Hibernian
2007–08 season
ChairmanRod Petrie
ManagerJohn Collins
Mixu Paatelainen
SPL6th
Scottish CupFifth round
CIS CupThird round
Top goalscorerLeague: Fletcher, 13
All: Fletcher, 14

Season 2007–08 for Hibernian could be split into three distinct parts: a great unbeaten start to the Scottish Premier League season that temporarily took the club to the top of the league;[1] a terrible middle phase which saw a long winless run and the resignation of John Collins as Hibs manager;[2] and, finally, a modest recovery under the management of Mixu Paatelainen, who was appointed in January 2008. This took Hibs into the top half of the SPL, but short of third place and the UEFA Cup spot, which was won by Motherwell.

Pre-season

Hibs started pre-season training at a training centre in Austria, where they worked with fitness coach Roger Propos.[3] At the end of the week they played SV Vöcklabruck in their first pre-season friendly. John Collins used this game to experiment, using 21 different players as Hibs lost the match 3–2.

Returning to Scotland, Hibs played a friendly against Brechin, which they won 2–0 with goals from Abdessalam Benjelloun and Clayton Donaldson. Four days later, Hibs routed First Division new boys Stirling Albion 5–0. Hibs then played their third friendly in eight days at the Almondvale Stadium, where they left it late against Livingston. Hibs eventually won 2–0 through goals by Steven Fletcher and Merouane Zemmama, who scored on a rebound from a penalty taken by Ross Chisholm. Hibs rounded off their pre-season campaign with two friendlies against Premiership opposition, beating Bolton Wanderers 3–0 and Middlesbrough 1–0.

Results

7 July 2007 Friendly match SV Vöcklabruck 3 – 2 Hibernian Voralpenstadion, Vöcklabruck
Benjelloun
Joneleit 		Attendance: 193
10 July 2007 Friendly match Brechin City 0 – 2 Hibernian Glebe Park, Brechin
Benjelloun
Donaldson 		Attendance: 661
Referee: Willie Hornby
18 July 2007 Friendly match Livingston 0 – 2 Hibernian Almondvale, Livingston
Shiels
Zemmama 		Attendance: 3,162
Referee: Steven Nicholls

League season

Hibs 3–3 Aberdeen,
25 August 2007

Hibs got the season off to a dream start by beating Edinburgh derby rivals Hearts 1–0 at Tynecastle. Brian Kerr, who was making his competitive debut for Hibs, scored the goal in the second minute. Hibs continued their winning start to the season, coming from 2–0 down to beat Gretna 4–2.

Hibs extended their unbeaten run with two draws, 0–0 away to Dundee Utd and 3–3 at home with Aberdeen. In the latter game, Hibs had to come back from 3–1 down after two clear mistakes by their goalkeeper, Yves Ma-Kalambay. Hibs then beat Inverness 1–0 in their next game, during which Ma-Kalambay saved a penalty taken by Marius Niculae.

Despite being unbeaten in the league, Hibs were expected to struggle in the next three games, as they were due to play both of the Old Firm. Hibs upset league champions Celtic at Easter Road 3–2, although they were aided by two clear errors made by Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc. Hibs then bounced back from their disappointing CIS Cup exit by beating Kilmarnock 4–1, mainly thanks to a hat trick by Clayton Donaldson. In the following match, Hibs beat Rangers 1–0 at Ibrox to temporarily go top of the SPL and extend their unbeaten league run to 10 games, including the last game of the 2006–07 season.

Hibs then started a dreadful run of form by losing their next two games against Motherwell and St Mirren. After a 1–0 victory over Gretna, Hibs went on a run of 11 games without a win in the SPL. By the end of 2007, Hibs had fallen out of the top six. This slump prompted the resignation of manager John Collins in December.

Hibs 0–0 Rangers,
4 May 2008

Mixu Paatelainen was appointed as manager on 10 January 2008. Hibs won their first game under him, defeating Inverness 3–0 in the Scottish Cup, but lost their first league game, 1–0 in the derby at Tynecastle. Hibs won four successive league games in February, defeating Gretna 4–2, Aberdeen 3–1, Inverness 2–0 and Falkirk 2–0. Hibs lost their next league game 2–0 against Celtic, but bounced back to win their next two games, 1–0 against Motherwell and 2–0 against Kilmarnock. This completed a run of 6 wins in 7 league games.

Hibs lost their next two games to Rangers and Motherwell, but defeated St Mirren 2–0 in their last game before the SPL split. Hibs guaranteed a spot in the Intertoto Cup by finishing in the top six at the split. This was because Falkirk, the only other SPL side who applied to enter the competition, finished in the bottom half of the table and therefore could no longer overtake Hibs. Hibs were in contention for a UEFA Cup place at this point, but then only took two points from the five games after the league split and finished in sixth place.

