19th June 2001
Wake up call for wee Latas
McLeish looks to close the book on former Hibee
(Stuart Crowther)

ALEX MCLEISH WILL BE HOPING that the book can now be finally closed on Russell Latapy as far as Hibs are concerned, as the latest utterances from the former Hibs midfielder spilled over yesterday into the press conference unveiling Hibs new signing Ulises de la Cruz.

McLeish spoke of his disappointment at the latest outburst from Latapy, in which he claimed there was a drinking-culture at Easter Road, but the Hibs boss was clearly saddened by the comments attributed to Latapy in the Trinidad Express at the weekend.  "Don't get me wrong, I still like Russell," McLeish said yesterday, adding: "I've no problems with him, and perhaps he feels he has been made a scapegoat and feels the need to protect himself.  That's only human but whether he had done that in the right way by slagging us in public is debatable."

Latapy caused a storm by attempting to lay much of the blame for his recent troubles on the Scottish press, whom he claimed and twisted the truth to make things look worse than they were, while at the same time Latapy claimed of drinking sessions with other Hibs stars and McLeish himself as common practice.  McLeish however dismissed these claims, saying: "Players know my views on drinking, they don't mix, but in the right circumstances I'm prepared to allow it.  But why Russell has chosen to say what he has is puzzling - there is not drinking culture at Easter Road.

New stand progress - seats appearing (Hibs.net)

"I gave Russell a certain amount of rope that the other players did not get, and I believe that if you are performing on a Saturday to the kin of standard Russell was then cutting you a bit of slack does not do any harm.  But if you stop performing I'll be after you - in my opinion Russell lost it after the winter break.  We would see wee flashes of his genius but it was not enough."

De La Cruz meanwhile has returned to Ecuador still smiling at the reception he has received from Hibs fans to the news that he has become the highest ever signing by Hibs.  The main concern for supporters are the international calls that will be placed upon the player, but most appear to appreciate that this is the price every club has to pay when brining in players of such a high standard.  McLeish meanwhile will be missing the services of De La Cruz for the tour of France commencing on July 14th, but the Hibs boss will look to bring a few players on trial while in France to take a look at how they might fit into the Easter Road system.

Hibs.net hope to have news of the SPL fixtures for the new season, which are due to be released on Thursday, and as can be seen from our picture above the new West Stand is coming along well in preparation for the kick-off on July 28th.