Gary will be shouting
loud and proud
Smith won't let his
disappointment rub off on his team-mates - STUART CROWTHER
GARY
SMITH WILL NOT LET THE DISAPPOINTMENT
of missing out on one of the biggest nights to hit Easter Road for ten
years, as he will shout loud and proud with the around 17,000 Hibs fans in
a packed Easter Road Stadium on Thursday evening.
Smith has been counted out of the second leg tie
following an injury sustained in Athens last week, but the central
defender is convinced Hibs have enough power to overcome the 2-0 defeat
from the first leg - and give him another shot at Europe in the second
round of this years UEFA Cup tournament! "It's a
frustrating injury for me, but I can only hope that the lads get through -
and I still think we can do it," Smith said,
underlining the conviction among everyone at Easter Road that the tie is
far from over. AEK will arrive in the capital tomorrow full of
confidence, as would be befitting any side carrying a two goal lead, but
they must know that a tough time awaits them as Hibs will seek that vital
early breakthrough before a full-house of noisy Hibees.
Gary Smith - injury frustration (sns)
Smith
agreed that an early goal would put immense pressure on the Greek side,
who it is said are not great travellers, although that is something
balanced by the fact that AEK have vast European experience. Smith
said: "If we can score an early goal that would
be a big help, although it is also important that we avoid being hit on
the break as they have a lot of pace on the flanks. AEK may hold a
two goal lead but their away form is not that good and they don't like
travelling." The Greek
side though got off to a flier in their opening league match at the
weekend, defeating Craig Brewster's former side, Ionikos, 2-1 away from
home. But Hibs own form in the league has saw them score 12 times in
three games, and that according to Smith is just the sort of form needed
to overcome the Greek side.
"I thought the
team performed well against St Johnstone, and hopefully we can do the same
on Thursday," Smith said.
The defender, who had his career rescued by Alex McLeish after a long
spell on the sidelines following a fall-out with Aberdeen boss Ebbe
Skovdahl, will now be out for a few weeks at least, but Alex McLeish has
no doubt that he has more than enough cover in his squad, saying: "Gary
had been outstanding in our last two games but the guys who came in on
Sunday all did well."
Hibs
win on Sunday was just too much for opponents St Johnstone, who last night
sacked their manager Sandy Clark, the second SPL boss to be shown the door
soon after defeat at the hands of Hibs.
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