Results

11 August 2007 SPL Hibernian 4 – 2 Gretna Easter Road, Edinburgh
Zemmama 64', 82'
Fletcher 66'
McCann 90'		 Yantorno 17'
McMenamin 49'		 Attendance: 13,795
Referee: David Somers
18 August 2007 SPL Dundee United 0 – 0 Hibernian Tannadice Park, Dundee
Attendance: 8,405
Referee: Mike McCurry
25 August 2007 SPL Hibernian 3 – 3 Aberdeen Easter Road, Edinburgh
Zemmama 5'
Fletcher 70'
Shiels 84'		 Brewster 18', 37'
Smith 57'		 Attendance: 15,280
Referee: Brian Winter
1 September 2007 SPL Hibernian 1 – 0 Inverness CT Easter Road, Edinburgh
Fletcher 2' (pen.) Attendance: 13,258
Referee: Eddie Smith
15 September 2007 SPL Falkirk 1 – 1 Hibernian Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk
Moutinho 47' Donaldson 5' (pen.) Attendance: 6,298
Referee: William Collum
23 September 2007 SPL Hibernian 3 – 2 Celtic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Fletcher 5'
Gathuessi 41'
Shiels 87'		 McGeady 26'
Caldwell 66'		 Attendance: 16,125
Referee: Alan Freeland
29 September 2007 SPL Hibernian 4 – 1 Kilmarnock Easter Road, Edinburgh
Donaldson 12', 31' (pen.), 78' (pen.)
Antoine-Curier 65'		 Nish 76' Attendance: 14,500
Referee: Stuart Dougal
6 October 2007 SPL Rangers 0 – 1 Hibernian Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Murphy 61' Attendance: 50,440
Referee: Kenny Clark
20 October 2007 SPL Motherwell 2 – 1 Hibernian Fir Park, Motherwell
McCormack 35', 37' Fletcher 31' (pen.) Attendance: 7,071
Referee: Charlie Richmond
27 October 2007 SPL Hibernian 0 – 1 St Mirren Easter Road, Edinburgh
Mehmet 13' Attendance: 13,884
Referee: Chris Boyle
4 November 2007 SPL Hibernian 1 – 1 Heart of Midlothian Easter Road, Edinburgh
Berra 18' (o.g.) Nade 46' Attendance: 17,015
Referee: Charlie Richmond
10 November 2007 SPL Gretna 0 – 1 Hibernian Fir Park, Motherwell
Fletcher 52' Attendance: 2,666
Referee: Eddie Smith
24 November 2007 SPL Hibernian 2 – 2 Dundee United Easter Road, Edinburgh
Benjelloun 77'
Antoine-Curier 82' (pen.)		 Robertson 66', 74' Attendance: 14,440
Referee: William Collum
2 December 2007 SPL Aberdeen 3 – 1 Hibernian Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Miller 33'
Clark 47'
Young 86'		 Fletcher 24' Attendance: 10,110
Referee: Craig Thomson
8 December 2007 SPL Inverness CT 2 – 0 Hibernian Caley Stadium, Inverness
Niculae 42', 78' Attendance: 4,224
Referee: Kenny Clark
15 December 2007 SPL Hibernian 1 – 1 Falkirk Easter Road, Edinburgh
Donaldson 21' (pen.) Barrett 80' Attendance: 12,391
Referee: Iain Brines
22 December 2007 SPL Celtic 1 – 1 Hibernian Celtic Park, Glasgow
Jarosik 78' Murphy 20' Attendance: 58,016
Referee: Mike McCurry
26 December 2007 SPL Kilmarnock 2 – 1 Hibernian Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Nish 36'
Taouil 75'		 Shiels 90' (pen.) Attendance: 6,372
Referee: Mike McCurry
29 December 2007 SPL Hibernian 1 – 2 Rangers Easter Road, Edinburgh
Zemmama 88' Naismith 12'
Cousin 59'		 Attendance: 16,217
Referee: Charlie Richmond
5 January 2008 SPL St Mirren 2 – 1 Hibernian Love Street, Paisley
Maxwell 4'
Mason 43'		 Antoine-Curier 89' Attendance: 4,212
Referee: Kenny Clark
19 January 2008 SPL Heart of Midlothian 1 – 0 Hibernian Tynecastle, Edinburgh
Velicka 20' Attendance: 17,131
Referee: Kenny Clark
9 February 2008 SPL Dundee United 1 – 1 Hibernian Tannadice Park, Dundee
Hunt 13' (pen.) Rankin 46' Attendance: 6,635
Referee: Eddie Smith
13 February 2008 SPL Hibernian 4 – 2 Gretna Easter Road, Edinburgh
Nish 10'
Fletcher 19', 58', 90' (pen.)		 Skelton 88'
Deuchar 88'		 Attendance: 12,087
Referee: Iain Brines
17 February 2008 SPL Hibernian 3 – 1 Aberdeen Easter Road, Edinburgh
Zemmama 49'
Shiels 55'
Fletcher 90'		 Diamond 18' Attendance: 13,825
Referee: Charlie Richmond
23 February 2008 SPL Hibernian 2 – 0 Inverness CT Easter Road, Edinburgh
Nish 3'
Fletcher 5'		 Attendance: 12,522
Referee: Kenny Clark
27 February 2008 SPL Falkirk 0 – 2 Hibernian Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk
Ross 12' (o.g.)
Rankin 52'		 Attendance: 5,928
Referee: Steve Conroy
1 March 2008 SPL Hibernian 0 – 2 Celtic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Naylor 64'
Samaras 75'		 Attendance: 15,735
Referee: Iain Brines
12 March 2008 SPL Hibernian 1 – 0 Motherwell Easter Road, Edinburgh
Nish 52' Attendance: 11,692
Referee: William Collum
15 March 2008 SPL Hibernian 2 – 0 Kilmarnock Easter Road, Edinburgh
Morais 29'
Fletcher 73'		 Attendance: 12,486
Referee: Charlie Richmond
22 March 2008 SPL Rangers 2 – 1 Hibernian Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Darcheville 40'
Novo 79'		 Shiels 90' Attendance: 50,117
Referee: Steve Conroy
29 March 2008 SPL Motherwell 1 – 0 Hibernian Fir Park, Motherwell
Clarkson 3' Attendance: 6,580
Referee: Kenny Clark
5 April 2008 SPL Hibernian 2 – 0 St Mirren Easter Road, Edinburgh
Nish 4'
Zemmama 5'		 Attendance: 13,161
Referee: Stephen Finnie
20 April 2008 SPL Dundee United 1 – 1 Hibernian Tannadice Park, Dundee
Hunt 60' (pen.) Shiels 57' Attendance: 7,404
Referee: Eddie Smith
26 April 2008 SPL Aberdeen 2 – 1 Hibernian Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Mackie 63'
Miller 70' (pen.)		 Shiels 54' Attendance: 8,387
Referee: Stuart Dougal
4 May 2008 SPL Hibernian 0 – 0 Rangers Easter Road, Edinburgh
Attendance: 16,872
Referee: Calum Murray
11 May 2008 SPL Celtic 2 – 0 Hibernian Celtic Park, Glasgow
McManus 37'
McDonald 87'		 Attendance: 58,515
Referee: Dougie McDonald
22 May 2008 SPL Hibernian 0 – 2 Motherwell Easter Road, Edinburgh
Lappin 4'
Murphy 50' (pen.)		 Attendance: 10,754
Referee: Charlie Richmond

