After having to abandone my "Glory, Glory To The Hibees" story due to my computer being wiped due to a virus, I've decided to restart it. I'll be using LFC Marshall's winter update but with a few updates such as John McGlyn being sacked & Kevin Thomson is a Hibs player.
Let's begin.
Obviously the title of this story won't truly come into effect until Rangers are back in the SPL, but the basic aim is to establish Hibs as Scotland's dominant club, or at least one on par with the Old Firm.
HIBERNIAN F.C.
Founded: 1875
Also known as: Hibs, The Hibees & The Cabbage
The Chairman
Rod "The Tache" Petrie
Rod has been at Hibernian for over a decade, before becoming chairman in 2004 Rod was a managing director and a chief executive. As chairman he has recieved the praise and wrath of the Hibs fans. His highest praise was the appointment of current Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray in 2004, Mowbray guided Hibs to two consecutive top four finished and is still held in high esteem by the Hibs fans to this day. However since Mowbray, Petrie has been criticised for his appointment in managers, since Mowbray left for West Brom in 2006, Hibs have gone through no less than 4 managers. John Collins, Mixu Paatelainen & John Hughes each left by mutual consent within 18 months of appointment. He was highly criticised for his appointment of Colin Calderwood, who has been regarded as one of Hibs worst ever managers.
Stadium
Easter Road Stadium
Capacity: 20,421 Built: 1893 Record Attendance: 65,860
Legends: Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Willie Ormund, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull, Franck Sauzee & Keith Wright
Major Honours: League Title: 1903, 1948, 1951 & 1952 Scottish Cup: 1887 & 1902 Scottish League Cup: 1972, 1991 & 2007
Current Captain: James McPake
I now treat you to probably one of the most amazing scenes in recent Scottish Football
Mixed results in Pre-Season, lost to stronger clubs & won against weaker clubs, the usual shi-bang. Disapponted that we got beat by Rangers and Rochdale though.
Aside from results I asked the board for a parent club and they accepted. Got the choice between Liverpool and Spurs (AGAIN!) Decided on Liverpool since they'd hopefully (and they did) send me Peter Gulasci on loan. I also managed to secure another Liverpool player on loan.
TRANSFERS
IN
Given Hibernian's finances I decided to only make offers for Players I wanted, put in bids for Marc MacAusland & Scott Boyd. Sadly Mr Rod "Steal a Coin Off a Dead Man's Eye" Petrie put the maximum wage offers at £290p/w, so had to walk away from both transfers.
As mentioned before I got Peter Gulasci on loan from Liverpool with them being my Parent Club, sadly Peter got injured soon after joining and misses the start of the season.
Trying to get rid of Kujabi again. Apart from that just three loans out with Bradley Donaldson, Paul Grant and Robert
Wilson heading to Stockport, Brechin and Dunfermline respectivly.
Given that Hibs have been one of the stand-out developers of youth players in Scotland, Scott Brown, Steven Fletcher and Steven Whittaker being fine examples, I've decided to promote Ross Caldwell, Danny Handling, Sam Stanton and Andrew Black to the first team
Off to a good start, disappointed at the draw versus Hearts as I felt we dominated the game. Sad news that Andrew Black's season is over after he was diagnosed with knee tendinitis.
Dundee United 1 - 2 Hibernian Griffiths (2)
Very pleased with a win for my first competitive game in charge. Raced into a two goal lead mid-way through the first half thanks to two goals from Sparky. Little worried after Daly put it to 2-1 but we held out.
Hibernian 1 - 1 Hearts Craig
Thankful to have Craig as a player, guy scored cracking free-kicks in pre-season and did it again against Hearts, Sadly Ngoo ruined it 5 minutes later by equalising
St. Mirren 1 - 3 Hibernian Craig, Hanlon & Wotherpoon
What a win, usually have difficulty winning against St. Mirren but goals from Craig (free-kick again), Hanlon & Spoony guarenteed the win.
