Hanlon.

[Mango Man]

Think he is looking a lot tougher and meaner this season, shades of Big Daz in his play, long may it continue.

[PH91]

Outstanding so far. His form definitely dipped for an extended period but during that time he was never as poor as some made out and was often playing in an exposed back line. When he first came through he got a reputation for being 'soft' and although that hasn't been the case for a long time now (if it ever was) some of our support just can't seem to get it out of their head.

[SMAXXA]

He’s been excellent and deserves all the credit he’s getting. Long may it continue

[DaveF]

He's playing really well and forming a good partnership with Porteous. A real captains role and long may it continue.

[J-C]

Deserves a call up, one of the best defenders if not the best in the league at the moment.

[inglisavhibs]

Deserves a call up, one of the best defenders if not the best in the league at the moment.
Today he was absolutely sublime, we will only realise how good he was when we try to replace h8m.

[RitchieHibs]

Really come of age has Paul. Matured into the player we all thought he could become. A great guy also. Well done Paul. Scottish Cup legend.

[CmoantheHibs]

Has been superb in every game this season. Continues in this from and he must be close to a call up.

[IvanSproule]

I'm hoping that a relatively healthy injury record means we have 4-5 years left of Hanlon. Will be so hard to replace his quality.

[jeffers]

Great thread, good to see people are (finally) appreciating Paul Hanlon.

[MagicSwirlingShip]

Good to see PH get credit where credit is due on here.

Long may his good form continue.

[theonlywayisup]

Mr Hibs

[matty_f]

He’s had an excellent start to the season - back to his form pre-injury. Hopefully he keeps it up, as he’s outstanding when he’s in this form.

[Brightside]

Pfft. He’s not as good as he used to be.

[supermcginn]

Deserves a call up, one of the best defenders if not the best in the league at the moment.

Does he? Why does he never get one?

[Hillsidehibby]

Great thread, good to see people are (finally) appreciating Paul Hanlon.

Paul was shocking last season. Delighted he has turned it around. Absolute stalwart.

[J-C]

Doesn't play for the old firm maybe, he was called up by Malky Mackay for a friendly against Holland where he sat on the bench without getting a game. Scotland have called up some sheite defenders over the years, Hanlon for some unknown reason has never been given a chance, same could be said about Daz, obviously not now but in the past.

[SHODAN]

Hanlon and his fellow defenders have been superb so far.

[FilipinoHibs]

With his experience reads game well. Composed and distribution improved as well with less long hoofs.

[500miles]

Being a central defender is a lot easier when the opposition can't just stroll through the middle of the park.

[Unseen work]

Brilliant again, like a new player this season.

If we signed someone putting in the performances he has so far this place would be buzzing.

[The 90+2]

He’s had a very good start to the season. Delighted for him. More aggressive and mature and rarely gets bullied now.

[The 90+2]

Doesn't play for the old firm maybe, he was called up by Malky Mackay for a friendly against Holland where he sat on the bench without getting a game. Scotland have called up some sheite defenders over the years, Hanlon for some unknown reason has never been given a chance, same could be said about Daz, obviously not now but in the past.

If the Leeds Utd captain can’t get in the side then I’m not sure Hanlon is good enough internationally.

[Onceinawhile]

He's been great this season, but he was terrible for the majority of last season.

I don't know how many left footed centre backs we have, but he's probably missed the boat given that he's 30 now.

[The 90+2]

He's been great this season, but he was terrible for the majority of last season.

I don't know how many left footed centre backs we have, but he's probably missed the boat given that he's 30 now.

See the Leeds captain above 😂

[inglisavhibs]

Paul was shocking last season. Delighted he has turned it around. Absolute stalwart.
No he wasn’t, maybe not at his very best but shocking is not a word I would use regarding hanlon last season.

[davym7062]

yep, he s been quality last few games. ive been a crtitic for years, the laddie has no doubt got it but hes as week as a kitten, theres a reason a bigger clubs havnt come in for him. hes been outstanding this season tho

[B.H.F.C]

Great thread, good to see people are (finally) appreciating Paul Hanlon.

I’m a critic. Or I was last season.

