28th June 2001
I want to line up with Flogel!
Bosnian Orman seeks international honours for Austria
(Stuart Crowther)

HE SPEAKS PERFECT ENGLISH, was born in Bosnia, moved to his adopted country of Austria before playing in Belgium for Royal Antwerp - and is now set to spend at least the next four years in Scotland.  Alen Orman is an excellent example of the 'shrinking world' Alex McLeish mentioned a week ago!

Orman duly signed his 4-year deal at Easter Road and declared himself available for the Austrian national side, just as soon as he has shown in the SPL that he is up to the task.  At just 23, time is on his side, and having turned down the opportunity to play for his native Bosnia at Under-21 level Alen has already demonstrated a determination to play at the highest level for his adopted nation.  And Orman need only look towards Gorgie for inspiration, where Austrian international Thomas Flogel already earns a living.  "I know the Hearts player Thomas Flogel plays for Austria and I hope that playing for a big club like Hibernian can help me," Orman declared at Easter Road yesterday, relaxing in his new surroundings for the first time before the serious work of pre-season training starts today.

Alen Orman - looking for international honours (sns)

The McLeish factor once again came to the fore in convincing Orman to leave Belgium, the player saying: "Alex McLeish played for Scotland 77 times and he is a great coach.  There is no doubt working with him can assist my chances of international honours, it can only make me a better player."  And his new boss was happy to agree, McLeish saying: "I don't see why Alen can't become involved at international level.  while he is young I think he is heading towards that category.  He is very versatile, strong and aggressive as well as enthusiastic.  He makes decent use of the ball, good pace and arrives here at a good age.  He is certainly a player who will give us different options."

Orman has played at right-back so will be seen as back-up for record signing Ulises de la Cruz, but he can also play further forward and in the midfield, so provides McLeish with a number of options.  One area where the Hibs boss however is running out of options is in the striking department, with currently only Tom McManus and David Zitelli at the club as recognised strikers.  Hibs hope to have Marc Libbra and Allan Smart at the club soon, the Hibs boss commenting: "I think the Libbra situation will come to a conclusion very shortly, by the week-end.  Hopefully, it will be in our favour."

Libbra' s French club Toulouse continue to fight a rearguard action for survival, with the very real possibility of the club going bankrupt, explaining their desperation in appealing against relegation to anyone who will listen.  With £7m debt and no immediate prospect of their escaping relegation to what is in effect the amateur leagues in France, Toulouse are reaching a stage where they might find all their playing staff worthless, as bankruptcy would lead to the cancellation of all current contracts - leaving Libbra free to sign for whoever he wishes.