Hibernian 2 - 0 St. Johnstone Hanlon, Griffiths
I am struggling now to pick a player of the month, so many players doing really well. Lovely headed goal by Hanlon and a typical Sparky break-away ensured we beat the farmers from Perth
Scottish League Cup Stenhousemuir 0 - 1 Hibernian Caldwell
Although I played most my youth team with a few experienced players like McPake and Cairney, I was disappointed. The first half didn't have a single highlight after kick-off. 2nd half highlight was made up of Stenny corners and a long ball to Caldwell (who even I thought was offside at the time) which he then cooly tucked past the keeper. Disappointed but a win is a win. Got Inverness in the next round.
Getting a nosebleed just looking at the table, stand comefortably atop of the pile with 10 points and quite a decent goal difference. Hopefully the next game against Celtic doesn't bring us back down to Earth with an almighty crash. Still very early in season but very happy with the first month. Injuries are becoming a worry. Thomson, Gulasci, Done, Stanton & Black all injured.
Once again since Rodders won't give any wage to offer (£120p/w at Key Player!) I can't sign anyone unless it's a loan with no wage needed. Scratch that I can't sign anyone at all. Desperately need a CB, looks like I'll have to promote Ryan Baptie to the first team incase Hanlon or McPake get injured/suspended.
So in short, in the words of Tom Hardy in the film Bronson, WE AIN'T SIGNED NO ONE! I'm not joking. Not a soul, EVER! (This month anyway).
OUT
Few more youth players loaned out is all we've done. Still haven't released Kujabi, seems to be the only option since no one wants him.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Liam Craig
After getting a serious migrane trying to decide this, I decided to name Liam Craig as Hibs player of the month. He's been superb, tucking away two cracking free-kicks and providing 3 assists
Oh and here's the tactics I'm using, someone was bound to ask eventually.
Positions usually stay the same, depending on fitness I'll move the AMC into ST if we don't have one fit. Player roles a adjusted according to the player playing.
Winning streak goes on Remain top of the table Through to next round of League Cup
Celtic 0 - 0 Hibernian
Lucky to draw this one, we were absolutely dominated. Celtic had 26 shots with 9 on target whilst we only had 2 shots with both of them being off target. Celtic also had 64% possession. Wasn't made any easier after James McPake got sent off.
International Break Friendly
Hibernian 1 - 2 Burnley Deegan
A sort of habit I've come into when we have a gap between league games of 14 days or longer. I set up a friendly on the 7 day mark. Thought we could beat Burnley as they were struggling at the bottom of the Championship. However with key players like Griffiths, Hanlon and McPake being on international duty we were only just defeated.
Hibernian 2 - 1 Kilmarnock Deegan & Yesil
The run goes on. Dominated Killie and should've won by more. Was looking to be a 1-1 draw before on-loan Samed Yesil powered a shot into the net in the 86th minute.
Hibernian 2 - 1 Inverness CT Griffiths & Hanlon
Starting to question if it's Hibs I've taken over, usually at the other end of the table struggling for draws. Happy with a result against a difficult Caley side, especially since they took the lead in the 2nd minute.
Scottish League Cup 3rd Round
Hibernian 2 - 1 Inverness CT
Repeat performance and result from 3 days prior. Would like to win the League Cup as it does add a slight bit of money into the transfer kitty. Even though for some reason you don't qualify for Europe by winning the League Cup like you do in England.
Happy with our performances in September. However despite the results the Board Confidence update came back with the board apparently not happy at the team not playing attacking football..... I think Rodders if having difficulty seeing past the £ signs in his eyes.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm having 2nd thoughts about Kujabi, he put in two class performances against Caley and set up Griffiths in the LC game with a beautiful free-kick from inside our own half.
Hopefully a certain Mr. Darran Donald isn't lurking in the top section of the RD stand during our next game against Aberdeen at Pittodrie....
