HIbees Euro-night sell out!
Alex McLeish's wish is granted -
a packed Easter Road - STUART CROWTHER
THE
EASTER ROAD STANDS WILL BE PACKED with a full-house on Thursday night
when AEK Athens defend their two goal lead, providing Alex McLeish and his
side with just the tonic they needed. The Hibs boss asked the fans
to turn out in numbers and provide him with the 'extra man' on the night,
and Hibs fans have answered his call with reports last night that only a
few hundred tickets for the South Stand remain to be sold by the club -
and these are expected to be snapped up by eager fans this morning.
Not since the great European nights of the 1960's
and 1970's have Hibs fans rallied to the cause in such numbers, and in
spite of the fact that Hibs chances of success in the tournament are being
roundly written off by most 'experts' the fans, at least, appear to
believe that this side is capable of matching if not surpassing the feats
of their predecessors in the green and white. AEK will prove
difficult opponents but then as many Hibs fans are all too willing to
point out, the same could be said of FC Napoli when they confidently
arrived in the capital defending a 4-1 lead only to tumble out on a night
of high drama at Easter Road.
The
problem facing Alex McLeish as his players return from a day off is just
who to leave out of the side to face AEK. Goals are a must of course
and McLeish is in the fortunate position of being able to perm any two
from his four front-line strikers, all of whom have shown a hunger rarely
seen at the club. Luna, Brewster and McManus have all been on target
but the amazing fact for Hibs this season is that goals have come from 10
different players in the 8 SPL games played so far! It is that sort
of form that should serve as a warning to Athens that their work is far
from over. Hibs must of course keep things tight at the back while
going looking for the required three-goal margin, but with just about
everyone bar Nick Colgan it seems looking to hit the back of the net, it
could well be a memorable night for the 16,000 Hibs fans who have managed
to snatch tickets for the game.
Ulrik Laursen slides in on Darren Jackson - the last player to score for
Hibs in Europe, but on the receiving end on Sunday! (sns)
Alex
McLeish has already written off the chances of Gary Smith starting on
Thursday, the former Aberdeen defender having suffered an Achilles injury
in the first leg last week, but skipper Franck Sauzee looks set to return
and his calming influence will be a massive boost to the Easter Road side.
McLeish likely already has his starting line-up in mind, but the guessing
game for Hibs fans and AEK officials alike will be which strike pairing
McLeish decides on - if indeed he chooses only two of his front men!
Everyone at the club is concentrating hard on this one game, with
ground-staff requesting that last nights scheduled Under-21 clash be
postponed to ensure the pitch is in the best possible condition for the
visit of the Greek side.
While
much has been made of the behaviour of AEK fans in Athens last week,
Hibernian will seek to demonstrate that vocal backing for your club need
not be accompanied by outright intimidation of opposing fans. The
few hundred AEK fans who travel will be accommodated in the lower tier of
the South Stand, and can expect to be treated with the utmost respect by
the home fans - in spite of the fact that many who witnessed events in the
Greek capital believe such respect is barely deserved.
Meanwhile on-loan striker Alan Smart is already looking for a permanent
deal at the club, in spite of the fact he knows that he faces the stiffest
possible competition for a place in the side. Smart is midway
through his three-month loan spell, and after starting for the first time
on Sunday - and scoring - he is more anxious than ever that he can reach
some agreement with the club. Smart said:
"I was happy with the goal on Sunday but disappointed with
my overall performance. I was a bit ring-rusty as I had not played
since facing Huddersfield back in December - but I know my contributions
will improve if I pick up the minutes and the odd start. But I'm not
suffering from any illusions as to the strength we have up front."
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