Rumour Mill: Hibs clear-out | Hamilton

Hibs fans demonstrate at Easter Road after the club were relegated on Sunday. Picture: Greg Macvean

Hibs fans demand clear-out from top to bottom

FURIOUS Hibs fans want a clear-out from top to bottom following the club’s relegation into the Championship.

And plans are being examined to increase their voice within the club as exasperation grows over the stewardship of chairman and outgoing chief executive Rod Petrie.

After 14 players were axed at the club, Mike Riley, chairman of the Hibernian Supporters’ Association, said: “There is something rotten in Hibs and we need to get rid of it. We need a clear-out of the board, a clear-out of the coaches and we’ve got a clear-out of the players. The fans are the biggest investors into Hibernian Football Club and we don’t get a say in how the club is run. Rod has talked about the winds of change but the fans want to make sure it is the right changes that get made.”

McPake insists Butcher shares blame for relegation

AXED Hibs defender James McPake insists manager Terry Butcher must also carry the can for the club’s demise.

McPake said he has been fit and available for more than ten weeks after recovering from back surgery and claimed he could have helped Hibs avoid the drop if Butcher has chosen to play him over the closing weeks.

“It’s probably going to come out that it’s all the players’ fault – but you can’t blame it all on us,” McPake said. “I was 100 per cent fit and I definitely could have played a part. The manager just said he believed I wasn’t fit enough. That’s his opinion, but I believe I was more than capable of playing.”

Craig poised to be a Saint again

EASTER Road captain Liam Craig is set for a sensational return to St Johnston after being shown the door by Hibs.

Craig left McDiarmid Park on a pre-contract last summer but now looks poised to take a wage cut and join Tommy Wright’s Scottish Cup winners.

Paul Cairney, who has also been let go by Hibs, is set for a switch to Premiership rivals Dundee United. (Daily Express)

Hamilton to stand by young stars

HAMILTON have vowed to stand by the youngsters who fired them into the top flight.

Owner Ronnie MacDonald, chairman Les Gray and manager Alex Neil will this week decide which of their under-19 squad will get pro contracts next season.

MacDonald said: “At the end of Saturday’s game I turned to the 18-year-olds we had sitting in the stands and told them to have a good summer as they’d be playing in the SPFL next season. There are four or five of the 19s who will come in and I’m hopeful about almost all of them.” (The Sun)

Ambrose says Lennon told him he wouldn’t quit

CELTIC defender Efe Ambrose claimed Neil Lennon told the Parkhead players he was staying at the club – weeks before he quit.

Ambrose, in London to face Scotland with Nigeria tomorrow night, said the Lennon’s subsequent exit left him stunned.

“Before the end of the season there was talk that the gaffer was going to Norwich or somewhere else. But he came to tell us that he wasn’t going anywhere,” said Ambrose. “We were preparing for the Champions League. Even now, I find it hard to believe he has gone. It was a surprise to me because I’d spoke to him and everything was fine.” (The Sun)

Rumour Mill: Hibs clear-out | Hamilton | Celtic