Still top of the pile but Celtic are making up ground after their poor start. I don't expect this to last and eventually Celtic WILL break away. For now I'll enjoy everything about being top of the table... except the altitude sickness.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Leigh Griffiths
Decided to name Sparky as the Hibs Player of the Month, was a close decision between him and Hanlon. Sparky's been on fire with goals in both games against Caley as well as numerous assists.
Lee Bowyer gave Aberdeen a 2 - 0 lead in 10 minutes. laid into the team during half-time and they wen't out and dominated Aberdeen restricting them to long shots. Taiwo with a header and Griffiths stole the ball off COnsidine before round Langfield and tapping it home
Lovely performance by the boys. Absolutely dominiated Dundee and should've won by more.
International Break Friendly
Hamilton 1 - 3 Hibernian Yesil, Handling & Bateson (O.G.)
Good result with key players away on duty
Ross County 1 - 3 Hibernian Wotherspoon, Handling & Craig
Another strong spirited performance from the boys today. Mistake by Williams made it 2-1 but Craig tucked the ball past the keeper on the end of a delightful cross from young midfielder Jamie Beaton to make it 3-1
Motherwell 1 - 2 Hibernian Wotherspoon, Cairney
Can count myself lucky here. Last minute winner from the returning Paul Cairney, and the fact that Motherwell had key players like McFadden, Hidgon, Hateley & Hutchinson injured.
Superb fightback from the boys after going 2-0 down in 20 minutes. Cairney grabbed his first before half-time then his second 5 minutes from full-time. A well placed Hanlon header from a corner (which we are beast at) send us through to the semi's where we will play..... Dundee. Good news aswell is that Partick Thistle and St. Johnstone are the other fixture. Let's just say, barring injuries, suspensions & ****-ups... I'm feeling pretty confident the League Cup will be coming back to Easter Road... hopefully the Scottish Cup will follow.
This just keeps getting more interesting. Each game I fear the streak will end (beginning to sound like The Undertaker) but we come away with a good performance and a result to boot. Only downside to this month was my falling out with Shefki Kuqi.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
David Wotherspoon
Spoony played his heart out this month. Always in amoungst the action, set most the goals up and grabbed a few himself. Concerned since he refuses to sign a new contract.
Still top of the League and Undefeated. Kujabi is gone
Hibernian 0 - 0 St Mirren
Slightly disappointed, felt we could win this game as St Mirren had the likes of McLean & Goodwin inured, didn't help that Caley & Celtic are right behind us (everyone else is at least 10 points behind Celtic)
Hibernian 1 - 0 Dundee United Semedo
Again disappointed, took a 89th minute tap-in by loanee Semedo after the keeper blocked Griffiths.
Dundee 1 - 1 Hibernian Yesil
Was beginning to look like a shakey month. Doesn't help that ICT and Celtic both won
Hibernian 2 - 1 Aberdeen McGivern & Griffiths
A satesfying win over the sheep. Lovely headed McGivern goal from a corner. Young Cammy Smith equalised before Clangers showed his true skill and rolled the ball straight to Griffiths who lobbed him from outside the both. How 'bout dem apples stonecold? (H)
St. Johnstone 2 - 2 Hibernian
3rd draw in what was a really nerve-racking game. Cairney and Griffiths put us 2 - 0 up beofre the team switched off in the final 30 minutes and conceded two Rown Vine goals
Was worried that the team may start to crack but we're still top and still undefeated. To say I'm shocked is an understatement, I'm lucky if I go on unbeaten runs with the big clubs never mind Hibs
The streak continues (Beginning to feel like The Undertaker)
Scottish Cup 4th Round
Hibernian 3 - 1 Elgin City Griffiths, Caldwell & Baptie
The youth team (with a few first-team faces) put in a good performance. Off to a flyer by Sparky who cooly lobbed the keeper. Caldwell with a bullet shot. Elgin got 1 back before Ryan Baptie headed in a corner on his professional debut.
What more can you say, amazing performance (Especially since the scoreline is usually the other way round when I play Motherwell.
