Hypothetical question

[Northernhibee]

Came about from playing Football Manager and signing a 40 year old Lionel Messi to Hibs.

Lee Johnson rolls out of bed and his phone starts ringing - “Alright Lee, it’s Erling Haaland here. I was watching Trainspotting last night before belting a bit of the Proclaimers out on karaoke and as it turns out that being a Hibby sounds proper belting. I’ve asked for my release at Man City and I’ll come to play for you for £2k a week.”.

Where would one undoubtedly world class player take Hibs? Second in the league? Top? How far in Europe? Would he be as effective without other top level players around him? What would it do the club commercially and in attracting new talent?

How far do you think Hibs would go with the current squad but with someone like Haaland up front?

[Scouse Hibee]

Came about from playing Football Manager and signing a 40 year old Lionel Messi to Hibs.

Lee Johnson rolls out of bed and his phone starts ringing - “Alright Lee, it’s Erling Haaland here. I was watching Trainspotting last night before belting a bit of the Proclaimers out on karaoke and as it turns out that being a Hibby sounds proper belting. I’ve asked for my release at Man City and I’ll come to play for you for £2k a week.”.

Where would one undoubtedly world class player take Hibs? Second in the league? Top? How far in Europe? Would he be as effective without other top level players around him? What would it do the club commercially and in attracting new talent?

How far do you think Hibs would go with the current squad but with someone like Haaland up front?

He’s a phenomenal talent, watching many of his goals they look like simple finishes as he has the absolute knack of making the right runs and putting himself where he needs to be to finish off quality balls from quality players.
If we had him alone, every ball would be just punt it to Haaland, would be interesting to see how that works, he would probably either score a barrow load or end up chasing balls that he had no chance of converting 😀

[Viva_Palmeiras]

I mentioned on the Longbangers chat re reviewing transfer window. We could sign the Galacticos and it’s only really once we see how they settle in the team that we know how they’d work out.

In Mixu’s reign we signed Jonatan Johansson. A player of pedigree with a record of scoring in our league. How many goals did he bag for us? Outside of training ZERO!

The benefit of a world class player may be they attract others - but likely at a price their transfer and wage aside others would up their asking price / salary…

In recent times The difference for Hibs in the teams that clicked (golden generation) and the Heroes team that brought home the Holy Grail was the will to win and play together as a team, not about superstars - although maybe there’s a case that Stokes brought in that extra quality needed - he didn’t do it in his own…

[SlickShoes]

He’d do amazing, not as well as he has at city though. But he’s the best striker in the world, when you add that to the city team he’s going to score an insane amount of goals.

He can basically brush the best defenders in the world aside at will, it’s incredible to watch someone with those attributes also have the skill level he has.

To answer the question we’d probably be looking at Europa League only, you need a whole team to consistently challenge over the season, 1 prolific striker wouldn’t stop us conceding daft goals and being over run in midfield.

[Since452]

I've often wondered what difference Messi or Ronaldo would make to our team. I think it would be huge. Look at what Latapy/Sauzee did. Two phenomenal players but not on the same level as those two. Would we win the league if they played for us in their prime? We'd be adding another 50/60 goals straight away never mind the assists so possibly.

[ian cruise]

I've often wondered what difference Messi or Ronaldo would make to our team. I think it would be huge. Look at what Latapy/Sauzee did. Two phenomenal players but not on the same level as those two. Would we win the league if they played for us in their prime? We'd be adding another 50/60 goals straight away never mind the assists so possibly.

Plus teams would have to have two men (at least) marking such a player opening up opportunities for others to create and score.

With a generational talent like Messi or Haaland a Hibs/Hearts/Aberdeen would likely be challenging for the title.

[belhavenbill]

We did it when we signed George Best, a world class talent at the end of his career. And though he provided moments of artistry he couldn’t do anything to rescue a less than average team. Great players are often on a totally different wave length to the rest of humanity!

[Paulie Walnuts]

A player like a Haaland or prime Messi/Ronaldo would probably give us every bit as good a chance of winning the league as the Old Firm currently have.

Haaland would win pretty much every header, absolutely smoke everyone in a foot race and brush off even the strongest defenders in our league as if they were youth players. And he pretty much doesn’t miss against the best keepers, he’d probably just smash the ball every time he was within 20 yards and score the majority of them.

Wouldn’t put us down as certs to win it but one player of that quality would turn you into title challengers.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Came about from playing Football Manager and signing a 40 year old Lionel Messi to Hibs.

Lee Johnson rolls out of bed and his phone starts ringing - “Alright Lee, it’s Erling Haaland here. I was watching Trainspotting last night before belting a bit of the Proclaimers out on karaoke and as it turns out that being a Hibby sounds proper belting. I’ve asked for my release at Man City and I’ll come to play for you for £2k a week.”.