Final table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[lower-alpha 1]
4 Aberdeen 38 15 8 15 50 58 −8 53
5 Dundee United 38 14 10 14 53 47 +6 52
6 Hibernian 38 14 10 14 49 45 +4 52 Qualification for the Intertoto Cup second round[lower-alpha 2]
7 Falkirk 38 13 10 15 45 49 −4 49
8 Heart of Midlothian 38 13 9 16 47 55 −8 48
Source: Scottish Professional Football League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
Notes:
  1. ↑ Teams played each other three times (33 matches), before the league split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six) for the last five matches.
  2. ↑ Hibernian qualified for the Intertoto Cup as the highest ranked club to apply for a place in the competition.

Scottish League Cup

Hibs started their defence of the CIS Cup with a 2–1 win over Queen's Park at Hampden. After the game, manager John Collins was quick to praise Filipe Morais, who scored the opening goal. They were drawn to play Motherwell at home in the next round. Hibs took the lead through an early goal by Clayton Donaldson, but Motherwell ran out comfortable 4–2 winners, ending Hibs' defence of the Cup and their unbeaten start to the season.

Results

28 August 2007 Scottish League Cup Queen's Park 1 – 2 Hibernian Hampden Park, Glasgow
Dunlop 62' Morais 56'
Fletcher 58'		 Attendance: 2,343
Referee: Eddie Smith
26 September 2007 Scottish League Cup Hibernian 2 – 4 Motherwell Easter Road, Edinburgh
Donaldson 11'
Antoine-Curier 85'		 Clarkson 17'
Lasley 20'
McCormack 24'
Porter 83'		 Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Mike Tummilty

Scottish Cup

Hibs progressed to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup after a 3–0 win over Inverness. Dean Shiels scored a hat-trick.