Kilmarnock 2 - 2 Hibernian Griffiths (2)
Slightly disappointed, took the lead twice and gave it away twice. Although I thought we did good despite Gary Deegan getting sent off on 31 minutes
Hibernian 0 - 0 Ross County
Bore performance, bore draw. Unsurprising since I rested key players for the game versus Celtic in tree days
Hibernian 1 - 0 Celtic Griffiths
Sparky finding his form, constant threat to the Celtic defence and should've had more than 1 goal but was caught offside.
Sorry guys but I kind of forgot to take a screenshot of the League table at the end of the month, as I was doing College revision whilst playing. :S
We were on 47 points at the end of the month with Celtic behind us on 38.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Leigh Griffiths
Been absolutely phenominal (do do, do do do) this month. Scored in nearly every game and was a nightmare for defences. Really hope in January we can work it out to get him and McGivern here full time.
Fell behind a bit so the catch up begins. Please note that in my game I am in the middle of March and completely forgot to take League Table screenshots for January and February. We're still first but Celtic have cut the gap to 4 points.
JANUARY
The unbeaten run goes on & on Into the final of the League Cup
Hearts 0 - 1 Hibernian Grfffiths
A win over your local rival is very pleasing (even if they are a bunch of tramps). Were lucky to win, early lead and then battered for 85 minutes. Still, a win is a win is a win.
A friendly game to keep the youngster and players not called up on their toes
International Break Friendly Hibernian 4 - 0 Stirling Uni Handling (2), Stanton & Cairney
Same as above
Hibernian 1 - 1 Dundee Griffiths
Nice to see Sparky's form continue but we seem to be slipping.
Aberdeen 0 - 0 Hibernian
Dominated the game but were terrible in the final third. Even the board complain about the lack of attacking football.
League Cup Semi Final Hibernian 2 - 0 Dundee Deegan & Griffiths
Happy to be into the final. With automatic experience on having the chance to win a cup without using a team that dominates easily is quite a feat, just have to get past partick Thistle
As mentioned there will be no League Table screenies
Form seems to have dipped a bit but we're still top. Next month looks like ****, major fixture congestion.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Leigh Griffiths
Only player to make an impact even though we only played 3 proper fixtures.
Sorry for the lack of updates guys, College exams are creeping up and the coursework is piling up so I've not had much time to play. Will try and get a few updates up soon
A really good result and happy to see different goalscorers for all goals, bit concerend about the leaky defence though
Scottish Cup 5th Round Replay
Falkirk 2 - 2 Hibernian (Hibs win 4-3 on penalties) Robertson and Craig
Not a good sign struggling against lesser league opposition. Went into extra-time at 1-1 and they score immediately in extra-time, thankfully the ever helpful Liam Craig sinks a free-kick to take it to penalties which we won 4-3 on. Got St. Mirren in the next round
St. Mirren 0 - 0 Hibernian
Not good, starting to get more draws than wins and Celtic are quickly gaining on us
Ross County 0 - 0 Hibernian
Goals seem to have dried up. Very angry though at this result as we got a 90th minute goal chalked off
Dundee United 0 - 1 Hibernian
Hussah! A win, a very lucky win but a win non the less. They battered us for 90 minutes. We get a breakaway and Sparky is hacked down in the box, Sparky comfortabley converts the penalty.
Hibernian 0 - 0 Kilmarnock
Guess I got ahead of myself eh? Still unbeaten but Celtic have really cut the gap.
No screenie of the table this month as I forgot, DEAL WITH IT!
Player of the Month
Paul Hanlon
Was close between Hanlon and McPake, they saved our bacon so many times this month and hada lot more contribution than anyone else. Hanlon has especially improved after I changed his focus in training to marking, which was a lowly 10 before, now a 12 and he's still got plenty time for improvement.
Oh yeah, completely forgot to mention, we singed Dutchman Dominique van Dijk during the Janurary window and sent Robert Wilson out on loan.
