Joy of hex holds no fears for Pat Fenlon

‘Win or not, it won’t change what we want to do’

IT didn’t take long for Pat Fenlon to become immersed in Hibernian folklore. He had no choice. As the club’s first Irish manager since Dan McMichael, who presided over the 1902 Scottish Cup success, it was never going to be any other way. Not when the story goes that the sacking of McMichael led to a gypsy hexing Hibs’ chances in the competition. Supposedly he placed a curse on the East Stand that could only be lifted when it was knocked down, as it was two years ago, and an Irishman was once more placed at the helm, as came to pass with Fenlon’s appointment as manager in November.

“I was told all that on day one. I know all the links, all the curses, and everything that goes with them,” the 43-year-old says. “But it’s not playing on my mind because it is not something I have been brought up with – the traditions of the club. You speak to supporters of the club and that’s what they want to speak about. I understand but it is not weighing on my mind. I’m just focusing on the game and trying to get a piece of silverware for the supporters.”

He confesses the excitement felt by others at the possibility of a Hibs double fantasy – ending a 110-year separation from the trophy by winning the first all-Edinburgh final for 116 years – hasn’t “kicked in” for him. His overriding emotion, for the moment, is relief after Monday’s win over Dunfermline preserved the club’s top flight status. “Maybe that is no bad thing,” he says.

Fenlon might want to portray Saturday’s final as the chance for him to win a trophy and qualify for Europe at the first time of asking. Yet, in being “bombarded” with all that goes along with facing Hearts on such an occasion, he recognises there is an airport’s worth of baggage attached to Hibs’ Hampden date, even if he won’t pick it up.

Fenlon also knows that Hearts are “clear favourites”. “If we win it, it would be fantastic but we have a plan in place to bring the club where it should be whether we win it or not,” he says. “It won’t change what we want to do. It would help with the fans’ belief that things are turning around for the club. When you have been behind your city rivals for a long time, it starts to take an effect on supporters. We need to try and turn that tide and it would be a great opportunity to do that.”

Fenlon gambled in extensively recasting the side with a clutch of loan signings and several permanent captures. He can consider it as having paid off because Hibs won pressure games to finish second last.

“We took a little bit of a risk when we brought in so many players in such a short space of time but we thought we needed the change. There were a lot of players who had taken a fair hammering over a period of time and it was a matter of getting lads in, good professionals, and helping everyone else’s confidence. There were a lot of good players here but a lot of them were short on self belief. People doubted me either way but I don’t have doubt in my own ability so it doesn’t bother me.” On Saturday Fenlon has the opportunity to demolish any doubts, as well as some monstrous Hibs demons.