FEW HIBS FANS QUESTIONED BOBBY WILLIAMSON'S DECISION to award a new contract to Gary Smith a few weeks ago and less were surprised when he signed it, although at two years instead of the one he was offered, it was perhaps a slight departure from the statements made by the Hibs boss just a few days earlier.  However, as one of the most consistent, if not the consistent performer in a leaky Hibs defence, Smith has shown the way forward for the remaining members of the current Hibs squad - play to your potential, drop your wages and you'll stay on!

Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, the former Aberdeen star commented, "I think most players who are out-of-contract this summer will have to take a drop in wages. I realised that, what I didn’t realise was just how big it would be."  It's to his credit thought that he has taken the drop despite it being as severe as it has, a sign that there are still those willing to play for the love of the game. "It’s another two years without me having to find a proper job. But, to be serious, I love playing football and I’m delighted I’ll be playing for Hibs for another two years. I didn’t hesitate when I was offered the contract, it was just a matter of getting a deal I was happy with."

With so many players being released and others being told they can leave if they found another club willing to take them, Smith is looking forward to a season which will blend the youth seen during the last few games of the season just finished along with the experience of players like himself and Scotland Under 21 captain Ian Murray!  "Hopefully there will be more experienced players arriving because we do have a very young team at the moment. I think we’ll all be waiting with bated breath to see who the boss brings in."

Smith - looking forward to next season already! (sns)

Who the 'boss brings in' is anyone's guess at the moment with Inverness Caledonian Thistle defender Bobby Mann still the centre of speculation.  "I don’t know what funds are available to the manager, who he has lined up or what his plans are. But I am sure he knows what he is doing as he is an experienced manager."  There have been a few players on trial at Easter Road over the past few weeks but with the squad now starting to go their separate ways until the beginning of July,  it may be some time before we see anyone come in to fill those 24 slots that Williamson keeps referring to in interviews.  The lack of news though is not something that has fazed the experienced Smith, and indeed the various comings and goings have only helped to cement his own feelings on the immediate future of Hibs. 

"I’m optimistic about next season." Smith told the Evening News' David Hardie. "I believe it is an exciting time because we have so many good young players. It was all doom and gloom a couple of weeks ago but the young lads have come in and given the team and the fans a huge lift."  Such a lift was not hard to come by given the team's form up until the League split took place although the manner in which it was done has also helped to give some fans themselves a lift going into the summer's football wilderness.

Meanwhile Ian Murray's second call-up to the full Scotland squad ended in disappointment as he sat on the bench through a lack-lustre 1-1 draw with New Zealand.  Former Hibs striker Stevie Crawford gave the home side the lead at Tynecastle after 11 minutes but the All Whites, playing with non-traditional black shorts, levelled the game shortly after half-time.  Murray will now return to the Under-21 camp to prepare for Friday's clash with Germany at Rugby Park.