Time called on Mixu
(Stuart Crowther)

MIXU PAATELAINEN was a clearly disappointed man when substituted just ten minutes into the second half of Hibs 1-1 draw against Motherwell at Easter Road on Sunday, and that will not have put Hibs leading scorer into the best frame of mind for a final show-down with the club over a new contract.

Paatelainen, along with Stuart Lovell and Russell Latapy, will be asked to indicate in the next 48 hours what their intentions are, as Alex McLeish seeks to put an end to the contract speculation that threatens to undermine the work put in at the club this season. McLeish knows that Hibs fans are becoming restless, and believes it is time to put an end to the talk and get everyone concentrating again on the football.

Latapy is expected to put an end to any lingering hopes among fans that he will remain at the club, while Lovell is understood to be very close to a deal and is expected to sign. Paatelainen however is the 'wild card'; the giant Finn has seen the arrival on loan of Marc Libbra, and this week his position at the club is being further threatened by the arrival of Moroccan international striker Abdel Hadda on trial, with the world cup star available at a very affordable £150,000.

Libbra celebrates - he is providing competition for Mixu (sns)

McLeish however has made it clear that he would like Paatelainen to stay, and if the Finn indicates acceptance of the offer already on the table, it would cast some doubt over any moves Hibs may make on these players. Hadda's international team-mate, Dunfermline defender Youssef Rossi, has little doubt that the striker would be a smash with Hibs fans, saying: "After the World Cup Abdel went to Spain, but Sporting Gijon have since dropped into the Second Division and that is no good for him. If another club like Hibs are interested, then it could be very good - he is a fabulous player whose timing in the air is good. I think he would do very well in Scotland."

Meanwhile Gary Smith appealed to Hibs fans for patience and backing when it matters. Smith took over the role vacated by skipper Franck Sauzee against Motherwell, but the former Aberdeen star will be delighted to revert to his normal role in favour of the Frenchman for the Scottish Cup tie on Saturday at either Kilmarnock or Inverness. Smith said: "We were not at our best on Sunday, and the fans were looking to us to get them going - but in such situations we needed them to help us a bit more!

"They were very patient with us during the first half, but you always like the supporters to be on your side, and they have been good this season. But on Sunday they just seemed a little flat."

Hibs chairman Malcolm McPherson will this week provide fans with another chance to put him under the spotlight, and answer questions live on a sports radio programme. McPherson is one of the guests on Friday's Radio Forth sports show with Mark Donaldson, starting at 6pm. Questions can be put to the Chairman in advance by e-mail to mark.donaldson@fortham.co.uk, or during the show itself by telephone (0845 345 4002)