Mixu hails Hibs kids

Published on Monday 30 March 2009 09:57

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen today hailed the Easter Road club's Under-19 side after they secured their place in the final of the SFA Youth Cup.

Paatelainen was at the Falkirk Stadium to watch the kids, seven of whom will be joining his first-team squad next season, cruise past the Bairns, winning 3-0 with two goals from Kurtis Byrne and a third via the head of Ewan Moyes.

The youngsters will now face Rangers in the final at the end of next month hoping to lift the trophy for the first time since 1992 while they could make it a glory double as they head the SPL's Under-19 League by five points with just four matches remaining.

Rangers clinched their place in the final 24 hours earlier, crushing Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6-2, but Paatelainen believes they have nothing to fear.

He said: "It won't be easy. It's a cup final and anything can happen but the last time the boys played Rangers they beat them."

Paatelainen, who was accompanied by assistant Donald Park and reserve team coach Gareth Evans, admitted he'd been delighted by yesterday's performance, the youngsters making the final without losing a goal while scoring 18 of their own.

He said: "We are regulars at their matches and know exactly what they can do. This was a chance to get to the final and the boys put in a really good performance.

"But they've been performing like that all season. I popped into the dressing room afterwards and you could sense the spirit among the boys, there's a great togetherness which is terrific to see."

Paatelainen, meanwhile, was delighted to see countryman Jonatan Johansson, who has endured a slow start to his Easter Road career, score Finland's first goal in a 2-0 win over Wales in Cardiff.

And he admitted he has his fingers crossed that goal will spark Johansson when he returns to Edinburgh for Saturday's crunch SPL clash with Dundee United following Finland's friendly with Norway in Oslo on Wednesday night.

He said: "Jonatan showed exactly what he can do. It was a good victory for Finland and it always helps when you can get your name on the scoresheet."

Paatelainen's squad, minus those on international duty – Steven Fletcher is with Scotland and Sol Bamba the Ivory Coast – returned to training today to prepare for the early start at Tannadice, the break from action having allowed a number to overcome minor injuries, although Lewis Stevenson is continuing to receive treatment for his damaged ankle.