Forget the performances
Brebner looking to regain his confidence rather than win Man of the Match awards...

Yesterday's news that Grant Brebner had signed a new 3 year deal with Hibs has been greeted with almost uniform praise for the midfielder who has only just returned to the first team in time to see the season close.  Brebner, arguably Hibs most consistent performer in the first half of the season, stated earlier in the season that he wanted to remain a Hibs player beyond the end of the contract that was due to run out in a matter of weeks, a declaration that some Hibs fans took with a pinch of salt given his remarks during his first spell at Easter Road.

Speaking to RadioHibs' Cliff Pike last night at the Shirt Sponsor's Presentation Evening, Brebner stated that despite the fact that there was no-one leading the team from a manager's perspective, he was happy to put pen to paper in order to play with some of those that took his place in the side while he was out injured.  "For me it didn't really matter who was in charge. We've got players who I know will be here next season, I don't know who will be coming in but the players that are here are well capable of doing something so that's good enough for me."  The midfield trio of Brebner, Kevin Thomson and Kevin Nicol looked god on his return from injury against Dundee at Easter Road a couple of weeks ago but the last two games have been ones to forget for the former Manchester United and Reading star.

Brebner - thought season was over  (sns)

"I've not played particularly well but like I said, I'm not interested in that! I'm just glad to get the four games. We've one two out of the three which is great for the team but personally I'm just looking for the confidence and we'll give it 100% for next season."  The fact that he's back playing this season at all is a bonus for Brebner who feared that his season was over after his arm was broken at the turn of the year.  "Obviously having the arm break wasn't great but getting back and playing these four games was a bonus to me as I never thought I'd get back this season so the fact that I've been able to play in them and get the confidence rather than playing well or getting my fitness, just getting the confidence thing was a boost for me."  With Matt Doumbe also being offered a new deal and Gary Caldwell's agent also having opened talks with Rod Petrie which will continue this week, the future shape of the team may not end up being too dissimilar to what it is today.

Meanwhile Edinburgh City Council Deputy Lord Provost Steve Cardownie has expressed his desire to see the Festival Cup played again this year and beyond.  Speaking yesterday, Cardownie also revealed that the Council have made tentative enquiries to other sides about representing their cities, Edinburgh's twin cities, in a tournament for the trophy.  "I’m concerned to hear there is a problem over finding a suitable date for this year’s event.  I am very keen to see the Festival Cup become a regular fixture for Hearts and Hibs and, indeed, evolve into an annual event that includes teams from Edinburgh’s twin cities, such as Bayern Munich, Dynamo Kiev and Fiorentina.

"Council officials have made preliminary enquiries about the possibility of these teams participating in the Festival Cup, but the initial feedback indicated that many of the clubs have their pre-season tours tied up years in advance, often with lucrative deals to visit America or the Far East.  Nonetheless, we will continue to endeavour to attract other such teams to the competition."  Bringing in teams of the calibre of Bayern Munich et al would certainly attract the numbers to Easter Road at a time when getting people on seats is an absolute must as cash continues to flow out of the Scottish game.