6th June 2001
Hibs set for four-match Tour-de-France! 
Lorient base for McLeish's men
(Stuart Crowther)

HIBERNIAN HAVE CONFIRMED that the club is to replace their cancelled pre-season tour of Canada with an equally attractive trip that will appeal to many more fans, a week-long stay in France.

Four games will be played between July 14th and 21st, the first a friendly against Franck Sauzee's former club Olympique Marseille before the McLeish takes his side into a mini-tournament with games on the 17th against Lorient, 19th when they face opposition yet to be confirmed, and finally on the 21st when Hibernian will face Guingcamp.  The club will be based in Lorient throughout, arriving in France on Friday 13th July.

Sauzee - facing old club (sns)

The opposition to be confirmed are likely to be a French 3rd Division club, with that game NOT being part of the 3-team tournament.  Hibs managing director Rod Petrie, who is expected to fly to France tomorrow for talks about the future of Marc Libbra, said today:   "We are delighted to be invited to take part in this tournament, which will provide our coaches and players with excellent preparation for the new season.   Obviously the fact that we have a number of high profile French players at the Club has helped a great deal in attracting this invitation, and I am sure they will look forward to playing in their homeland.

"We have had to make these arrangements at short notice following the collapse of our planned trip to Canada, and so we have not been able to put in place any official arrangements for supporters. Fans wishing to follow the team will be required to make their own arrangements, and we would urge them to use only reputable companies."

Hibs.net understands that a number of travel companies in Edinburgh will be organising special trips for Hibs fans wishing to combine a summer break in the picturesque Brittany region of France along with following Hibs in their four warm-up games for the new season.  Details are being sought and will be published on the web site when they become available.