No time for psychology or superstition as Fenlon prepares for battle

PAT Fenlon cannot step in a taxi or open his morning mail without being reminded of the historic nature of tomorrow’s Scottish Cup final between Hibernian and Hearts. Nor is he allowed to forget the major part he has to play in this derby to end all derbies.

The close geographical proximity of the competing teams is in direct contrast to the wide scope of interest in the game, with Fenlon reporting that, even his Irish homeland, where Hibs spent three days earlier this week at a training camp, is buzzing in anticipation. Ireland is also where the Hibs players learned who had been trusted with the task of halting a tread of failure dating back to 1902.

“It’s not personal, it’s about making sure we get things right for the club,” shrugged Fenlon yesterday, rejecting the notion that choosing his cup final team had been a chore. Fears over Pa Kujabi’s fitness appear to have relented, with the Gambian full-back having trained yesterday with no ill-effects.

Naming his side was an easy task compared with the homework Fenlon has been set by well-meaning supporters. One interested onlooker from Wexford, whose grandfather played for Hibernian, sent the manager a poignant letter. From others, however, have come gifts that have landed on Fenlon’s doorstep with an ominous thud. Not all have been weighty tomes about Hibs, where the first page of the short chapter on “Scottish Cup triumphs” has been turned down for his attention.

“I actually got one in relation to generals in a war,” revealed Fenlon yesterday. “They come from complete strangers. I am trying to get through one or two of the books just now.”

Included in the pile are motivational works. While he is grateful for the kind thoughts, Fenlon knows that he is the one who holds the key, along with those in whom he has invested his faith tomorrow afternoon. He never considered recruiting a sports psychologist to address the matter of Hibs’ hoodoo in the Scottish Cup, which some believe will present a formidable mental barrier at Hampden Park. “I have never done that, I don’t believe in it,” said Fenlon, bluntly. “That stuff is my remit, my job. I am the one who needs to get the players focused and motivated to play. That is what I get paid for and what my job is as manager of the club.”

Similarly, he hasn’t searched out any nuns to wash the Hibs playing kit, as apparently happened prior to their last Scottish Cup success 110 years ago. Not many psychologists can imagine what it is like to be in Fenlon’s shoes. Indeed, his compatriot Dan McMichael, the last Hibs manager to win this particular trophy, died as long ago as 1919. Although he has been inundated with self-help and motivational guides Fenlon has not yet reported on any advice having been received from beyond the grave.

In Saturday’s bumper 24-page Scotsman Sport pull-out, the latest interviews, features and exclusives from the Hibs and Hearts camps ahead of the all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final.

He can rely on his own experience of cup finals, just as he can remember what it is like to be sidelined on big occasions. “I got left out of a European game for Linfield, in Denmark against Odense when the three foreign player rule was in,” he recalled, with some exasperation. “I was considered a foreign player in my own country! I know what it feels like.” Fenlon is sensitive to the heartbreak many will have to deal with having been left out of the starting XI. He will complete the job of naming his cup final squad tonight in the hotel, when he lists his substitutes. Those due to be stripped on Saturday will go to bed this evening wondering whether they will be the one to write themselves into the history books, as Fenlon did for Linfield in 1994 with a goal in the Irish Cup final against Bangor City which helped secure the double. It was made more momentous due to the fact Fenlon was one of the few Catholics to be signed by the Belfast club at that time.

“That was a great occasion for me,” he said. “It was an interesting move I had made, to say the least. So scoring in it was great. I was lucky enough that I had scored in the last day of the season and in the cup final. The fans really took to me after that. It was special because me going up to Linfield was a little bit risky at the time.”

He also won the FAI Cup on penalties when the manager of Bohemians. Few will be surprised if the first all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final since 1896 is decided on kicks from the penalty spot. “We have considered that and will let the players work away on it,” said Fenlon.

“But I hope it doesn’t go that far. I don’t know if I’d be able to live with that, to be honest. You want it sorted in the 90 minutes, if possible, or extra-time. Penalties is a horrible way for anybody to lose.”

Hibs are perhaps fortunate that they rely on one of the most nerveless individuals in the Scottish game. Garry O’Connor’s level of self-assurance is matched only by his capacity for daftness. He won’t be inhibited by the atmosphere at Hampden, nor will be cowed by the knowledge that he and strike-partner Leigh Griffiths have been identified as Hibs’ most likely match-winners.

“You want your big players to step up to the plate on big occasions and, to be fair to Garry, he has done that over the course of his career,” said Fenlon. “So it is great to have players like that.”

Others, he is aware, may need an arm around the shoulder as the countdown intensifies. “There are one or two there that you might have to say: ‘make sure they play the game and not the occasion’,” said Fenlon. Like it or not, fear of failure will play a part in a showpiece event which no-one wishes to see dominated by negative thoughts.

Fenlon has not yet scripted a team talk, and might not even have to deliver one. “Most of the work is done beforehand,” he said. “I don’t write things down. You gauge the mood and see where people are, whether they need a bit of a gee-up or calming down. I know I have been in team-talks before where you have looked at the manager to see his lips moving but nothing coming out.”

Perhaps Fenlon can retrieve something of use from that book about generals. It was, after all, Napoleon Bonaparte who noted that “he who fears being conquered is sure of defeat”.

The little French general also surmised that “victory belongs to the most persevering”.

No-one can say Hibs have not perservered.