Hibs: Sunshine on Leith would be nice but Easter Road feels like home, says Merouane Zemmama

Published on Friday 4 December 2009 09:47

Hibs' Moroccan midfield star says freezing weather doesn't stop him feeling at home as 'Well visit . . .

A YEAR AGO he was basking in the sunshine and a distinctly pleasant 80F. This week he's been subjected to sub-zero temperatures, howling winds and driving rain.

But make no mistake about it, Hibs star Merouane Zemmama feels far more at home here in Edinburgh than he did during his temporary stay in the United Arab Emirates

And if the climate in the Middle East may sound far more welcoming than the onset of a Scottish winter, the Moroccan midfield star insists he'll have no problems dealing with whatever the weather throws at us over the next few months.

He said: "Of course the sun and the warmth make the Middle East sound far more inviting than the weather we've had in Edinburgh this week but, to be honest, it doesn't matter to me if it is raining or snowing.

"If the pitch gets muddy that's not so good but otherwise it's no problem. I've been here for a couple of years now so I'm as used to it as I'll ever be."

The 25-year-old ace spent a season on loan with UAE outfit Al Sha'ab as Hibs fought Home Office red tape to allow his wife Zenib and their son Mehdi to join him in the Capital, the pair now enduring their first icy blast of winter in this country.

Zemmama, however, insisted that like himself they'll have no problems in coping. He said: "I know people here probably think of Morocco and immediately imagine sun and sand but it does get cold although not quite as cold as Scotland.

"And we do get snow, you can actually go skiing in places like Oukaimeden, Mischliffen and Ifrane in the Atlas Mountains where roads get blocked. It'll be a challenge for Zenib and Mehdi but I'm sure they won't have any great difficulties."

Zemmama's family, of course, will be able to remain within the warmth of their Edinburgh home as he sets out for work tomorrow, joining his team-mates as Hibs aim to make it ten SPL matches without defeat and so maintain their lofty position at the top of the League table alongside Rangers and Celtic.

While it might be a tad chillier at Easter Road, Zemmama believes a repeat of Hibs' 3-1 win at Fir Park – marking John Hughes' players out as the only side to have enjoyed a League win over Motherwell this season – will allow the home fans to depart for home sporting a healthy glow.

He said: "If we want to stay where we are in the table we have to keep winning our matches, particularly at home.

"We've won five out of seven games at Easter Road which is the sort of record we want. If we can win at home then take as many away points as possible then that will help us stay in this position.

"After tomorrow we have two tough away matches at Kilmarnock and Aberdeen so we want to go into those games with a win tomorrow to keep our confidence high. We must have that belief every week no matter who we are playing. Nine games unbeaten is good, to make it ten would be even better but we want to make it more than ten.

"Every game is very difficult, every team wants to beat us because we are on such a good run and we know Motherwell will be tough opponents because they have lost just that one game to us and have done really well against everyone else.

"Again, though, it is a matter of belief. We have already beaten Motherwell this season and if we focus on getting the three points, show the belief that we can do so then I think we can win again.

Although Hibs ran out 3-1 winners in Lanarkshire in late September, the clash with Jim Gannon's outfit presented, Zemmama claimed, a test of character for him and his team-mates, Motherwell's Mark Reynolds cancelling out Colin Nish's early strike before he and Derek Riordan ensured victory with second-half goals.

The match at Fir Park came only days after Hibs had crashed out of the Cooperative Insurance Cup, beaten 3-1 by St Johnstone and following hard on the heels of League defeats by Celtic and Hamilton.

Although a 3-0 League win over the Perth club had been enjoyed just prior to that Cup disappointment, there was still, at that time, a huge question mark over how Hibs' season would progress, few back then even contemplating that now Hughes and his players would be boasting such a lengthy unbeaten record.

Zemmama said: "Motherwell equalising that day was a big, big test for us.

"Perhaps some people thought it would be too much but the boys showed great spirit and produced a terrific, professional reaction. That's what we need regardless of whether we score first or the opposition do so.

"Don't forget that in our first two League games of the season we lost the first goal against both St Mirren and then Falkirk but came back to win both matches."

Pointing out that the Easter Road defence have played their part in the team's success so far in conceding just nine goals in 13 League games, Zemmama insisted that record had provided a platform for Hibs' undoubted match-winners to flourish.

He said: "The defence have done well as have the midfield and forwards while not forgetting the part the fans have played in getting right behind us every week which is very important.

"I've been lucky enough to score a couple of goals and set up a few others, but while I would like to get more against my name the most important thing is the team wins no matter who scores.

"We are lucky in that if Derek isn't scoring a fantastic goal then it's Anthony Stokes. If it's not him then Abdessalam Benjelloun can do so, I can score so can big Nishy and so on.

"It's very good for the side that we don't just have to rely on one player to get the goals. They are being spread around and we know that we have many players who can get a goal, sometimes out of nothing, and alter the course of the match.

"It means the opposition can't concentrate on just trying to stop one person scoring. If they do that then someone else is liable to get us a goal which makes us dangerous opponents for anyone."