WHEN COLIN MURDOCK ARRIVED AT EASTER ROAD LAST JULY, he came with the thanks of many Preston fans who had not exactly taken to the Northern Ireland International in his time at Deepdale.  Despite his international credentials, he was forced to sit in the stand for several first team games while he gained a level of fitness back with the Under 21 side.  Making his first team debut at Easter Road at the end of the August it was clear that he had some way to go still as he struggled to get to grips with the pace of the Scottish game, a fact that he's happy to acknowledge.

"I didn't have a particularly good start. I had been injured for 8 months and missed the whole pre-season and came in to a new set-up. Since then I think I have played fairly well. Obviously that freak clearance against Aberdeen put me into the spotlight again but then I saw Alan Smith do it a few weeks ago at Leeds when he scored an own goal and boomeranged it into the top corner, so it is part and parcel of football."  After picking up the pace of the game, he did seem to settle into the team better but a few costly errors have put him back into the spotlight for the wrong reasons with Hibs fans although he's happy to take the criticism, acknowledging that those handing over their cash are perfectly entitled to stand there and give their opinions from the sidelines.  "People are entitled to their opinions, people pay money, they can criticise as they wish. I am not too interested in that. All I am interested in is to try and play well and do my best. Hopefully people acknowledge the efforts and commitment you put in."

Almost six months later, Murdock feels that he' settled in well in Edinburgh although performances and results on the park would certainly help to make things better at work!  "Yes, fine, no problems now, I am enjoying it. It would be nice to be in a team which was consistently getting positive results but for one reason or another, that has not happened. Hopefully that will improve."  Consistency is the one thing that the young Hibs side don't seem to have at the moment with results coming in fits and starts.  "People have said to me really that Hibs have not had a run of wins to date. Two or three wins on the bounce would certainly put us back up there but as you all know, we do have a few injury problems here. It doesn't help things but then again, someone else's injury is another person's opportunity. We do our best to try and get the result what ever the circumstances."

"I have never lacked confidence. Bobby signed me so I am sure he watched me many times in the past playing for Preston. I have been happy with my performances of late. I did not have a particularly spectacular start and I was anxious to start playing well but I think I have done that. In a perfect world it is great to have a settled back four or three. We've never really had that, not been ideal but when we have defended, we have defended quite well."

With the injuries mounting up, youth has certainly been given it's chance at Easter Road.  With so many being forced into the senior setup at the same time, the consistency factor has dropped as they find their feet at a higher level than their used to playing but the central defender believes that things will sort themselves out.  "Players do become more consistent the more games they play. I don't think people should have unrealistic expectations of some of these younger players because in perfect circumstances, they would have the opportunity to try and find their feet. It takes time for someone to come in from Under 21's to a first team, it is a jump but, to date, everyone has handled it very comfortably. You can't always guarantee eight out of ten performances every week from everyone!"  These players will need to find their feet soon if Hibs want to get anything out of the season, an in particular the CIS Cup and a top six finish in the SPL, but how does Colin rate Hibs chances?

"Realistically, it obviously depends on the fitness of the personnel but I think, purely from my subjective opinion, we do have players capable of finishing very comfortably in top 6 and a good run in one of the Cups would be a very realistic goal for us. Then again, with the club depleted somewhat, that makes it more difficult and limits the manager's options really. His hands are tied to a certain extent but I would just like to reiterate that, someone being out gives someone else the chance to impress and maybe the onus is on them to do as well as they can."

One player who has come in for a lot of criticism this week is Celtic striker John Hartson.  With Hearts releasing what appears to be conclusive video evidence of an assault on Andy Webster, the Hibs defender had nothing but praise for the under fire Welsh international.  "He is a very awkward character really because he is physically strong and probably the strongest player I have encountered in my career so you obviously know what you are up against, really. Murdock continued, "You just have to hope you win your fair share of headers but, to be honest with you, it is not always guaranteed because he is that much stronger than probably most players you play against. My experience he has been a fair player and I have never had a problem with him at all, he is certainly a tough player but I have not been on the receiving end of anything too nasty from him, hopefully that might continue."

Another player who get the Murdock vote is fellow defender Matt Doumbe.  The Frenchman has been the star performer in an at times leaky Hibs defence.  Unlike Murdock though, he has one attribute that has helped to turn the corner since his less than impressive first couple of appearances for the first team.  "Matt has impressed me. Obviously he has his assets which are his pace and his athleticism. I don't think he would get done for pace by too many opponents in this league. "So, those are his strengths and I think he should play to them. Like everyone else, he has weaknesses as well and is very keen to improve on those, so he has a great attitude as well."

Murdock will be hoping that his own form matches the standard of his team-mate over the coming weeks as he looks to keep his place in the Northern Ireland squad for the International campaign ahead.  With a new manager, there's always the chance that a clearout of the squad could take place although he is hopeful that he will still be involved in the setup in the coming months.  "Obviously this week Lawrie Sanchez has been appointed and Gerry Armstrong is his number two. Gerry has done a lot of work with the BBC in Northern Ireland covering games so he is very aware of the personnel available. Once again, I am sure Lawrie is a fair person and you can only hope everyone starts with the same opportunity to impress. All I can hope for is to play as best as I can for Hibernian and hope that is good enough."