C'est Magnifique
Sauzee wears a smile the
width of Leith Walk
by John Campbell
A
BROADER SMILE YOU WILL NOT SEE than the one which adorned the face
of Hibs boss Franck Sauzee as he strode into the press room at
Tynecastle yesterday afternoon. In truth, Sauzee had every
reason to be wearing that grin as he'd just watched his Hibs heroes
deservedly earn a point against a very strong Hearts side, a feat
which many before the game had thought to be an impossible task.
There
can be little doubt that Sauzee's Hibs, without the suspended Laursen,
Fenwick, Luna and McManus, not to mention the injured Craig Brewster,
performed heroics against a Hearts side which had attracted the tag of
'hot favourites' amongst not just their fans but the media and
bookmakers too. True to tradition, however, this was a Derby
match which did not go to form and had Derek Townsley converted a
chance right at the death the Easter Road side just might have won all
three points.
Johno cracks it home (sns)
The
Hibs line up had been the subject of much speculation and most thought
that Matty Jack would take up the central defensive role left vacant
by Laursen but Sauzee had a surprise up his sleeve by sending out a
3,5,2 formation with both Hurtado and young Garry O'Connor up front.
It certainly worked with every player working his socks off to ensure
Hibs took something from the game.
"I
was delighted with the resilience of my players"
Sauzee beamed;
"and especially in a Derby match.
I felt we started the match well but lost a bad goal due to a
defensive error and it took us a while to recover. Once again,
however, we were much better in the second half and I am so happy for
the players and for the fans who were magnificent. Those players
who came in have proved to me that I have 20 or 21 players at this
Club who can play at SPL level and that is good. In future I am
hoping we can start games like we have been starting second half's and
then maybe we can get that win!"
There
were no failures in the team but Sauzee was receptive to the praise
being handed out to young Garry O'Connor.
"I am not surprised by his performance
as I have known Garry for a while now and he trained with the SPL
squad last season, when I was still a player. He has a lot of
ability and a good mentality and can go far in the game if he keeps
developing as he has. Derek Riordan too, who is only 17, did not
look nervous or out of place and he was unlucky not to score."
At
Tynecastle, the crowd is practically right on top of the players and
Sauzee clearly enjoyed the atmosphere the full house crowd created.
"It is a good noisy atmosphere
here and the players were well up for it. I would like us to
play Hearts every week because this experience was so enjoyable.
I am told I have not played in a losing team against Hearts and now I
have the same record as a Manager! I hope I can keep that going
in future!"
This
game could provide the springboard Hibs need to get themselves going
this season but goal hero John O'Neil knows that football is not that
straight forward and realises that the team need to carry the spirit
and form displayed in the Derby into Wednesday's tie against Dundee
United at Easter Road. Having said that he clearly enjoyed
scoring that Derby equaliser
"I'd rather we hadn't left it so late but the boys are delighted down
there in the dressing room. It's almost like winning when you
score so late and I'm delighted that when big Derek Townsley touched
the ball back to me I was able to keep it down and on target.
Is that Alen Orman in the crowd!!??
(sns)
As
for their goal it was a pity we had to lose it but I was spilt between
two of their players for the marking at the goal and I just couldn't
get to Stevie Fulton in time to stop him heading the ball back into
the area. My initial reaction was that McKenna was offside but
the way he struck it and the bounce it took there can be no blame on
Nick."
Even
more responsibility than usual had fallen on the Captain's shoulders,
given Hibs' makeshift team and the fact that two very young strikers
had taken part but O'Neil was full of praise for the kids.
"Garry and Derek score goals for fun in the Under 21's and Under 18's
so I knew they'd be OK and I agree 100% with the Managers decision to
play them. Neither looked out of place, especially Garry who
played the whole game and definitely looked the part, showing great
maturity in what is a very intimidating atmosphere if you're not used
to it.
There
was much to encourage the Hibs support who were, as ever, magnificent
throughout and even Craig Levein had good things to say about the Hibs
performance. Although disappointed his side didn't win, despite
being clear favourites, Levein said
"Hibs pushed men forward at every
opportunity to try and get an equaliser which meant we had to sit
pretty deep. The space left was not exploited because we either
tried or were forced to try making the killer pass instead of working
the ball
forward methodically"
Recognition, I feel, of the fact that the midfield worked until it
dropped and at the end of the game it was hardly surprising that
Brebner, who would have died for the jersey in that 90 minutes, O'Neil
and Arpinon trooped off happy but exhausted.
Much to encourage then and a real hope that Wednesday will see Hibs
win a game for Sauzee. If they do I just cannot wait to see how
much wider that smile can get!
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