Mark Brown's own form softens blow of Hibs' poor season

HIBERNIAN goalkeeper Mark Brown has accepted that this season has been a disappointment for his club, but has found a degree of compensation in his own form.

Soon after joining Hibs on being released by Celtic in January 2010, Brown was injured and had to endure a long spell on the sidelines. This time, however, he has made 27 appearances, and is ending the season as Colin Calderwood's first-choice goalkeeper.

He appears likely to begin next season in the same position, too, with Graham Stack's future uncertain and Graeme Smith having been released. Smith, who also joined at the start of last year, was released last week "by mutual consent with immediate effect", according to the club's website. Stack, who enjoyed a spell as first-choice keeper earlier in the season, has been out injured more recently, leaving the field clear for Brown to establish himself in goals, and to make an impression as one of the undoubted success stories of Calderwood's first few months as manager.

"I've managed to get 27 games now," Brown said on Hibernian TV. "Having come last January, getting the injury and not being able to play last season was disappointing. So my aim in pre-season was to get in the team, make my debut and to try and play some games. Thankfully I've managed to do that and for most of the campaign I've been first choice."

That campaign is petering out in the bottom six, in part because of a dreadful start which saw John Hughes replaced by Calderwood. Currently eighth with four games to go, Hibs could still come top of the lower half, but after finishing fourth last time round there is no doubt that this season has been one to forget. "At the start of the season, we had aspirations to be in the top six and again pushing for a place in Europe like we did last season," Brown added. "So to find ourselves in the bottom six is disappointing, but, at the end of the day, the results haven't been good enough."

Meanwhile, on-loan right-back-cum-midfielder Richie Towell appears intent on extending his stay at Easter Road. The young Irishman is due to return to Celtic, but believes his play has benefited from regular first-team football under Calderwood. "It has been brilliant," Towell said of his time with Hibs in the club's matchday magazine.

"As soon as a team like Hibernian came in for me, I just jumped at it. I've loved it, it has been unbelievable. I don't think I could have dreamed of a better club to have come to.

"It has been really good for me. To play almost every game is not something that I would have expected to happen in January, but it has been a great experience

"It is such a high standard to be playing at and to have played regularly in a team that has been doing well has been fantastic for my development.

"I just have to wait and see what happens. I will go back to Celtic in the summer because I'm still contracted to them.

"But then I will have a chat with Neil Lennon and the rest of the staff and see what they feel is best for me. It would be good if I could come back here - if it is on loan or permanently - but I just want to play football."Striker Akpo Sodje, whose goal in Sunday's draw with St Mirren took his tally to five from ten starts, is another who has thrived in adversity since moving to Edinburgh. The 31-year-old, who joined from Charlton in January on an 18-month contract, said: "I've not had such form for a long time and scoring goals now is as exciting as before. I hope they keep on coming and I keep getting chances. Every club I've been at, I have scored goals but I get used as a target man, which I don't mind doing. If I'm told to do a job, I'll do a job and when the chances come I've got to take them. It's been good for me. It's the best decision I've made for my career for a long time. I'm happy to be here playing games week in, week out. It's been good and I've enjoyed every minute. As long as I get picked I will keep working hard."

As things stand, Sodje will have no problem in continuing to be picked next season, as he is the only senior striker on Hibs' books guaranteed to be at Easter Road. Colin Nish and Valdas Trakys have already been told they will not be offered new contracts, while doubt remains over the future of Derek Riordan and Ricardo Vaz Te.

Riordan has expressed his wish to stay at Hibs, and the club have said they have agreed with him to wait until the end of the season before discussing a new deal. However, it remains a strong possibility that by that time he will have received a more lucrative offer to move elsewhere, which would render any such talks redundant. Vaz Te also wants to stay, but after having been dogged by injury for several years he needs to convince Calderwood that he is worth the risk.