John Collins, Craig Brewster and Russell Latapy (merged)

[fife hfc]

Why he gave up playing early I'll never know. What a class act and could still grace the SPL, has the awarness and skill to compete. That was the second time I have seen him in the last year and easily stands out.

[Big Frank]

Petrie out, JC in.

[Westie1875]

Said the same at the match, still got it.

[fife hfc]

For one of the goals hos combination play woth Russell was sublime and shows football brains will always over come brawn. In the same move Vierea was made to look very ordinary.

[Golden Bear]

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Petrie out, JC in.

The Tache just ain't good enough for a midfield position.

[skipster7]

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Why he gave up playing early I'll never know. What a class act and could still grace the SPL, has the awarness and skill to compete. That was the second time I have seen him in the last year and easily stands out.

his goal was a peach as well

[shamo9]

They've still got it

While it was great to see Fletcher and Shiels back at Easter Road, it was the vintage players that really shown through. Screamer by John Collins from about 30 yards, he looked sharper than anyone in our midfield last week and deserved MOM. Brewster kept the ball well and found his team mates 99% of the time, oh how we miss having a striker that likes to play back to goal. Latapy's tricks are always a delight, with the personal highlight being when he turned Viera inside out for a counter attack.

From the current Hibs team I suppose, even for a testimonial, it was disappointing to see how heavily we rely on O'Connor and Sproule to provide a cutting edge for anything and everything. A bright note for me though was how hungry Martin Scott looked despite the occasion. He was still flying into tackles, making runs out wide and quite prepared to have a go from anywhere. He's the first midfielder we've had since Brown who genuinely has a bit of fire in the belly. When you add in the fact that he's got a great finish and delivery from set pieces, then for me he has to be considered the first midfielder on the team sheet for the Aberdeen game. Took his goals very well and knocked Collins onto his backside a couple of times.

Overall I'm happy that Ian Murray got a memorable game for his testimonial, although the less said about his 'penalty' the better. Hilarious moment when he signalled Pat Stanton to get that "bloody goalkeeper hooked" right after.

[blairwallace]

Latapy with number 62 on his back

[Alfred E Newman]

Next management team?

[SteveHFC]

Can we offer Brewster a contract. Till the end of the season

[Big Frank]

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The Tache just ain't good enough for a midfield position.

or a board room position

[DaveF]

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They've still got it

While it was great to see Fletcher and Shiels back at Easter Road, it was the vintage players that really shown through. Screamer by John Collins from about 30 yards, he looked sharper than anyone in our midfield last week and deserved MOM. Brewster kept the ball well and found his team mates 99% of the time, oh how we miss having a striker that likes to play back to goal. Latapy's tricks are always a delight, with the personal highlight being when he turned Viera inside out for a counter attack.

From the current Hibs team I suppose, even for a testimonial, it was disappointing to see how heavily we rely on O'Connor and Sproule to provide a cutting edge for anything and everything. A bright note for me though was how hungry Martin Scott looked despite the occasion. He was still flying into tackles, making runs out wide and quite prepared to have a go from anywhere. He's the first midfielder we've had since Brown who genuinely has a bit of fire in the belly. When you add in the fact that he's got a great finish and delivery from set pieces, then for me he has to be considered the first midfielder on the team sheet for the Aberdeen game. Took his goals very well and knocked Collins onto his backside a couple of times.

Overall I'm happy that Ian Murray got a memorable game for his testimonial, although the less said about his 'penalty' the better. Hilarious moment when he signalled Pat Stanton to get that "bloody goalkeeper hooked" right after.

Did he take it with his right foot?

[RickyS]

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Can we offer Brewster a contract. Till the end of the season

thought he played well today. it still hurts that we never offered him a deal and he went to dunfermline.
we could do a lot worse than sign him up! i wondered if he would follow derek adams down the road when he came.

[shamo9]

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Did he take it with his right foot?

Considering how tame the shot was, probably. He didn't take a run up and hit it low and not so hard slightly to the right. When we won the second penalty he was like 'don't even think about asking me' when the keeper goaded him.

Basically it took the phrase 'his legs have gone' to new heights

[Calvin]

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his goal was a peach as well

Just saw it again on Sky Sports News, was a belter!

I thought Brewster was MOM today though, good goals and spot on passing and vision.

[Baldy Foghorn]

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Why he gave up playing early I'll never know. What a class act and could still grace the SPL, has the awarness and skill to compete. That was the second time I have seen him in the last year and easily stands out.

Very fit man, silky player and a fabulous goal..... I think I love him....

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Thought Viera and Pires were pretty ordinary today. Unremarkable.

Although I suppose that in itself is remarkable :)

[Baldy Foghorn]

Never ever thought I would see Vieira, to Stevenson to Pires.... Magic stuff

[Springbank]

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Very fit man, silky player and a fabulous goal..... I think I love him....

at last, a thread today about what my club is good at. . .lets talk skill, entertainment, football. Well done ian murray et al for putting on a show. The less said about fans and managers the better. Mon the Hibeeees

[NaeTechnoHibby]

Great day out

Collins was different class and deserved MOM in my opinion

He was the puppet master and pulled all the strings today

Nice of the wee magician to miss though

The three listed above would still get a game at most SPL and certainly SFL clubs, not maybe 90 minutes (RL excepted... he needs fag breaks )

I wisnae going until 6pm last night..................Colllins and Latapy swayed me

[col02]

Definitely should look into getting a Scottish veterans league up and running imho similiar to the masters tournaments as there is a lot of quality players out there who could as they showed today still turn it on and entertain the crowds! Loved how Collins and Latapy linked up with their intelligent passing and in Brewster they had an option to hold the ball up and bring the midfield into play.

