Seaside trip is perfect lift for Hibs' season opener

Victory against Motherwell this coming Sunday won't be greeted by the Red Arrows thundering over Fir Park, those distinctive plumes of red, white and blue smoke billowing behind them as happened minutes after the final whistle in Blackpool.

If John Hughes' players thought the tribute was a bit over the top as they wrapped up their pre-season preparations against the English Premier League new boys, they were right, the RAF's show team in town for the local air show, their diversion over Bloomfield Road prearranged in recognition of the Lancashire club's achievement in aligning themselves with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Celebrations, if there are to be any, will certainly be more subdued in comparison but another win on the opening day of the SPL season will have Hibs flying high following a gruelling programme which has seen friendlies in Scotland, Holland and England interspersed with that all too brief incursion into the Europa League.

A prompt exit at the hands of Slovenian side Maribor, an impressive outfit despite their name failing to have the same ring to it as some of Europe's better known clubs, understandably dampened the supporters' anticipation of the new season and, one would imagine, a near four-hour journey on a coach in each direction for yet another friendly was probably the last thing Hughes' players wanted.

But, in fact, it was exactly what they needed, the chance to push a crushing 6-2 aggregate defeat aside and to begin concentrating on getting back there again, starting with Sunday's visit to Lanarkshire.

Despite the disappointment of just three days earlier Hibs sold their entire allocation of tickets for the Lancashire seaside, some 1500 clad in green and white gathering at a ground which will host English Premier League football for the first time this season, the Blackpool players receiving a civic medal before kick-off in recognition of that achievement.

It was as if Charlie Adam had never been away, the former Rangers player, star of the Seasiders' drive to the top which culminated in that Wembley play-off victory against Cardiff City, reminded of his heritage in predictable fashion by the visiting fans.

Their mood turned more sombre, however, as Blackpool took just eight minutes to nose in front, captain Jason Euell dancing through the centre of Hibs' defence and playing a one-two with Gary Taylor-Fletcher before dispatching the ball beyond Graeme Smith.And it darkened deeper as Ian Holloway's side threatened to run away with the game, Smith stopping a Brett Ormerod header on the line before a slack pass from Chris Hogg which caught Sol Bamba wrong-footed allowed the Blackpool striker to angle a chip over the head of Smith only for the Hibs skipper to atone as he got back to nod the ball off the line.

While Blackpool looked sharp, their passing and movement decisive and penetrating, Hibs again appeared laboured, lacking pace and width, the mental toll of those two emphatic defeats by Maribor no doubt weighing heavily on the minds of the visiting players.

If the Hibs fans remembered Adam then he, most certainly, recalled those sumptuous free-kicks he had claimed at Easter Road when the shirt on his back was blue rather than tangerine, the midfielder stepping up to crash a terrific left-footed shot off Smith's bar as the Edinburgh side continued to toil.

Hughes admitted: "We rode our luck in those opening 20 minutes or so. But after that we picked up against a Premier League side, played some right good football although I still think there's plenty to do.

"I sensed a bit of fatigue in the boys so we'll make sure that what we do this coming week is light to keep them fresh and ready to go on Sunday.

"Hopefully, though, this will give them a lift going into the first game of the season."

Having survived that onslaught, Hibs suddenly got a second wind, Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks happy to grab the ball from the toes of Derek Riordan after he managed to get a toe to Anthony Stokes' low ball before the Republic of Ireland striker found himself only inches from Paul Hanlon's inviting cross.

It was the home fans' turn to be silenced as Riordan found himself in acres of room to steer a precise header from Michael Hart's cross beyond Gilks for the equaliser.And the goalkeeper did well to push away a trademark free-kick from the Hibs striker before getting down to block David Wotherspoon's attempt from the rebound.

Blackpool weren't done, however, and Smith again had the woodwork to thank as Alex Baptiste rattled the bar before Euell somehow totally missed his kick three yards out after more good work from winger Ishmel Demontagnac.

However, despite those scares, there were signs of Hibs getting their passing game together allied to a willingness to interchange positions from middle to front with Edwin de Graaf, as ever, determined to get into the opposition penalty area as often as possible.

Hughes said: "There still needs to be an understanding, some still don't have it but we'll be working them constantly on the training pitch."

If Hibs had looked shaky in the early stages as they cleared their minds of last Thursday and got those weary legs working again, they gave as good as they got as the second half got underway, an enterprising run by Wotherspoon creating space for Riordan who could only manage a tame shot into the arms of Gilks before Sol Bamba came up with a crunching last-ditch block to prevent Euell claiming his second of the game.

The usual rash of substitutes, Hughes using all seven, disrupted play somewhat but it was one of those who had stepped off the bench for Blackpool who almost claimed the game's third goal, Alex Tayo finding himself with only Mark Brown to beat but the Hibs goalkeeper made a superb block using his legs.

The removal of Riordan seemed inopportune when, with 13 minutes remaining referee Phil Dowd awarded Hibs a free-kick 22 yards out but Liam Miller stepped up to dispatch a terrific right-footed shot into the top left-hand corner of Gilks' net, an effort which carried as much precision as any his team-mate has struck. Hughes said: "I'd watched Liam practice in Holland but Lee Currie also has a terrific left foot on him and I was shouting for him to get on it but if Liam keeps doing that I will be delighted."

Following De Graaf's double against Maribor, Hughes would have been happy to see another midfielder get on the scoresheet, recognising Hibs need more goals from that area to augment the impressive tally gathered by Riordan, Stokes and Colin Nish last time round.

Blackpool (4-3-1-2): Gilks, Eardley (Eastham 83), Baptiste, Evatt (Dodd 83), Crainey (Coid 66); Demontagnac, Adam (Husband 66), Taylor-Fletcher (Barkhuizen 83); Euell; Vaughan, Ormerod (Tayo 66). Subs not used: Rachubka, Edwards, Halstead.

Hibs (4-4-1-1): Smith (Brown 46), Hart (Thicot 56), Hogg (Murray 59), Bamba, Hanlon (Stevenson 69); De Graaf (Rankin 62), McBride, Miller, Riordan (Currie 74); Wotherspoon; Stokes. (Galbraith 72).

Referee: Phil Dowd.