Hibs babes hopeful!
Doom and gloom seems to finally be lifting over Leith

As Scottish Football enters its closing weekend and the media remains obsessed with the Old Firm, Hibs and the other nine “also ran” Clubs have been going about their business as normal – preparing for fixtures which may mean little or nothing to them in terms of final finishing places but which will be treated like cup finals by players looking to impress their Managers before the close season break. 

Hibs of course have more than their fair share of such players at the moment with the likes of Darren Thomson, Steven Whittaker, Derek Riordan and Scott Brown hoping to retain their places in the starting line up to face Partick Thistle at the weekend.  These Hibs babes all impressed in last week’s fine away win at Livingston and would love the chance to repeat that achievement in front of a home crowd at Easter Road, particularly Thomson who still hopes to win a reprieve having been told last week that the Club was releasing him. 

Scott Brown - hoping to hit the net again (sns)

With the news that Bobby Williamson is at last starting to fill some of the boots left vacant by the players departing, these youngsters will be aware more than ever that to maintain their places they need to work hard and be at the top of their form.  Although we will not see them this season we are already aware that Steven Dobbie has joined from Rangers and that former AZ Alkmar defender Joost Volmer looks to have done enough to secure a contract.  Volmer, a one time team mate of Rangers trio Ronald de Boer, Michael Mols and Fernando Ricksen, is keen to join Hibs despite offers from South of the Border, having heard good things about them from the Ibrox Dutchmen.  

Also in with every chance of becoming a Hibs player for next season is Crystal Palace midfielder Steven Thomson and if you add to that the fact that Gary Smith has put pen to paper to remain at Easter Road and that there are high hopes Mathias Doumbe will do the same, suddenly the doom and despondency which had descended upon the Hibs support, following the impending departure of a string of one time automatic first team choices, seems to be lifting. 

Williamson now building his own team (sns)

Manager Bobby Williamson, who has come in for some quite severe criticism at times this season, will now have the chance to create his own side for next season, using a blend of his own signings, existing first teamers like McManus, Smith, Brebner etc and those very promising youngsters.   

All in all a reason to hope for a quick close season as Hibs end their current campaign, debuting their new yellow and green away strip.  As always, Hibs.net will be in attendance at the Managers’ pre match press conference and will bring you the very latest news as it happens.