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AEK EARNED THEIR
SPURS....
...but the Hibees are ready for the challenge -
STUART CROWTHER
THE GREEK FOOTBALL SEASON HAS NOT YET STARTED
so Hibs have not had much to go on as far as competitive football in
recent weeks is concerned, but Alex McLeish and Andy Watson have done
everything they can to prepare the squad for their first sortie into
Europe in nine years when Hibs finally take the field in Athens on
Thursday.
Nick Colgan revealed today that the players had been
shown a video of AEK's win over Tottenham in the summer, and from that it
was clear to see that the Greek side have some quality players. This
and the reports brought back from Athens by Andy Watson, who has watched
AEK three times, should have provided Hibs with enough warning on what
they might expect on Thursday. The first leg being away could yet
prove an advantage - but only if Hibs can come back with a result that
gives a realistic chance of success at Easter Road seven days later.
"They look a very capable side, and
have a superb European pedigree,"
Hibs goalkeeper Nick Colgan told the Edinburgh Evening News, adding:
"Maybe that is not in the
Champions League, but AEK have played top-class opposition as we saw from
last season when they went out of the UEFA Cup to Barcelona."
It is that type of experience that could yet prove Hibs undoing over the
two legs, but then again tradition has always counted for a lot at Easter
Road and Hibs going into any game as underdogs is a position that often
turns in there favour. Colgan certainly believes that this Hibs side
is capable of reaching the draw for the next round, saying:
"If we go there and play as we did
against Dunfermline, although it will be a very hostile atmosphere, and if
we can keep the tie alive for coming home the following week then there
will be everything to play for."
Craig Brewster opens his Easter Road account - more of the same in Athens
would do! (sns)
Colgan baffled more
than a few Hibs fans on Sunday when he turned out during the half-time
break to warm up with Hibs goalkeeping coach Ian Westwater. But the
Irishman was quick to point out that this was not because of any niggling
injury, but rather because he had so little to do in the opening 45
minutes he did not wish to start the second half 'cold' should the Pars
launch an assault on his goal in an attempt to get back into the game.
In the event Hibs continued to dominate, but they will find it a very
different task against AEK, something everyone in the squad is well aware
of.
Meanwhile Hibs
Under-21 side went down 2-1 to St Johnstone last night in Perth.
First-team squad members Derek Townsley, Grant Brebner, Frederic Arpinon
and Lyndon Andrews all lined up for the young Hibees, with Townsley
scoring for the Easter Road side. The defeat however could have been
much heavier but for a superb performance from Tony Caig, confirmed by
Donald Park who said: "There
were not a lot of positives to take from this game but Tony Caig was
absolutely magnificent in the first half - he kept us in the game.
Townsley's goal was good, he struck it from fully 30 yards and, although
it took a deflection, it was a good strike."
Hibs.net
will again be represented in Athens this week, where John Campbell
will travel with the Easter Road squad.
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