Looking forward to March as I'm eager to see if we get any youth candidates with good potential.
Through to Scottish Cup Semi Finals Good intake of youth players
Scottish Cup Quarter Final
Hibernian 1 - 0 St. Mirren Van Zanten (og)
David Van Zanten seemed to forget which team he played for as he headed the ball into his own net from a corner. Celtic in the semi's..... eep
Hibernian 0 - 0 Hearts
I don't like these draws that a piling up, Celtic are now 1 point behind us
Motherwell 0 - 1 Hibernian Griffiths
Can't complain, League Cup Final up next so I rested key players with a few being on the bench if needed. Kuqi picked up an injury just after half time so Sparky came on and put Motherwell to the sword.
GOING TO DO THE LEAGUE CUP FINAL IN A SEPERATE POST
A good response to the 13 day break after the final (won't spoil it)
And so we end the month still on top, Celtic are 5 points behind us after slipping up in their last games. I also remembered to take a screenie this time so here it is.
I will admit that Griffiths only won this due to me flipping a coin, it was either him or Hanlon to win it since both were absolutely outstanding.
YOUTH INTAKE
As we all know an exciting time in the season is when you get the Youth Candidates in. The Candidates team were beaten 3-2 by the Hibs youth team. Thankfully I did get three promising players from it who look to have bags of potential
The streak is over *sniff sniff* Through to the final of the Scottish Cup
Celtic 1 - 0 Hibernian
Well, the streak is over, what more can I say, took them till the 83rd minute to slot home a rebound off the post. But they won, we didn't .....goddammit
Vengence is sweet, even if it's on penalties. Went 2 - 0 down with goals on either side of half-time. Clancy netted a header 10 minutes from time & Sparky popped up in the 88th minute to steal the ball of Mulgrew and chip Forster. Thankfully we then won on pens.
Hibernian 1 - 2 Celtic Cairney
....****. 2 losses in a row now, hopefully this doesn't become habit. Celtic now ahead of us in the table, double ****.
Inverness CT 0 - 1 Hibernian Cairney
Mr. Cairney proving to be more reliable than Griffiths this month, man of the match and a goal to go with it.
So after leading the SPL for the majority of the season we've finally been beaten and replaced at top-spot. Hurts but we'll continue fighting.
Also we have Greenock Morton in the final of the Scottish Cup.
I love games like these, media touted us as getting beat but thats to 3 first half goals, Edinburgh is green & white.
Motherwell 1 - 3 Hibernian Hanlon & Griffiths (2)
Our two top rated players put in a performance to be proud of, went 1 nil down then came roaring back and gave Randolph backache
Sadly, even though we won, Celtic were four points ahead of us by this point, so they retained the SPL title
Hibernian 2 - 1 St. Mirren Griffiths & Wotherspoon
Proud end to the season, finish 2nd only 4 points behind Celtic. Only negative to today was Griffiths only scored 1 goal, if he scored another he would've won the SPL Golden Boot. He finished with 22 goals, level with Scott Vernon (no that is not a typo) who won the award due to playing fewer matches.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Leigh Griffiths
Was starting to think he was dwindling, but this month he proved me wrong and pratically stole the show (no Tesco jokes please)
MY HIBS PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Paul Cairney
Has Been the most consistent Hibs player all season. Never gave up, scored plenty of goals and put in plenty of assists. Was always in contention for this award along with Hanlon & Griffiths
Decided to put the player of the month ahead of the league screenie because I'm going to upload multiple screenies showing the final standings of the leagues people actually care about.
