Malonga vows to reignite Hibs promotion push

Paris-born Dominique Malonga is excited about his future after signing a two-year deal. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

This time, the response to a shock defeat is to bring in Dominique Malonga who, unlike Franck Sauzee, doesn’t come with a Champions League winners’ medal and, unlike Mixu Paatelainen, doesn’t have more than 50 Scottish goals to his credit already. At least he’s  unknown, just like Russell Latapy was, back in 1998.

But, while the 25-year-old striker cut a shy and slightly bewildered figure when introduced at Easter Road, he has vowed to do his best to help  restore the club’s fortunes and return them to the top flight.

It was presumed that in his travels round France, Italy and Spain, Malonga had acquired next to no knowledge about Hibs before signing his two-year-deal. Not so, he said. “I have a brother who played here – Steve Pinau.” By brother, he meant friend. Pinau played nine games on loan in 2008 during Paatelainen’s stint as manager, scoring just the once in a 4-3 League Cup defeat by Morton. “Steve told me this was a very good team in a very good city.”

Malonga had already seen enough of Edinburgh to be impressed. “The castle,” he said, approvingly. Now for the club. “I think only to work with my team-mates. I’m very happy to be here. I’m very excited.” To be fair to Malonga, he’s not been signed as a response to Hibs 2-1 defeat at Alloa, their third in a row in the Championship, so much as the injury suffered at Recreation Park by Farid El Alagui.

“This is a very good  opportunity for me, a very good challenge,” he added.

Paris-born, Malonga was capped by France at under-19 level but has since pledged his international future to Congo. His club career began at Monaco without managing to break into the first team and, most recently, he had a loan spell with Real Murcia in Spain’s second tier,  the Secunda.

In between times for him, it was Serie A.

Looking back on his spells with Torino and Cesena, he listed some stellar opponents: “[Clarence] Seedorf – very good. [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic – woof. In Italy the game is different. The intensity – it’s hot, it’s high. As a striker it’s tough. The defenders are very tough.” The toughest of them? “Maybe Juve: [Andrea] Barzagli and – woof – [Giorgio] Chiellini. So strong. You have to do your best, your best speed and focus.”

This Saturday if selected, and manager Alan Stubbs says he should play some part in the game, Malonga will come up against some doughty fellows from Cowdenbeath. That won’t be a problem for him. Hibs, he said, were one of the top four clubs in Scotland, by reputation at least. “I won promotion with Cesena four years ago and last year I was in a play-off with Real Murcia, although we lost in the semi-final. I’ve played in France, Italy and Spain and now I’m happy to be here because I’ve watched a lot of your football.” By this, he possibly meant the English Premier more than the special subtleties of Scotland’s Championship, but no matter.

“This is a very good opportunity for me, a chance to get Hibs back to the top,” Malonga added.