They were then drawn against league leaders Rangers in the next round, and drew the first game 0–0 at Easter Road. Rangers finished the match with ten men after Allan McGregor was sent off for a professional foul on Shiels. The tie was replayed at Ibrox on 9 March, but Hibs lost 0–1 to a goal by Chris Burke while Hibs were temporarily down to 10 men due to an injury sustained by Ian Murray. Rangers again had a player sent off late on the match (Nacho Novo), but Hibs were unable to take advantage of the extra man.

Results

12 January 2008 Scottish Cup Hibernian 3 – 0 Inverness CT Easter Road
Shiels 5', 53', 84' Attendance: 12,578
Referee: Steve Conroy
3 February 2008 Scottish Cup Hibernian 0 – 0 Rangers Easter Road
Attendance: 11,513
Referee: Craig Thomson
9 March 2008 Scottish Cup Rangers 1 – 0 Hibernian Ibrox Stadium
Burke 39' Attendance: 33,837
Referee: Craig Thomson

Transfers

Hibernian home kit (2007-08)
Hibernian away kit (2007-08)

Hibs lost several key players in the 2007 close season. Star player Scott Brown was sold to Celtic for £4.4 million,[4] while Chris Killen, Hibs' top goalscorer in 2006–07, also moved to Celtic.[5] Ivan Sproule was sold to Bristol City for an undisclosed fee, estimated to be around £500,000.[6] Defender Shelton Martis joined up with former Hibs manager Tony Mowbray at West Brom for £50,000.

Hibs manager John Collins made several signings in an effort to replace those players. These included the Bosman signings of Brian Kerr, Clayton Donaldson, goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay and Republic of Ireland international Alan O'Brien from Newcastle.[7] German youth international Torben Joneleit was taken on loan from AS Monaco.[8] On the last day of the summer transfer window, Hibs signed striker Mickaël Antoine-Curier from FK Haugesund for a nominal fee.[9]

During the January transfer window, new Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen strengthened the squad by bringing in defenders Abderraouf Zarabi, Ian Murray and Martin Canning. He also signed midfielder John Rankin and striker Colin Nish. Unlike most of the summer signings, all of the winter signings, except Zarabi, had significant experience of playing in Scottish football. David Murphy was the only major transfer out during the winter, joining Birmingham for a fee of £1.5M.

Player stats

During the 2007–08 season, Hibs used 30 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.[10]

No. Pos Nat Player TotalSPLScottish CupLeague Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GK Belgium BEL Yves Ma-Kalambay 3402903020
GK Scotland SCO Andrew McNeil 1001000000
DF Scotland SCO Martin Canning 1101100000
DF Cameroon CMR Thierry Gathuessi 2512311010
DF Scotland SCO Paul Hanlon 90702000
DF England ENG Chris Hogg 3803403010
DF Germany GER Torben Joneleit 30200010
DF England ENG Rob Jones 3403003010
DF Scotland SCO Kevin McCann 2311912020
DF Scotland SCO Darren McCormack 60401010
DF England ENG David Murphy 1821720010
DF Algeria ALG Abderraouf Zarabi 80701000
MF France FRA Guillaume Beuzelin 3002701020
MF Scotland SCO Ross Chisholm 1901800010
MF Scotland SCO Brian Kerr 3012513020
MF Portugal POR Filipe Morais 3222812021
MF Scotland SCO Ian Murray 1701502000
MF France FRA Patrick Noubissie 40400000
MF Ireland EIR Alan O'Brien 2702303010
MF Scotland SCO John Rankin 1921722000
MF Northern Ireland NIR Dean Shiels 27102273320
MF Scotland SCO Lewis Stevenson 2302100020
MF Morocco MAR Merouane Zemmama 3162862010
FW France FRA Mickael Antoine-Curier 1541331011
FW Morocco MAR Abdessalam Benjelloun 1811512010
FW Scotland SCO Ross Campbell 50500000
FW England ENG Clayton Donaldson 2161851021
FW Scotland SCO Steven Fletcher 351432132011
FW England ENG Damon Gray 20200000
FW Scotland SCO Colin Nish 1541540000

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rangers 0–1 Hibernian". BBC Sport. 6 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  2. ↑ "Collins resigns as Hibs manager". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 December 2007.
  3. ↑ "We'll be SPL's man mountains". Edinburgh Evening News. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
  4. ↑ Celtic win race for Hibs' Brown, BBC Sport, 15 May 2007.
  5. ↑ Celtic confirm signing of Killen, BBC Sport, 31 May 2007.
  6. ↑ Bristol City sign Hibs' Sproule, BBC Sport, 28 June 2007.
  7. ↑ Alan O'Brien Joins Hibernian Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Hibernian official site.
  8. ↑ Joneleit latest recruit Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Hibernian official site.
  9. ↑ Mickael Antoine-Curier Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Hibernian official site.
  10. ↑ "Hibernian 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
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