To say there was something of
a contrast between Mixu Paatelainen’s competitive return this
season and his last game before he left the club in the summer of 2001
would be something of an understatement. That 2000/2001 squad, under
the stewardship of Alex McLeish, was on the crest of a wave and despite
losing that particular tie 0-3 to Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final,
nothing could have prepared Paatelainen for his return, a 1-5 drubbing
at the hands of city rivals Hearts.
That particular Tynecastle humiliation
played a part in making this the worst start to the season from a Hibs
side in some years, but Paatelainen was always of the view that the team
would pull through. Speaking after the 2-0 win over Motherwell, the
Finnish striker said: “Obviously its been a terrible start to the
season but we always knew we had good enough players to get points on
the table and fortunately we got them today.” While losing four
games in a row undoubtedly would have a psychological effect on any
side, Mixu found no time for walling in the mire – Mixu pointing out:
“If you lose four games in a row at the start of the season, in fact any
stage of the season, you have to roll up your sleeves and make sure you
win the next one, or at least try your utmost.”
Paatelainen took time to salute the
Hibs fans who have stuck by the side through this recent dry period,
thanking them for their support through thick and thin. Even though he
perhaps exaggerated their numbers at Fir Park, unsurprisingly down on
the usual numbers to make the trip to Lanarkshire, the sentiment
remained the same: “Thankfully, we won the game today and got the
three points, and I’m especially pleased for the fans. You saw today
that although we had a miserable start to the season they filled the
seats and the stand – it was tremendous.” It is vitally important
that Hibs build on the Motherwell result in ten days time against a
Dunfermline side which shipped six goals against Rangers today, and this
was a fact not lost on Paatelainen who told Hibs.net: “You
always need wins and hopefully this will be the first of many. I’m
looking forward to the next match already, and we have to make sure we
win the next one at home.” Clearly, if Hibs are to progress that win
will be vital, especially with the side visiting Parkhead the following
Saturday.
Mixu Paatelainen - finding his feet again (sns)
While transfer activity had been
somewhat limited throughout the summer, the last week has seen something
of a flurry at Easter Road, with three new faces joining the squad, each
of a different nationality. Whether these players will need time to gel
with their colleagues was not an issue for Paatelainen, who instead
concentrated on the healthy competition which they have brought to the
squad: “The boys who have come in have strengthened the team – solid,
aggressive defenders and that’s what we need. We need good competition
for places in any position and we’re getting that.” While it was
over a year since Paatelainen last pulled on a Hibs jersey, eight of the
faces who started that fateful Scottish Cup Final remain at the club –
Laursen, Libbra and Sauzee being the departed – and so it is
unsurprising that the big Finn has found it easy to fit back into
things: “Now I’ve played three or four matches and the match
fitness is there. I’m feeling OK, although Saturday's performance isn’t
as good as I was hoping from myself personally but that’s sometimes the
case. The main thing is the team won.” Indeed, for someone who had
resorted to running round Arthur's Seat to keep the fitness up Mixu has
clearly done well.
The humble nature of the Finn was
exhibited by his acknowledgement that his performance could have been
sharper, and clearly the focus Mixu has on his game is something which
young Garry O’Connor could learn from. Paatelainen also had a word for
Derek Townsley, who unarguably put in one of his best performances since
joining the club: “I’m delighted for him. He just left Motherwell
and he was getting some stick from the Motherwell fans, but that’s the
way to answer them. Two goals in a two-nil victory was tremendous,
especially from a midfield player. He’s a very good finisher and he
certainly puts himself in the box in scoring positions and deserves his
goals.”
The sight of Mixu Paatelainen in a
Hibs jersey no doubt brings back memories of fond times for many Hibs
fans, the season before last being perhaps one of the most satisfying
for a number of years. While the Finnish striker can’t bring back
those kind of performances single-handedly, the message emanating from
Fir Park on Saturday was that one should not underestimate those
individuals who make up the first team of today, and it would be unwise
to write off this season just yet!
