I risk being called a cynic, but I'm finding it a bit difficult to fully embrace the heady optimism which the arrival of Scott Allan has engendered.
Suddenly, a player who has failed to consistently impress anywhere in his career, is a "good fit" at Hibs and, for the first time ever, is in line for international honours. He's a luxury, an enigmatic pickpocket who needs to be indulged.
Well, maybe he is, I certainly hope so, but my past memory of players with "complicated" careers, is not particularly positive.
For example, Liam Miller started well and offered great hope under Yogi, but fell away badly.
Because of a shocking disciplinary record
which really should have ended his career years earlier, Chic Charnley came to Hibs on a pay as you play deal.
He did quite well at first. He was very skilful and good to watch to the extent that there were calls for him to be called up for Scotland. What happened? He got sent off again for fighting with a teammate.
Even Anthony Stokes brought trouble to the dressing room the first time he was at Easter Road, and we all know how his Hibs career ended.
So, my experience of footballers is that they don't readily change, but I'm open to the possibility that there are exceptions.
Are there many examples of players who have settled down and proved the doubters wrong by achieving their potential?
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23-02-2018 08:14 AM #1
Players who failed elsewhere but became great
Last edited by Hibbyradge; 23-02-2018 at 08:16 AM.
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23-02-2018 08:16 AM #2This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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23-02-2018 08:18 AM #3
Scott Allan did brilliantly for Hibs the last time he was here, why not again. His talent is unquestionable.
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23-02-2018 08:19 AM #4This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
He didn't make it at Wolves, but he's been successful everywhere else.
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23-02-2018 08:29 AM #5This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I think Griffiths has done that his whole career
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24-02-2018 12:18 PM #6This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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24-02-2018 11:48 AM #12This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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23-02-2018 08:35 AM #13This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Was he not just booked for shouting at Joe McLaughlin after a misplaced pass? It seemed that it went on for weeks right after we signed him 'one booking means a lengthy ban' and he got away with a few meaty challenges in games before a soft booking for a wee shouting match with a team mate.
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23-02-2018 08:36 AM #14This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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23-02-2018 09:05 AM #16This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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23-02-2018 11:45 AM #17
I don't really get where you are going hibbyradge. That's two threads you are on at the moment making this case against anyone getting excited about scott Allan.
He was brilliant in his one season with us and turned our team upside down for the better in only two games back. He has gone on record to say how happy he is to be back and the joy in his game and work rate matches this.
Why would you not be happy about this? I really hope Leanne is already working on a way to keep him and build the team around him.Last edited by keep the faith; 23-02-2018 at 03:29 PM.
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23-02-2018 02:49 PM #18This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
I've had so many horrible disappointments with Hibs in the past, maybe I'm just trying to insulate myself from any further disappointment. You know, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst".
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23-02-2018 11:52 AM #19This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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23-02-2018 12:03 PM #20
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You're right that footballers don't readilly change, but I don't recall Scott Allan doing anything wrong first time round at Hibs beyond the sin of ambition. Bigger clubs came calling and he wanted to take the money and/or believed he was ready for a bigger stage. He went and we got a fee - some fans took the hump but being long in the tooth and having seen it all before I didn't think all that much of it.
The move to Celtic didn't work out well for him as he's played precious little football this last few years. Now he's back at Hibs, his interviews seem to indicate a lesson has been learned (as well as perhaps some paychecks banked?) and he's expressed an over-arching desire to play and enjoy his football here at a club which genuinely seems to be a good fit for his talents. I hope that's not just bluster and he genuinely does see a future at Hibs beyond the next enquiry from some more glamorous destination.
Regardless though, the way I see it right now is that Scott Allan is good for Hibs and Hibs is good for Scott Allan, and the result is some great eye-catching football - long may it continue and I'm just going to sit back and enjoy it.
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23-02-2018 12:19 PM #21
Was thinking of suggesting Craig Levein, but in his case it was the other way round. Peaked at Cowdenbeath and won F all since.
"I did not need any persuasion to play for such a great club, the Hibs result is still one of the first I look for"
Sir Matt Busby
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23-02-2018 02:30 PM #22
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Tony Cascarino decent for millwall terrible at celtic and Chelsea but goals galore at Marseille and Nancy
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23-02-2018 03:02 PM #23This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Of course the same labels have never been applied to other players and managers who have left other clubs and come to us, under similar circumstances.
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23-02-2018 05:30 PM #24
John Robertson for Hearts springs to mind, he never really set the heather on fire elsewhere.
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23-02-2018 05:35 PM #25This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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23-02-2018 05:43 PM #26
There was the Norwegian guy for Celtic (Brattbak?). Banged goals in before and after his spell at Parkhead but didn’t live up to his hype while there. Although, ironically, he did score the league clinching goal in what I recall was his last season with them.
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23-02-2018 08:19 PM #27
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James Collins.... scores goals everywhere (still not sure how that actually happens!) 🙈
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23-02-2018 08:46 PM #29
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