Man City retain the title (Also won the FA Cup and something else.) Aston Villa, Southampton & Sunderland drop to the Championship whilst Forest, Wolves & Hull take their places
Borussia Monchengladbach fend of Ajax in Ajax's own backyard the Amsterdam ArenA
SPL Managers at end of the Season
Managers came and went, here's who ended the 2012/2013 campaign as SPL Managers
Aberdeen - Gareth Southgate Celtic - Neil Lennon Dundee - Vacant Dundee United - Lee Clark Hearts - Alan Curbishley Hibernian - Me Inverness CT - Terry Butcher Kilmarnock - Pat Bonner Motherwell - Danny Lennon Ross County - Archie Knox St. Johnstone - Steve Lomas St. Mirren - Derek McInnes
GOING TO DO THE SCOTTISH CUP FINAL AS A SEPERATE POST
Sadly I played to far ahead so the system has been reset and I can't go back and check
THE PRIZE
THE VENUE
Hampden Park
Capacity: 52,063
Attendance: 41,970
THE MATCH
1st HALF
GOAL - PAUL CAIRNEY
Hibs take an early lead as Paul Cairney heads a Tim Clancy cross past Derek Gaston
RED CARD - JAMES McPAKE
Hibs captain sent for a very early bath after he's sent off for a foul on Michael Tidser on the 14th minute, despite the commentator saying it looked like Tidser dived
GOAL - MICHAEL TIDSER
Free-kick as result of James McPake's challenge is cooly tucked away by Tidser for a 15th minute equalliser
GOAL - PAUL CAIRNEY
Paul Cairney tucks away his 2nd with a real poachers goal, Leigh Griffiths tried a shot from the side of the box, came back off the post straight to Cairney who made no mistake, 2 - 1 after 34 minutes
2nd HALF
GOAL - DANNY HANDLING
Not five minutes after being brought on for leigh Griffiths who suffered a knock, young Handling latches onto a long ball by Kevin Thomson which Kevin Rutkiewicz failed to head clear, then slotted the ball round the keeper to wrap the cup up for Hibs on 81 minutes
A true dream for every Hibs fan to win the Scottish Cup, sadly it seems we can only do it on video games, but we live in hope (dire hope by now). League Cup and Scottish Cup have turned Edinburgh green and white as Sunshine on Leith rings round Hampden (in my mind anyway)
Perfect end to the season, both cup wins and a 2nd place finish added some more money to the kitty. Can only hope we get fairly easy ties in Europa League for a bit more cash, but I'm not holding my breath
Experienced Midfielder and Former Striker join Hibs Gulacsi returns on loan and two loanees sign full-time Drawn against Romanian side Sporting Club Vaslui in Europa League 3rd Round Qualifiers
PRE-SEASON
Hibernian 1 - 2 Zenit St Petersburg Griffiths
Despite the result I'm proud of the team, on another day Zenit could have destroyed us
Airdrie 1 - 2 Hibernian Cairney & Caldwell
Pre-season so I'm not worried about thin margains over lower league sides
Queen of the South 0 - 2 Hibernian Griffiths & Craig
Same as above
Hibernian 1 - 4 Ajax Cairney
Expected really, unstoppable Dutch machine even though they didn't win the Eredivisie
Clyde 0 - 2 Hibernian Hanlon & Maybury
Same as the Airdrie and Queen of the South reports, Maybury's last game for us
SPL
Hibernian 2 - 1 Dundee Craig & Cairney
Typical free-kick from Craig and a last minute piledriver from Cairney give us a winning start
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
No one
Since we only played one game it doesn't feel right to designate the award this month
Also felt it was pointless to take a League screenie since we've only played one fixture
TRANSFERS
IN
Parent club Liverpool decided to send Peter Gulasci back to Hibs for the season to which I was delighted with
Rodders managed to negotiate the purchases of Ryan McGivern and Leigh Griffiths, again very pleasing
Here comes the juicy part, signed three players who were without a club, one is an experience midfielder who I couldn't resist offering a contract. The second is a striker who spent one season with us and could've become a club legend if he didn't hop down the M8 at the first chance. The third is a player I signed to replace Maybury, might at times become my number 1 left back if McGivern has to replace Hanlon or McPake due to injury.
It would've been a truly amazing scene if he'd scored that when it was 1-1 instead of Griffiths scoring the winner.
