives us a different dimension. But bedding them all in to the team will obviously take a bit of time. There won’t be all of them tomorrow, but there will be a few involved.”

Although Fenlon’s over-riding priority is to ensure SPL survival for Hibs, the Irishman said the cup remained just as much in his sights, adding: “Progressing in the cup would give everyone a lift and something to look forward to.”

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There are 47 comments to this article

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47

aaa

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 09:24 PM

As well as Lewis Stevenson. The man might not be a match winner but he has put in his time for a number of years at the club.

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46

ianfaeclerrie

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 09:57 AM

The sooner Ian Muray gets back, the better. What will this have done to Paul Hanlon's confidence? Only a year and a half ago, he looked the complete player.

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45

aaa

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 05:02 AM

Jesus, the man has been there for a bit over two minutes, has no ties the club, is only on loan for half a season, gets sent off in his first game AND he will remain as our captain?!?!?!??! What a sorry state of affairs. Atleast give it to someone who has been there for a while otherwise you are just devaluing it, those who wore the armband previously and the pride that supporters have in the club. When the manager and this schmuck are all long gone the supporters will remain. Let's stop being embarassments and take some pride in choosing a captain FFS! GGTTH!!!

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44

The Yak Farmer

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11:58 PM

THE PLANK AT 43 CAN'T EVEN DECIPHER A SIMPLE DEPLOYMENT OF METAPHOR AND SIMILE TO ENLIVEN A DESCRIPTION OF A LAPTOP COMPUTER. GAWD 'ELP US YOUR MAJESTY. GAWD 'ELP US.

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43

Baldrick

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:17 PM

I loved that story Yak posted about visiting the 'diggers. If you missed it, he told us he was horrified at the ugliness of the first Jambo he saw before realising he was looking in the mirror. Classic. As for Dood going to ER for the Killie game. No chance. Dingwall scarred him for life.

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42

MrHibs07-1973

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 08:54 PM

2-0 to the HIBEES tomorrow. A win for SCOTLAND at the egg chasing against the auld enemy.

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41

Hammy1874

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 08:14 PM

Mr Chibs.... the only blank you are familiar with is your stare.

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40

Hen Broon

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 08:00 PM

to be honest I was starting to think that i was starting to slip with the calibre of typing: spelling but I am now starting to suspect the can of mcEwans Pale Ale I spilt watching the Rangers v Hibs highlights last week are causing the keys to stick.

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39

Hen Broon

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:55 PM

Dood ...i did not think U were referring to me.......what makes u think that? I was merely casking your opinion in a civil manner & asking if U were going to the game,,,,,did that confuse you? Further I said no such thing re Hibs players. I am hoping that when Hanlon & Booth come out of contract Hearts sign them as I believe in the right structure they could emulate Berra & Wallace. Further I have no idea about the new players as other than McPake I have never heard of any of them. They could be anything from hopeles to brilliant .As for McPke I called him correctly BEFORE last weeks game......NEVADA....no I was talking to James Bond...... Hearts 10 500 & 1-0 HEARTS......i have a feeling that it will be Hearts year in the Cup.... poor show that we have not won it for so long. Always keep CUP FINAL weekend free as U never know....... what about you......fancy the Hibs this year? When U think that none of us have ever been at a Hearts v Hibs SC or LC Final it is a poor show..

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38

Public Enemy

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:31 PM

30# 11k mugs and 2-0 Saints.

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37

Public Enemy

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:30 PM

Hen Broon Aka ToTT. you talking to me ?

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36

Dood

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:22 PM

#30 Hiya Pal! How are you? And, more importantly, how did you know we referring to you and you ilk? Anyhoos, as ever, I'll be there. And to answer your other questions, I think the attendance will be about 48 million (give or take), and I reckon HIbs will probably lose about 83-0. Cos you said all our players are mince and you know everything. Eh?

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35

MrHibs07-1973

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:10 PM

You want to leave the alcohol alone waspy, coming out with rubbish like that.

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34

waspy100

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:58 PM

The hobbits re thicker than usual today the cold weather must have frozen their brains. It will be 111 after Saturday 2-1 Killie 2-0 the Jambos. Shame we will miss you this year.

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33

MrHibs07-1973

Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:26 PM

Ethel Brigade. What a prize plumb you are. Sorry Yak Farmer, i just had to get that in before i BLANK THE PLANKS. GGTTH

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