Hibs show some life in Fife

A SMALL minority of Hibs supporters chose yesterday's friendly in Methil to register their impatience with Colin Calderwood, whose position at the club continues to be the subject of fevered speculation. As he walked off the pitch at half-time, his team a goal down, the manager was treated to a few choice words from some in the main stand. "Are you interested?" yelled one. "I'll pay your bus fare," added another.

Calderwood has made no attempt to disguise his interest in job opportunities at Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest, both of whom want him to be their assistant manager. When a fan emerged from a hospitality suite after the match to ask him whether he wanted to stay, the former Scotland defender replied in the affirmative, but he insisted to reporters that nothing had changed.

Were there any developments in this ongoing saga? "Nope, all quiet on the western front," he replied. "Or the eastern front, depending on what club you want to go to."

Pressed further on the matter, the mixed messages only became more confusing. "We hope to dot the i's and cross the t's on this," he said. "It has not changed. I am Hibernian manager and I am delighted to be here."

He claimed that the restlessness among supporters at half-time was a consequence of their team's deficit but Hibs recovered through two goals by Matt Thornhill, and one by Cillian Sheridan, listed as a trialist. Calderwood said that former Celtic man Sheridan, on a three-year contract with CSKA Sofia, was short of fitness after travelling from Bulgaria to America before arriving in Edinburgh.

"He looks a good player. The club are willing to do something with his contract. We have the luxury of having him over to see him in training. We know everything about him, but if you get that opportunity, you should take it. What we have to do is sell the place to him."

East Fife's goal was scored by Robert Ogleby, on a six-month loan from Hearts. When Scott Smith brought down Craig Johnstone in the box, Ogleby stepped up to slam home the penalty. Doubtless safe in the knowledge that he would not be booked, the big striker teased a sizeable Hibs support with an extravagant celebration.

But the home side couldn't hold out. Thornhill claimed his first goal when his cross to the back post drifted in without a touch from the waiting Garry O'Connor. Then a harmless shot from 20 yards slipped under the goalkeeper's body.

Sheridan's goal rounded off the scoring. Danny Galbraith's corner was turned back across goal by Thornhill s o that the trialist, standing under the crossbar, could head it over the line.East Fife: Brown (Ridgers 45), Durie, Ovenstone, White, Park, Linn (Sloan 19) (Martin 89), Muir (Newbigging 83), Young, Johnstone (Campbell 67), Ogleby, Wallace (Blakie 89).

Hibernian: Brown (Antell 67), Taggart, O'Hanlon (Hanlon 67), Murray (Sproule 67), Smith (Both 45), De Graaf, Palsson (Stephens 67), Stevenson (Thornhill 45), Wotherspoon (Galbraith 67), O'Connor (Horner 82), Crawford (Sheridan 45).