Difficult game please
Nothing would please Nick Colgan
more
(John Campbell)
A PACKED TO THE RAFTERS
EASTER ROAD will provide Hibs with the best possible springboard in their
attempts to pull back a two goal deficit on AEK Athens on Thursday night.
Keeper Nick Colgan feels the crowd have a big role to play and is
encouraging them to create enough noise to unsettle the Greeks.
Nick Colgan (sns)
"After last week's
disappointments in Athens, we are very much looking forward to playing in
front of a full house here at Easter Road. It's exciting for the
players, what with the new West Stand and everything and as our form in
recent weeks has seen us capable of scoring a good few goals we are hoping
to maintain that trend."
Colgan was quick to acknowledge that the
Greeks will be a tough nut to crack and that they will defend their two goal
advantage from the word go whilst hoping for the away goal which might
finish the tie. "Of course whilst trying to win
the game we have to guard against them scoring as it would take an
astronomical effort on our part to score four in reply. Personally,
I'm hoping I wont be mentioned too much in commentary as that will mean
we're firmly in their half!
That's the way I'd like it
to be but they looked very good on the counter attack last week and so we'll
have to guard against that. We have 90 minutes to get the two goals to
take the tie into extra time and so we hope the fans can be patient as we
know we have to be patient on the park."
Trying not to concede a goal is of
paramount importance but Nick is looking for a difficult game as he sees
that as a good sign! "For a goalkeeper, the most
difficult games are the ones where you don't have much to do and so you have
to do what an old coach of mine used to say and that is to keep on telling
yourself you're going to have something to do in the next couple of
minutes."
In truth, the chances of Colgan being a
spectator for much of the game are pretty remote because the Greeks will
break forward at every opportunity. Some consolation is gained from a
poor away wins record in European ties but the fact that they've played
fifty odd such away ties is testimony to their vast experience at this level
and should not be ignored as a significant factor.
"We're obviously hoping
for an early goal but the longer the game goes on and we haven't scored then
the more we will have to push forward and the more exposed we may become at
the back as a result but we strongly feel we've got the ability to win this
game and we'll be going for it. If it doesn't happen quickly then the
patience factor comes in and we know the fans will stay right behind us."
AEK arrive in Edinburgh (sns)
Obviously the keeper felt that the fans
could be the proverbial extra man. "I've watched
a bit of Greek football on Eurosport and the fans always seem to be a
running track away from the pitch whilst at Easter Road they're right on top
of you and although we haven't yet played in front of a full house with the
new set up we know that in the past when the Old Firm or Hearts are here the
atmosphere is superb so we're hoping it might just unsettle the AEK players"
Manager Alex McLeish had earlier been
emphasising just what an effect the weather in Greece had had on his men in
the first leg and Colgan was quick to point out it might just be a factor in
Edinburgh too. "Some of the lads are praying for snow"
he quipped; "in the hope that the AEK players
end up having to wear gloves and the like and that adds to their
difficulties as we're told they don't travel all that well. All joking
apart though, we all realise its a tall order but we'll be giving our very
best for the Club"
This is a momentous occasion for everyone
connected with the Club and a full house gives the chance for Hibs to make a
positive mark on Europe. Amongst those watching will be actor Dougray
Scott who travelled with the team last week to watch the away tie and who,
on the Big Breakfast television show on Wednesday morning answered the
question "Would you like
to win an Oscar" with the rousing words "I'd
rather see Hibs win the League and I'll be there on Thursday to cheer them
on in Europe" You and more than 17,000 others Dougray!
Dougray in Athens with Messageboard
regulars LIxx and Alison6_2 (Hibs.Net)
There is a real sense that Hibs can overcome
the two goal deficit over the ninety minutes and might just go on to win the
tie outright in extra time but whatever happens it promises to be another
one of those magical European nights at Easter Road. |
