IT WOULD BE PARANOIA PERHAPS TO SUGGEST that a certain Sunday tabloid newspaper had it in for the Hibernian these days, but there can be little doubt that they have been presenting as much negative publicity for the club as they possibly could in recent weeks - and when studied a little more closely, none of it appears to stand up as being either good or wise journalism.  Two weeks on the trot the newspaper concerned placed stories on the front page about the apparent 'disgraceful and disrespectful' behaviour of Hibs players, quoting un-named fans as being disgusted by the antics of the players on a night out in Edinburgh.  The truth of course is clear from those many Hibees posting on internet message boards and the likes, revealing far from disgruntled fans but rather amused punters almost pleased to learn that players who appeared to fail miserably to work as a team on the park were at least attempting to do so off it.

Like all such stories that one will be the matter of jokes and leg-pulling for some time yet, but never taken particularly seriously by any other than the most miserable football fan!  These stories however were also forgivable in that they were produced by journalists on the 'news' desk as opposed to the sports desk of the newspaper, and it is fair to say here that Hibs players refusal to talk to any Sunday journalists post-match in the last two weeks is more than a little churlish on their part, bearing that fact in mind.  On Sunday however it was in the sports pages that the next 'charge' was laid against Hibernian, the club accused of trying to scupper Falkirk's bid for promotion to the SPL by refusing to attend a scheduled meeting this Thursday where it was planned to vote on the Bairns' application to be allowed to use Airdrie United's stadium on a temporary basis next season.  The story was presented as Hibs being the bad boys here, and managing director Rod Petrie in particular, in postponing a decision until just before the season ends and thus leaving Falkirk waiting longer than required.

Rod Petrie - taking time out from home troubles to ensure Falkirk are given a fair hearing (sns)

Again however there is another angle to this story, and very different from the one presented by the newspaper which has perhaps missed the point completely.  Far from making life difficult for Falkirk, Hibernian appear to have emerged as the best hope that club have remaining of actually being allowed into the Scottish 'elite' next season - and you only need to look at the reaction of some under-threat SPL clubs rather than Falkirk to realise that.  Motherwell have been the main complainants to Hibs refusal to vote on the issue this week, citing just about every red-herring reason in the book as to why Hibernian were being the nasty guys here and, indeed, manager Terry Butcher claiming that Rod Petrie 'had his own agenda'.  Quite possibly he does - to be as fair as possible to Falkirk and to ensure that they are given a full and fair hearing before any decision is taken.  The exact opposite of the position being suggested by the Sunday tabloid.

Hibs.net understands that the position Hibs have assumed from the start has been supportive of Falkirk's right as first division champions to be promoted to the SPL.  It would be pure conjecture to assume that this is in part because of the manner that Hibernian were left high and dry by some clubs during the power-struggle against the Old Firm, indeed some of the very clubs now threatened with relegation from the SPL should Falkirk be permitted to take their rightful place in the top league.  It would also be conjecture to simply assume that Hibs want to see fair play without dallying in the political manoeuvres of recent months over Falkirk's right to play in a borrowed stadium while their own is being erected.  Whatever the underlying reasons might be for Hibs decision, they are certainly not to the detriment of Falkirk, as the smart money has been on a 'No' vote should that have gone ahead on Thursday.  In public at least Hibs are sticking to a very valid reason for not wishing to go ahead with Thursday's meeting.

Rod Petrie told the Edinburgh Evening News last night: ""Falkirk made a submission which was discussed in the SPL boardroom when it was decided that further information was required and, as yet, we have had nothing further.  Falkirk are, I think, in the process, or just about, to come forward with the information but there is no dithering from Hibs. No-one has the documentation, no-one has all the facts and it would be disrespectful to the clubs in the League and Falkirk, who are trying to get into it, to make a premature decision.  It may be a fine line, but this is not an SPL board decision, under the rules it is a decision for all the clubs and a general meeting has to be called. That takes 14 days and to be fair to the clubs in the League, and Falkirk, we need to have the best information if we are to make a balanced decision."  All seems sensible enough to me, although I doubt very much those in the boardroom of Motherwell and, in particular, Dundee United will think the same!  While both these clubs have much to lose through relegation, it is perhaps reasonable to assume that Dundee United would be facing the greater catastrophe.  It is also reasonable to assume that United have few friends at Easter Road.