But I think he’s been superb this year. Defensively, as a team, we e been so improved but the defence have led that. Credit where it’s due.

[jacomo]

Being a central defender is a lot easier when the opposition can't just stroll through the middle of the park.


Spot on. Last season opponents could get at our back line and turn out defenders far too often. Now they have some protection they look better players. Funny that!

[MWHIBBIES]

As I said all during the break. Our defenders were absolutely fine, it was the midfield and coach leaving them exposed. Now no longer happening and folk wanted them in the Scotland squad.

Turns out Hanlon isn't finished after all?

[Brightside]

He’s never been terrible, he’s never been soft, he’s never been rag dolled by big strikers. His form like every player can go up and down. Especially when the defence had no midfield protection in the past. But he’s an excellent CH and is rightly getting the plaudits he deserves.

I have a load of signed items of his. Would now be the best time to sell them? 😂😂

[J-C]

If the Leeds Utd captain can’t get in the side then I’m not sure Hanlon is good enough internationally.


McKenna seems to get a game, is he better? jeez they're playing McTominnay at CH FFS. We've not been too impressive over the past few seasons picking decent CH's.

[bigwheel]

McKenna seems to get a game, is he better? jeez they're playing McTominnay at CH FFS. We've not been too impressive over the past few seasons picking decent CH's.

In my view, McKenna is faster and stronger....probably not a better reader of the game yet, but has more attributes to play at a higher level. Hanlon is our best defender though, and great to see him being recognised as a top player for us..


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[Jdawg]

Defence looked poor last year as our midfield was non-existent. Teams poured through our midfield with ease which is why we conceded so many goals. It put our back line under so much pressure.

Gogic has been a massive success but we need another properly defensive minded midfielder for the squad.

[hibbysam]

In my view, McKenna is faster and stronger....probably not a better reader of the game yet, but has more attributes to play at a higher level. Hanlon is our best defender though, and great to see him being recognised as a top player for us..


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Faster? McKenna is a big lump with absolutely zero footballing ability other than to header a ball that’s on his napper or kick and pull someone who runs away from him.

[B.H.F.C]

Defence looked poor last year as our midfield was non-existent. Teams poured through our midfield with ease which is why we conceded so many goals. It put our back line under so much pressure.

Gogic has been a massive success but we need another properly defensive minded midfielder for the squad.

Gogic has made a big difference, definitely no coincidence in that.

Replacing Lewis Stevenson has also made a big difference IMO.

Hanlon, and others, are also doing the basics a lot better as well.

[bigwheel]

Faster? McKenna is a big lump with absolutely zero footballing ability other than to header a ball that’s on his napper or kick and pull someone who runs away from him.

I understand people have mixed views of him, he has stalled in development a bit in the last year..but that’s just wrong: As well as his physicality, he has good pace and is a decent passer of the ball..


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[wookie70]

Nowhere near as bad as fans were saying last year and showing his class this year. Hope he sees out his career at Hibs as he is a terrific defender and the type of character the club needs

[hibbysam]

I understand people have mixed views of him, he has stalled in development a bit in the last year..but that’s just wrong: As well as his physicality, he has good pace and is a decent passer of the ball..


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I must be watching games in slow motion then because he has absolutely no pace when I watch him. There’s a reason he gets chucked in as the middle centre half of the three with two quicker, better footballers either side of him for Scotland.

[Since90+2]

Hanlon is what he has pretty much always been - a good SPFL centre half. The view of him is skewed slightly because there is one poster who constantly makes out he is levels above that and people then counteract that which gives the impression that a proportion of fans have an issue with him which isn't the case.

Hanlon is a Hibs legend but he is what he is and there is a reason he's never played at a higher level.

[bigwheel]

I must be watching games in slow motion then because he has absolutely no pace when I watch him. There’s a reason he gets chucked in as the middle centre half of the three with two quicker, better footballers either side of him for Scotland.

I suspect because of his physicality he is often chosen as the one to go one on one with their main striker. He often plays in the left of a two for Aberdeen. He is very left sided, needs to work on his right foot (almost never uses it). Not sure I’ve ever seen him beaten to a ball over the top..You are reading his attributes wrongly. He has good pace, which is unusual for a big guy...he also is a decent footballer with the ball at his feet. This, plus his physicality, is why he will get a move to a bigger club.


