Is today the day?
Could we hear something sooner rather than later as another name is added to the list...

The saga surrounding the hiring of a new management team at Easter Road has been going on for longer than any Hibs fan thought or wanted it to go on for, and with details on Season Ticket prices as well as other offers including the much talked about membership schemes due to drop through UK bases Hibs fans' letterboxes on Thursday morning, the time could be about right to make the announcement of who will lead the club into European competition for the first time in nearly three years before attempting to finish in the top half of the SPL for the first time in the same period.

Many names have been banded about, and indeed, it's believed that different people have been the favourites at different times with former Coventry boss Eric Black holding that position just now, with some rumours putting him in the hotseat within the next few days, this despite the fact that he's said that he doesn't want to move back to Scotland and wants a job where he can commute from his current residence!  Of the names in the frame at the moment, he's certainly the one with more experience than some of the previous leading candidates although the name of Ian Branfoot was thrown into the equation last night.  Branfoot, who has had spells at Reading, Fulham and Southampton before taking a position as Chief Scout at Leicester City.

Zambernardi in action before his injury earlier this season  (sns)

Whoever is appointed, they will have to work fast to ensure that key players whose contracts are about to expire get retained if he wants them as part of his future plans.  Players such as Daniel Andersson, Grant Brebner and Yannick Zambernardi are just three of those who are currently in a state of limbo while they wait to see who is introduced by the board as their new manager.  Andersson, speaking to the official website after Saturday's game at Pittodrie, revealed that there is no contract on the table from the Easter Road side as yet. “I’ve not been offered a contract yet and when I have been I’ll take a decision and we’ll see then what happens."  With the keeper believed to be attracting interest from back in his native Sweden, Andersson knows he can't afford to wait forever.  "My agent has obviously been working for me, otherwise he would not be doing his job, he needs to look after me and my family. But we’ll see when Hibs decide it is time to offer me a contract but I can’t wait too much longer.”

Zambernardi has had, by contrast, a very disappointing year with the Frenchman having to sit out a large part of the season with an injury.  “It is difficult when you are playing and approaching the end of your contract, but when you are injured it is even harder."  Like so many before him, there has been an attraction about the club that those brought to Edinburgh feel as soon as they arrive, an attraction that makes many of them want to stay that bit longer.  "I would love to stay at Hibernian, I like the country and I am very happy here at the Club. The fans have always been behind me, and I will never forget that, they have helped me and my family.” 

Meanwhile, Rod Petrie has called on his opposite number at Hearts to sit down and sort a date out for this year's Festival Cup game.  With Hearts arranging a pre-season friendly against Fulham for the date that was originally proposed, the Hibs Managing Director is looking for the Tynecastle side to get things sorted as soon as possible. "The last time Chris Robinson and I had a discussion about the Festival Cup, July 31 was pencilled in but we then became aware Hearts planned to play Fulham that day.  Now we are playing Leeds that weekend in a challenge match set up by Whyte and Mackay to mark the beginning of their sponsorship deal with us."  While the calendar is filling up rapidly for July thanks to the Intertoto Cup and possible future rounds should Hibs make it past their first tie, Petrie believes the game could still go ahead.  "No-one has told me they do not want the Festival Cup to happen but because, in effect, it is Hearts’ home match, they should be taking the lead in organising it.   We are assuming Hearts will come forward with alternative proposals although the fact the match is meant to be part of the Festival celebrations means there is a limited window opportunity."  Despite these calls, the prospect of gaining revenge for last season's defeat at Easter Road is looking more and more unlikely.