Where would one undoubtedly world class player take Hibs? Second in the league? Top? How far in Europe? Would he be as effective without other top level players around him? What would it do the club commercially and in attracting new talent?

How far do you think Hibs would go with the current squad but with someone like Haaland up front?

He'd probably get injured in training.

[MKHIBEE]

I’m sure he would do well in the development team.

[Liberal Hibby]

We did it when we signed George Best, a world class talent at the end of his career. And though he provided moments of artistry he couldn’t do anything to rescue a less than average team. Great players are often on a totally different wave length to the rest of humanity!

Best though really only played for a third or half a game because of fitness. My recollection was that Ally McLeod was about the only existing player who could read Best. I remember the SC semi that year (lost 5-0 to Celtc) that Best and McLeod were unplayable for about 20 minutes then gave up as no-one else was reading them - and Best's lack of fitness took over. Celtic then took control bypassing Best and I think he was substituted either at half time or shortly afterwards.

I'd say you need a spine of players to be playing at or near that sort of level otherwise it's just one or two maverick geniuses who'll play a cameo role.

[Mibbes Aye]

Best though really only played for a third or half a game because of fitness. My recollection was that Ally McLeod was about the only existing player who could read Best. I remember the SC semi that year (lost 5-0 to Celtc) that Best and McLeod were unplayable for about 20 minutes then gave up as no-one else was reading them - and Best's lack of fitness took over. Celtic then took control bypassing Best and I think he was substituted either at half time or shortly afterwards.

I'd say you need a spine of players to be playing at or near that sort of level otherwise it's just one or two maverick geniuses who'll play a cameo role.

Inclined to agree. This sort of thread comes round every so often on here. For me, if it was one guaranteed injury-free player, I think we would get the most joy out of someone like the James Milner of a few years ago (I know that's not exciting!).

Instantly you have someone who would very much be part of a spine, stick-on captain, experienced leader and able to play in a number of roles across the back and middle at a very high level. I'm sure he even played up front in a televised game I saw once.

He's not as glam as a Mybappe but in terms of the domestic season I think that's where we would find the greatest benefit.

[erin go bragh]

Well , we signed George Best and still got relegated 🤔😁

[007]

Well , we signed George Best and still got relegated 🤔😁

He only played in 13 of the league games and, as you know, was well past his prime. And, as pointed out by Liberal Hibby, he wasn't playing close to the full 90 minutes.

[Doh Rae Me]

My memory is garbage, how well did Stevie Archibald do for us. He definitely scored some good goals.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

My memory is garbage, how well did Stevie Archibald do for us. He definitely scored some good goals.

Great player, seen by some as lazy but, as far as I could see he knew not to chase balls he was never going to reach, invariably retained possession when he chased balls he knew he was going to reach down. And well, that goal and celebration at Tynecastle? Say no more! 😀

[gbhibby]

Came about from playing Football Manager and signing a 40 year old Lionel Messi to Hibs.

Lee Johnson rolls out of bed and his phone starts ringing - “Alright Lee, it’s Erling Haaland here. I was watching Trainspotting last night before belting a bit of the Proclaimers out on karaoke and as it turns out that being a Hibby sounds proper belting. I’ve asked for my release at Man City and I’ll come to play for you for £2k a week.”.

Where would one undoubtedly world class player take Hibs? Second in the league? Top? How far in Europe? Would he be as effective without other top level players around him? What would it do the club commercially and in attracting new talent?

How far do you think Hibs would go with the current squad but with someone like Haaland up front?
Depends what service he gets from midfield. Even if he scored a Barrow load of goals there would be posters on here complaining he doesn't do enough for the team.

[Is It On....]

Came about from playing Football Manager and signing a 40 year old Lionel Messi to Hibs.

Lee Johnson rolls out of bed and his phone starts ringing - “Alright Lee, it’s Erling Haaland here. I was watching Trainspotting last night before belting a bit of the Proclaimers out on karaoke and as it turns out that being a Hibby sounds proper belting. I’ve asked for my release at Man City and I’ll come to play for you for £2k a week.”.

Where would one undoubtedly world class player take Hibs? Second in the league? Top? How far in Europe? Would he be as effective without other top level players around him? What would it do the club commercially and in attracting new talent?

How far do you think Hibs would go with the current squad but with someone like Haaland up front?

I honestly think that we would win the league if he stayed fit. My friend got Haaland at £15 per goal above 30 goals..and he is now gutted he didn't bet more. On a related matter, I have always wondered what Pep could do in a club like Hibs, Hearts or Aberdeen - could his managerial skill overcome the financial gulf to the ugly sisters?

[Is It On....]

Great player, seen by some as lazy but, as far as I could see he knew not to chase balls he was never going to reach, invariably retained possession when he chased balls he knew he was going to reach down. And well, that goal and celebration at Tynecastle? Say no more! 😀

And the celebration...socks at his ankles, standing still with arms aloft in front of us...all hail the Archigod!!!