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[JimBHibees]

He’s had an excellent start to the season - back to his form pre-injury. Hopefully he keeps it up, as he’s outstanding when he’s in this form.

Agree with all of that not sure I have seen him playing so well as he is now. Long may it continue

[JimBHibees]

I must be watching games in slow motion then because he has absolutely no pace when I watch him. There’s a reason he gets chucked in as the middle centre half of the three with two quicker, better footballers either side of him for Scotland.

He usually plays left of a 3 this season.

[hibbysam]

He usually plays left of a 3 this season.

Not for scotland he hasn’t.

[JimBHibees]

Not for scotland he hasn’t.

Apologies thought you were talking about PH

[hibeejeebies]

Think he is looking a lot tougher and meaner this season, shades of Big Daz in his play, long may it continue.

PH is just a beard away from shaking the "soft" tag altogether.

[Brightside]

Hanlon is what he has pretty much always been - a good SPFL centre half. The view of him is skewed slightly because there is one poster who constantly makes out he is levels above that and people then counteract that which gives the impression that a proportion of fans have an issue with him which isn't the case.

Hanlon is a Hibs legend but he is what he is and there is a reason he's never played at a higher level.

The best CH in Scotland.

[MWHIBBIES]

Hanlon is what he has pretty much always been - a good SPFL centre half. The view of him is skewed slightly because there is one poster who constantly makes out he is levels above that and people then counteract that which gives the impression that a proportion of fans have an issue with him which isn't the case.

Hanlon is a Hibs legend but he is what he is and there is a reason he's never played at a higher level.

Scott Brown has never played at a higher level either. You can be a quality SPL player without going down south. Hanlon has been for years.

[MrRobot]

Him and Porteous have been class so far this season.

[CLASS OF 72 -73]

Paul was shocking last season. Delighted he has turned it around. Absolute stalwart.

Shocking? - Behave

[The 90+2]

McKenna seems to get a game, is he better? jeez they're playing McTominnay at CH FFS. We've not been too impressive over the past few seasons picking decent CH's.

Yes a player who plays for Manchester United at centre half from time to time is better than Paul Hanlon 🤣🤣🤣🤣

If he wasn’t Manchester United could sign Paul for half a million and stick him there like they did Goram.

[Shrekko]

I don't think there's ever been so much hyper critical guff spouted about any other Hibs player- by a minority obviously.

Even when he's playing like he is at the moment the praise is grudging and littered with comments about how he's never played for Scotland or at a higher level.

His form has ranged from excellent to average ... which is pretty good over 10-12 years, yet some of the words you see used to describe him you wouldn't use to describe Sean O'Hanlon.

Funny how every single Hibs manager has had him as an absolutely automatic pick since he broke through when fit...without fail.

[Since90+2]

Scott Brown has never played at a higher level either. You can be a quality SPL player without going down south. Hanlon has been for years.

Scott Brown has played Champions League,Europa League and international football consistently for the past 10 years. All are a much higher level than SPL.

[MWHIBBIES]

Scott Brown has played Champions League,Europa League and international football consistently for the past 10 years. All are a much higher level than SPL.Paul has played plenty of Europa league games and international football isn't some high level. We've released about 10 full internationals over the last 4/5 years because they weren't good enough.



Paul was shocking last season. Delighted he has turned it around. Absolute stalwart.

Seriously? He wasn't shocking at all. Our best player, along with Doidge, since Ross came in.

[Hillsidehibby]

Shocking? - Behave

Opinions eh?

[Since90+2]

Paul has played plenty of Europa league games and international football isn't some high level. We've released about 10 full internationals over the last 4/5 years because they weren't good enough.




Seriously? He wasn't shocking at all. Our best player, along with Doidge, since Ross came in.

You've conveniently left out Champions League football that Brown has played as it doesn't suit your arguement. Scott Brown has made more appearances in the European Cup/Champions League than any Scottish player in history. Not a higher level?