[GodisaHibee]

The two fittest guys on the park today were Collins and Brewster. It's a ridiculous comment to make when we have all the facilities...blah, blah, and I know it was a friendly, testimonial, but I think they really showed what you need. Consummate professionals both (and Yogi).

Was great to see so many guys back to Easter Road, but for me; the laddie Smith looks good, and the laddie (this is where I will get slagged for not knowing) at 19? shaping up, in my humble opine, to be a Gary O.

LOVED to see Jimmy Boco there and what a job he's doing with some silly laddie called Vieira on the charity front. Ace guys.

Was interested to see Yogi play against some of his ex's; will say no more.

Could have been embarrassing for the '1st' team today!

God forgive Me I forgot; HOW good was it to see Latapy back at ER and command the Midfield? I cried.

[Leith_Hibee]

Too much being said about the current Hibs team today, it was a bounce game FFS!!

Pleased for Ian that he had a testimonial and it was played in a good manner and was very entertaining, some old faces clearly delighted to have a run out on the hallowed turf!! JC was different class.

I was really disappointed with the crowd, the boy has given us 10 years service.

[MWHIBBIES]

Did anyone see Yogi pulling Crawford's shorts down??

Sorry I know its a bit OT but wasn't sure where to post it.

[mim]

A very enjoyable day, but please don't imagine for a moment that the 'oldies' would still be able to hack it in the modern game.

Collins is remarkably fit for his age, Latapy will never lose his skill and vision and Brewster is still a bruiser with an exceptional knowledge of the 'target man' role, but they would only be allowed to show their abilities in a 'no tackling' bounce game like this.

Interesting to note that Scott and Kano could not change their naturally aggressive style.

A great day, but please let's keep things in perspective.

(Can we have Fletcher back please?)

[NadeAteMyLunch!]

Walked out my flat about 6.30pm and there was wee Russell standing 10 yards from my door!! Had a great chat with him, felt like a wee boy again getting my photo taking with him! Absolute hero as I was growing up. Said it was great to be back but "Really disappointing how Hibs are performing at the moment and a real shame more fans didnt turn up for Ian"

[fife hfc]

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A very enjoyable day, but please don't imagine for a moment that the 'oldies' would still be able to hack it in the modern game.

Collins is remarkably fit for his age, Latapy will never lose his skill and vision and Brewster is still a bruiser with an exceptional knowledge of the 'target man' role, but they would only be allowed to show their abilities in a 'no tackling' bounce game like this.

Interesting to note that Scott and Kano could not change their naturally aggressive style.

A great day, but please let's keep things in perspective.

(Can we have Fletcher back please?)

Brewster and Latapy could not hack it but I believe Collins could easily walkintoany midfield in the SPL. He is strong and skillful and as you say super fit.Yes teams would try to bully him but his first touch and footballintelligence would leave some SPL players looking very silly.

[keep the faith]

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A very enjoyable day, but please don't imagine for a moment that the 'oldies' would still be able to hack it in the modern game.

Collins is remarkably fit for his age, Latapy will never lose his skill and vision and Brewster is still a bruiser with an exceptional knowledge of the 'target man' role, but they would only be allowed to show their abilities in a 'no tackling' bounce game like this.

Interesting to note that Scott and Kano could not change their naturally aggressive style.

A great day, but please let's keep things in perspective.

(Can we have Fletcher back please?)

I genuinely believe Collins could still play in the SPL. Without a doubt.

He as as fit as he was when he played and still has the brain and the strength. Quite incredible.

[sadtom]

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For one of the goals hos combination play woth Russell was sublime and shows football brains will always over come brawn. In the same move Vierea was made to look very ordinary.

Clearly not a philosophy our manager shares. Unfortunately.

I'd kill to see a current squad member with the touch and vision of RL & JC.
As for CB if there is a better current centre forward in the SPL at playing with his back to goal i haven't seen him. Positioning, touch and distribution bring others into the game was an education for our current players.

As for them playing now? Nah. RL isnt nearly fit enough, though he would still have a few inspired moments.
JC and CB are possibly in good enough condition, allied to the abilty, brains and experiance, to play in the SPL. But only if it was no contact.
Ye cannae take the knocks at that age. 1st stiff challenge would probably do it. A dunt that you probably didnt even notice and ran off in your teens and twenties would be enough to at the very least make you hobble or slow you down to a walk. Still it was good to see them doing the biz in todays more sedate tempo.
Glad i went with my lads. Nice to be able to show them players they had only previously heard about and also to see Paddy and Boab in a Hibs shirt, even if their performance was only neat and tidy if unspetacular.

One thing is for sure Kevin Thomshun should keep his yap shut. JC is still far and away the best ever player from Gala.
Katie, ye couldnae lace JC's boots far less hit a strike like that today. What a goal.

[Sir David Gray]

John Collins is only 43 years old. Yes, that's still a lot older than the vast majority of professional footballers but his performance today was very impressive. I know it was a non-competitive bounce game but his passing, his touch and his vision were all excellent and I think he could still make it at a pretty high level in the Scottish game. Probably not the SPL any more but certainly in the lower leagues.

And what a hit for his goal.