Happy Hibs fans rushing out to renew

The end of the club's offer to spread the cost of buying a ticket over 11 months at no extra cost proved extremely popular with, it is understood, 4500 supporters snapping up briefs, with sales running at more than 100 an hour at times as fans rushed to beat last Friday's deadline.

But supporters still have time to take advantage of Hibs' "Early Bird" offer which sees the cost of a "Top-up" voucher, worth 65 to adults and 35 for concessions, allowing them to see every Cup match played at Easter Road included in the price of their season ticket.

As a result, sales have remained brisk this week, with Fyfe Hyland, the club's director of communication and marketing, anticipating heavy traffic at the ticket office ahead of tomorrow's 5pm cut-off.

Although unwilling to divulge exact figures, pointing out Hibs will have a more accurate idea of whether they will beat last season's figure of 9000 when the date for existing holders to renew passes, Hyland today declared himself "delighted" with sales so far.

Hyland put the impressive numbers down to a combination of factors, the majority of season ticket prices frozen, the interest-free offer which was extended from ten months to 11, an upturn in results and the impact Colin Calderwood's January signings have made.

Hyland said: "Victor Palsson, Matt Thornhill, Martin Scott, Richie Towell and Akpo Sodje have all had a positive impact while fans have also seen the emergence of Callum Booth and have had a glimpse of both Ricardo Vaz Te and Jakub Divis. The supporters have seen the calibre of player the manager wants to bring to Easter Road and they have been doing what was asked of them in buying season tickets. Hopefully many more will do so."

Meanwhile, Thomas Flynn has become the latest player to be told he can leave Easter Road. The 20-year-old goalkeeper was part of the Under-19 side which won the Cup and League double and is currently on loan with Albion Rovers.