TONY MOWBRAY produced instant results as Hibs
finished third last term to secure a UEFA Cup berth.
They are a best-priced 7-2 to follow up this season
in the betting without the Old Finn.
The Hibs pipped Aberdeen on goal difference last
time and Derek Riordan and Gary O’Connor were
instrumental in their success, scoring 20 and 14
times respectively.
Riordan, Scotland’s Young Player of the Season, has
inevitably been the subject of summer speculation
but remains at the club, despite being
transfer-listed after turning down a new contract.
They might lose him for nothing next summer since
his contract expires next year so don’t be surprised
to see him leave in the winter transfer-window.
Skipper Ian Murray has left to join Rangers, but
otherwise Mowbray has been able to keep his young
squad intact - for now. Striker Derek Riordan, who
scored 20 league goals last term in only 37
appearances, is one of the hottest young properties
in the SPL, while right-back Steven Whittaker is
attracting plenty of attention from the Old Firm.
Scotland international and former Manchester United
trainee Michael Stewart has been brought in to
replace Murray
Defensively they weren’t quite so slick and 49 goals
against was worse than any other top-half team by
some considerable margin.
Hibs has lost captain Ian Murray on a Bosman
transfer to Rangers but so far anyway, they still
have the striking partnership of Derek Riordan and
Garry O'Connor. They scored 34 goals (Riordan 20,
O'Connor 14) between them last season and Riordan
was chosen as Scotland's Young Player of the Year.
Riordan submitted a transfer request but so far no
suitable offers have been received. The challenge
for the youngster this season is to prove that last
season was no flash-in-the-pan.
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