Hibs boss warns new keeper

Published on Monday 5 January 2009 08:48

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen today warned new signing Grzegorz Szamotulski he'll struggle to oust Yves Ma-Kalambay following the young Belgian goalkeeper's derby day performance.

Paatelainen hopes the necessary paperwork will be cleared this week to free the 32-year-old Pole for Sunday's return clash between the Capital rivals in the Cup at Easter Road.

But, while happy to have finally ended his long search for an experienced goalkeeper, Paatelainen was equally delighted with Ma-Kalambay's display during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Tynecastle.

He said: "Yves was fantastic, he came and collected crosses, he had a couple of saves to make and he looked very sharp. That's exactly the response I wanted. I want three high quality goalkeepers (Andy McNeil being the third] fighting for that one place.

"In training and when selected for matches they must push themselves to do well, to improve and that way everyone gets to benefit."

Six days before Hearts' visit Paatelainen was reluctant to start debating his line-up for Sunday but on the goalkeeping situation he said: "Whenever someone performs so well it would be unfair to leave him out.

"We'll see who plays on Sunday but Yves certainly did not do himself any harm."

Ma-Kalambay himself insisted he's looking forward to battling it out with Szamotulski and McNeil for the gloves, revealing he's just delighted the speculation which has surrounded Hibs' goalkeeping situation has finally been resolved.

The former Chelsea youngster, who clocked up his 50th appearance for Hibs, said: "To be fair, it's not been that easy with all that's been said about Andy and me and signing another goalkeeper.

"Now we have and we can see what is going to happen. I will be the first to wish Grzegorz all the best and make him welcome, we are team-mates after all. But it is all about challenges and it will be a challenge for Andy and me to step up our games which will be beneficial for us and the team."

Szamotulski's arrival, however, means the No.1 jersey at Easter Road will still remain vacant with the former Dundee United star opting to wear No.13 while Ma-Kalambay favours No.50 and McNeil No.21.

Paatelainen said: "The No.1 jersey was available but Grzegorz prefers No.13. It hadn't been taken so he has taken it."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen declared himself satisfied to have succeeded in landing his priority targets just days into the January transfer window, Finnish countryman Jonatan Johansson having made his debut at Tynecastle having officially become a Hibs player on January 1. The Hibs boss said: "I am pleased because before the window opened I wanted to improve our goalkeeping position and in the wide area. We've managed to do both already."

However, Paatelainen insisted he's still looking to further strengthen his squad although he's made it clear a number of players who are no longer in his plans could be leaving.

He said: "There are one or two I am still looking at.

"If we are lucky enough to bring someone in then that will be great, if not we already have a good squad of players."

Hibs have been advised by the SFA that David van Zanten will miss their next SPL match, against his old club St Mirren on January 17, after the defender picked up a one-match suspension.