Hibs' Hanlon looks to get back on track against Hamilton

PAUL HANLON reckons this weekend's clash with Hamilton will be a real test of character for Hibs but the young defender believes his side have enough grit to pass with flying colours.

The Hibees' season got off to a fantastic start – culminating in a 12-match unbeaten run – but their League campaign has stuttered somewhat in recent weeks after a difficult run of games against Rangers, Hearts and Dundee United.

Hibs took just one point from a possible nine in that series of matches, a run which saw them slip to fourth in the SPL as United moved into third place.

However, Hanlon insists the Hibs players – and manager John Hughes – have already pinpointed their problems and are determined to put things right when Billy Reid's side travel to Easter Road on Saturday.

He said: "We have had a lot of difficult games in the last few weeks, we played at home to Hearts and then Rangers before travelling to Tannadice last Saturday and they're never going to be easy matches.

"But no-one in the dressing-room is getting too down about it because we know exactly where we have been going wrong and we're looking to put it right in time for the game against Hamilton this weekend.

"I think every team goes through a sticky patch over the course of the season, whether it's two games or eight games.

"If you look at the SPL, every single team will suffer a difficult spell, even the Old Firm teams, and it's how you react to it that is important.

"We've got to show some character now and make sure that we pick things up."

Over the course of the season so far, Hibs have the second-best defensive record in the SPL – only League leaders Rangers have conceded less goals – but Hanlon knows his side will have to be on top of their game if they are to continue in that vein against Accies. The New Douglas Park outfit have given Rangers a run for their money in their triple-header with the Ibrox side over the last fortnight, having taken them to extra-time in their fourth-round replay in the Active Nation Scottish Cup on Tuesday, drawn 3-3 in their original Cup tie and narrowly lost out 1-0 to them in the League. Accies will have former Hibee Martin Canning in their line-up at Easter Road this weekend and Hanlon is under no illusions as to how difficult the visitors will make it for Hibs.

He added: "We don't really pay too much attention to all of the statistics regarding our defensive record, although we know that we have done reasonably well in the first half of the season.

"We're just interested in taking as many points as we can and, if we can keep a clean sheet at the same time, then that's great.

"If the strikers, or anyone else on the park for that matter, can chip in with a couple of goals then that's what we're looking for.

"We know that if we're going to be successful then we have to have a good defensive record and we want to keep that going right through the season.

"Hamilton are a well-organised team and big and physical at the same time.

"That's one side of their game but we know that they can also play a bit as well. They're a good passing team, so we are going to have to be aware of that.

"Most of us know Martin Canning from his time at Hibs and he is a good guy but I am sure that he will be determined to put one over on us this weekend."

With Sol Bamba currently away on international duty with Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations, young Hanlon has been utilised at both left-back and centre-half in recent weeks.

Since his appointment in the summer, Hibs manager Hughes has been quick to praise Hanlon but the 20-year-old found it difficult to earn himself a regular place in the starting line-up in the opening months of the campaign, losing out to the more experienced members of the squad.

Hughes has options available to him in defence with the versatile Ian Murray able to play in the middle or out on the left, while Lewis Stevenson can also play at full-back and Steven Thicot came into the fray as a substitute at Tannadice last weekend.

Hanlon has been delighted to get his chance and, having played the last four games for Hibs, he's hoping to extend that run farther against Hamilton.

He added: "I am delighted to be back in the side. Sol going away to the Africa Cup of Nations has obviously helped me out a bit, but sometimes that's what you need and I've just got to do as best as I can in every game that I play.

"A few people have asked me what my favoured position is but, to be honest, I don't really mind.

"If you're playing at left-back then, obviously, you get to go forward and attack that bit more but, if you're centre-half, then you have to defend more or less all of the time.

"For me, though, my main aim is to get a game right now so I don't mind where I play, just as long as the manager is picking me.

"I'll play anywhere that he asks me.

"Getting first-team football again has been brilliant and obviously it's good for your confidence."

Hibs switched formations midway through the game at Tannadice with Hanlon one of three across the back, alongside Chris Hogg and Murray.

And the Scotland Under-21 star felt that he and his team-mates adjusted well to the change in system, despite the disappointing outcome.

Hanlon said: "We went to a three at the back in the second half which was a bit different for everyone.The boys have all adapted well to the changes so far, though."