Hibs Blog

Credit rating company, Equifax has released details of the ratings of SPL clubs.  As you’d expect, Hibs fare pretty well, coming in 3rd place behind St. Mirren and St. Johnstone who both had maximum points of 100.  Hibs have 87 points which Equifax rate as an “A” – Very Good Score.  The funny stuff comes nearer the bottom were Hearts are listed as “insolvent” which comes as no real surprise but is still nice to see from an authoritative source.  Motherwell are also listed as insolvent and Hamilton get 2 points.

I was amused to see Dundee United at 42 points but actually that’s a “D” – Avergae Score. 42 is pretty good when compared to the English Premiership teams, only 5 of whom get over 50 points and 11 of whom are technically insolvent.

So, what does it all mean? Absolutely bugger all.  More recession scaremongery and a company (Equifax) inventing a press release purely for the publicity.

EQUIFAX’S SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE CREDIT RATINGS TABLE

*Motherwell Football and Athletic Club Limited is a company voluntary arrangement, so automatically given zero points and insolvency rating.

EQUIFAX’S PREMIERSHIP CREDIT RATINGS TABLE

The opening day fixtures for next season’s SPL have been announced. Hibs have St.Mirren at home on the first game of next season. The rest of the fixtures are expected shortly.

Edit: Here are the fixture for the rest of the season: ScotPrem.com

Fantastic to see a derby at Easter Road on 2nd of January 2010.

Aberdeen v Celtic
Dundee Utd v Hearts
Hibernian v St Mirren
Kilmarnock v Hamilton
Rangers v Falkirk
St Johnstone v Motherwell

Hibs confirmed this afternoon that John Hughes is to be the new manager.  The announcement was made on the official website.

Rob Petrie:

“I am delighted to announce that John Hughes has been appointed Manager of Hibernian Football Club

“Appropriate arrangements were agreed with Falkirk Football Club to secure John’s release and John has signed a three year contract with Hibernian. We anticipate that Brian Rice will join John at the Club as Assistant Manager on his return from holiday.”

“The search for a new manager is always a difficult task and after a very thorough process we were fortunate to have a number of exceptional candidates. John Hughes was the unanimous choice of the Board not for his exploits as a former player, but for his credentials as a manager, his style of football and his potential to bring success to the Club on the field of play.

“I am sure too that John will galvanize everyone connected with Hibernian and drive the club forward. The Board will never lose sight of the requirement for Hibernian FC to be competing for honours and we see John as the ideal candidate to achieve this.”

Yogi:

“This is a very proud day for me. I am delighted to be the Manager of Hibernian.

“My future now lies with Hibernian and I believe I will bring innovation and an attractive style of passing football to the Club. I can’t wait to start working with the players and get down to business at the training centre.”

It seems that Hibs have made their first summer signng in a second Moroccan player called Benjelloun (although the original Benji is on loan, he’s not likely to return). Benjelloun “Benji II” Youness is a defender from Olympiakos Nikosia of Cyprus. Wikipedia seems to have the most up to date information on the player: New Benji

His stats aren’t exactly outstanding although he has spent a lot of time at Paris St.Germain without actually playing. Hopefully we’ll see a bit more of him at Hibs.

Presumably this signing had more or less gone through prior to MIxu leaving. Signing defenders does seem to be further confirmation that Rob Jones is on his way out of Easter Road.

Artur Boruc in better times

Rumours aboud online and offline that Celtic’s Polish goal keeper, Artur Boruc is about to be investigated for match fixing.  If it is true (and I’m sure it’s just a horrible rumour), this would bring his recent blunders into question, especially John Rankin’s “squiggler” against him at Easter Road.

Artur Boruc has always been a controversial player.  His well publicised drinking problems, regular gesturing and reacting to opposition fans and generally being a fat waste of space have turned him from being supposedly one of Europe’s top keepers to an all round joke.  Believing he could be involved in match fixing is too easy.

Boruc was in the headlines most recently last week when he punched team mate Aiden Mcgeady in the face during training, so he’s not all bad.

That this rumour has started just before an Old Firm derby is no surprise and suggests it’s a load of bollocks.  Easy to believe bollocks but bollocks none the less.

Artur Boruc says internet drug fail rumours are rubbish in The News of the Screws.