ASK GRANT BREBNER IF THE LAST FIVE GAMES OF THE SEASON mean nothing to him and his colleagues and you'll get a wry smile and a shake of the head.  Ask him if he's frustrated at starting a run of winning games now rather than three or four weeks previous and the smile will go from the midfielder's face as he contemplates what could have been instead of what is.

"If we had gone on run before split we would have been in top six but it wasn't to be. It is so frustrating that we are winning games now but it was important we did pick up after the split and get things back on track."  The fact that the crowds are not coming out for a winning team may suggest that not everyone agrees with the importance of winning these games but being able to prove to themselves, and to the fans, that they can do it is uppermost in the players minds, regardless of the fact that there is no 'prize' at the end of next week for any of those fortunate to be involved.  "We are not playing for a lot - we are just playing for pride really."

Not making the top six for the final few games of this season will be seen by many as a failure, a failure that would, along with the axing of so many of the squad, lead to low morale in the dressing room.  However, every player you speak to at Easter Road will tell you the same story - there is no problem with the mood in the dressing room.  "The mood is fine when you are winning games. But it is difficult for some of the players not playing or not involved at the moment through their personal circumstances. You are watching what you are saying and not getting carried away with things. You have got to be realistic and treat the boys with respect who have been playing all season and are not playing now."

Brebner - hoping to re-open talks with Rod Petrie over his previously declined contract offer (sns)

Brebner himself is not on that list of players leaving the club although manager Bobby Williamson has made it clear that the club would have to listen to offers only if they were received, something that Hibs are certainly not inviting.  Brebner himself is of one opinion though, and one opinion only.  "As far as I am aware, I am not going anywhere unless the club tell me otherwise, I am not actively looking to go anywhere. For the other players, it probably is important to say farewell."  Different versions of the story in the press and even on the official website have helped to cloud the reasons for Brebner turning down the contract offer, a fact that saw a many questions being asked again yesterday to try and get the clarification that the fans are seeking on the possible future Hibs captain's future at Easter Road.  "Couple weeks bad press and I think blown out of proportion more than it should have been. When it went to papers it was made bigger than it was. I was offered a contract and I thought about it in the time I was given and I didn't rush into signing it. It's still, I hope, open to come back and negotiate. We will just have to wait and see."  While he hopes that both he and his agent can sit down with Rod Petrie again soon, there has been no further contact from within the club.  "Through you guys I have made it clear I don't want to go anywhere and that is all I can do." 

"It comes down to They have offered me another two years ongoing from next year and that is fine. Another big thing will be what other players come in in the summer. That was the biggest reason behind turning down the offer."  The Hibs midfielder was criticised previously for giving up when things weren't going so well and heading down to Reading although this time things are very different away from the club for him.  "I just bought a house two and a half months ago so it's an indication I didn't want to go anywhere. And a three year deal in current climate is the stability I want and need. It's something I have not taken lightly. It is not over yet. Now it would be up to the club whether they want to come back to me."

Over the past couple of weeks, the door to the main stand at Easter Road has actually seen players coming in through it as opposed to just out.  Although only one of these players has been offered a deal by the club, Brebner is hoping to have some quality new players to challenge for first team places come the start of next season.  "We do need to bring players into the squad and not just to make the numbers up. We do need to bring in quality players because we are losing good players to compensate their losses. We have had a couple of players come in this week who look like they could do a job for us."  It's that clearout that's causing the most concern off the pitch and in the stands and beyond however Brebner remains philosophical about it all.  "You can probably look at it in two ways. The manager hasn't been able to bring in his own players and this is a chance for a clearout and start afresh and bring in players he wants to work with and think can strengthen the team. And then maybe look at the negative, which I don't think a lot of people will, where you see a lot of old favourites leaving the club. It is all about opinions but there is a man in charge and he is the manager and ultimately he makes the decisions."