And Paul Hanlon has not played any Europa League games, he has played in a few Europa League qualifying ties. Unless you are suggesting the qualifying rounds are the same standard as the group stages of the tournament?

I'm not sure what you mean by "international football is not some high level" as it's clearly a higher standard than Scottish League football.

Scott Brown has played 175 Champions League,Europa League and International matches in the past 12 years. To suggest he has not played at a higher level than Paul Hanlon is quite silly really.

[MWHIBBIES]

You've conveniently left out Champions League football that Brown has played as it doesn't suit your arguement. And Paul Hanlon has not played any Europa League games, he has played in a few Europa League qualifying ties. I'm not sure what you mean by "international football is not some high level" as it's clearly a higher standard than Scottish League football.

Scott Brown has played 175 Champions League,Europa League and International matches in the past 12 years. To suggest he has not played at a higher level than Paul Hanlon is quite silly really.

Obviously I've left it out, what am I going to say. Brown has played 90% of his career against the same ***** Hanlon does, that's the point.

Some international football is a higher level, some really isn't. Hanlon has less caps than guys like Bigirimama, Slivka, Nelom etc.

It's such a boring way to judge a player. Do you not look at his attributes, his brilliant achievements with Hibs etc? Just because he hasn't moved on he can't be quality?

[Smartie]

I thought that last season Hanlon had his poorest season since he broke into the side. He wasn’t shocking but he didn’t quite reach the standards he’d set in previous years and I thought it was reasonable that some were starting to doubt him.

This season he’s been outstanding though. I’m a Hanlon fan, and it’s been great to see him back doing what he does best. No coincidence though that he looks so much better playing with the same defenders every week, with a goalkeeper who looks focussed and on form, and with a defensive minded midfielder to give the whole defensive unit protection.

[Numptie]

Last season the whole defence was left on its own, with no protection. So hard to judge each defender when they had to make decisions on how to cover 3 or 4 additional midfielders running through unchallenged. Whole midfield is now playing better defensively - with Gogic as the anchor.

[inglisavhibs]

[QUOTE=Shrekko;6298858]I don't think there's ever been so much hyper critical guff spouted about any other Hibs player- by a minority obviously.

Even when he's playing like he is at the moment the praise is grudging and littered with comments about how he's never played for Scotland or at a higher level.

His form has ranged from excellent to average ... which is pretty good over 10-12 years, yet some of the words you see used to describe him you wouldn't use to describe Sean O'Hanlon.

Funny how every single Hibs manager has had him as an absolutely automatic pick since he broke through when fit...without fail.

That just about sums it up perfectly.

[Onceinawhile]

Paul has played plenty of Europa league games and international football isn't some high level. We've released about 10 full internationals over the last 4/5 years because they weren't good enough.




Seriously? He wasn't shocking at all. Our best player, along with Doidge, since Ross came in.

Plenty of Europa league games? Has it even reached double figures?

[MWHIBBIES]

Plenty of Europa league games? Has it even reached double figures?

Depends if you class 10 as double figures or not. I do :greengrin

[660]

Hibs wouldn’t have been relegated under butcher if Hanlon had been fit. An often overlooked fact.

[The 90+2]

Hibs wouldn’t have been relegated under butcher if Hanlon had been fit. An often overlooked fact.

Then we wouldn’t have won the Scottish Cup under Stubbs. I’m happy we took the hit 😃

[Brightside]

Hibs wouldn’t have been relegated under butcher if Hanlon had been fit. An often overlooked fact.

If we werent relegated we might have kept butcher and Hanlon would have been ruined anyway. Lucky for us Hanlon was injured.

[660]

If we werent relegated we might have kept butcher and Hanlon would have been ruined anyway. Lucky for us Hanlon was injured.

Yeah it worked out OK - it was just more of a point about how vital Hanlon has been to Hibs, not just recently but for a good while.

[Onceinawhile]

Depends if you class 10 as double figures or not. I do :greengrin

I would too tbf! I had the following games down

2 v faroes
2 v greek
2 v norway
2 v denmark

I suspect the one I was missing is the tie from 2013 that I had tried to forget about!!

[I_Love_Latapy]

PH is just a beard away from shaking the "soft" tag altogether.

Underrated post