Colgan plays the waiting game
Agony for keeper in delay to see where future lies

AS ONE OF THE MANY HIBS PLAYERS  linked with a departure from Easter Road at the end of the season it was an emotional afternoon for Nick Colgan on Saturday. However while individuals such as Messrs Jack and Matyús could be certain of their future taking them away from Leith that was not the case for Colgan, the Irishman still with another year of his contract remaining and adamant that he will see it out.

The fact that Colgan gave his jersey to a fan in the West Stand at the end of the game and appeared to salute the Hibee faithful before leaving the field was something seized upon by many spectators as an indication of an imminent departure, but the former Chelsea keeper refused to go that far - stating with regard to the issue of whether it was his last game:  "I don't know - it remains to be seen, I've still got a year to go but I've been told to try and find somewhere else as everybody knows so possibly it is, possibly not. If it was then It was to say thanks to the supporters for the last three or four years. If it's not and I'm back then I don't think I made too much of a fool of myself chucking my shirt away because I'd have done it anyway whether I had left or not - who knows?"

Colgan started his career at Easter Road back in the summer of 1999 and despite an early tussle with Ollie Gottskalksson  for the No.1 jersey it was the Drogheda-born keeper who soon came to be the Easter Road mainstay, notching up 137 appearances for the Easter Road outfit in league and cup ties combined. Having spent four years in Edinburgh it is unsurprising that Nick has grown attached to the city and his main priority for the future lies in making sure his family are content with whatever move he may make - he said: "I just want to go somewhere where my family will be happy. We're happy here but when you're told to move on its a little bit disheartening. My wife and son are very happy here and it just so happens that when your family gets settled its the nature of the business - they make friends, and my son is just about to start school, and then you're told to look for pastures new. If I do find a new club its always easier for a player - you go in straight away and you make your friends and just carry on, but its totally different for a family."

Nevertheless while making reference to a move away from Hibs Colgan was quick to clarify what the situation will be if no reasonable offer comes in from elsewhere over the summer - and in that respect it may not be the last time the keeper pulls on a Hibs jersey - stating: If I don't find somewhere that suits me in the summer there's no way they'll be shifting me from here. I will be staying and seeing out my contract. If the manager decides to bring in someone else and decides to play him then that's up to him - as far as I'm concerned, and I don't mean to be big headed but I feel I'm the best goalkeeper at the club and if it comes to preseason and he brings someone else in I'll just have to fight for my place."

Nick Colgan - staying or going? (sns)

"There's been nothing concrete so far - I think the financial squeeze is on everywhere, even down in England and I think clubs maybe don't want to pay players over the summer and I don't think when they can sign them until the transfer window opens anyway. There's nothing yet but hopefully something will come up over the summer."

Perhaps one of the most exasperating aspects of Colgan's potential departure is the fact that in football terms it has been perhaps the keepers best season at Hibs, managing to make his mark both domestically and on the international scene, becoming a regular in Brian Kerr's plans and to all intents and purposes Ireland's No.2 given the shock retiral of Dean Kiely from the scene. Nonetheless Colgan was philosophical with regard to a potential move, but also sounded a warning about the club making too many cutbacks and the effect such a move would have on youth - stating: "I think that's the nature of Scottish football at the moment - every club seems to be cutting back which is a little bit unfortunate. Maybe you saw today - the youngsters have done great over the last four games don't get me wrong - but to rely on the young lads for a whole season I think is particularly unfair to them. Maybe its given the supporters a lift to see that in the future Hibs will have a pretty decent side if they can keep hold of the youngsters but over a season you do need the experienced players as well."

In summing up Colgan was certain that coming to Easter Road had made him a better player overall whether or not he will remain next season, and from his demeanour it was clear that the goalie has many good memories to take away from Easter Road - stating: "I'm most definitely a better player -the experiences gained here, the crowds played in front of, the very short European campaign that we had but we had European football here, and to play under Alex McLeish meant I learned a lot from him and obviously Franck, who was a great player but unfortunately it didn't really work out for him as a manager."

"If I do move on I'll look back with very happy memories of here. Before I came here I was nowhere near the international set-up so I think its only helped me coming here."