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SPL October 2010
Scottish Premier League News October 2010: Hibs boss John Hughes wins the sack race
Ali Hannah
Celtic
Neil Lennon will turn a blind eye to whatever happens at Ibrox over the next few weeks as he continues to drive Celtic towards his goal of capturing the Clydesdale Bank Premier League back from Rangers.
Walter Smith's side have battled back from behind in their last three SPL games, but both halves of the Old Firm have now won their opening seven league games to leave them tied at the top of the table.
They go head to head in October but Lennon has insisted that he is fully focused on his own job and won't be looking over his shoulder at what is going on at Ibrox.
Lennon said: "We can't dictate what Rangers do. We have to look after our own results and we did that. The consistency that both teams are showing is something to be admired and we will keep pushing and trying to improve.”
Meanwhile, former Celtic striker John Hartson believes Lennon has instilled a similar winning mentality in the team as they enjoyed as players under Martin O'Neill.
Lennon has guided Celtic to 14 consecutive Clydesdale Bank Premier League wins since replacing Tony Mowbray, initially as caretaker manager, in March.
His stewardship has clearly not all been plain sailing - Celtic have endured some miserable cup results against Ross County, Braga and Utrecht.
But Hartson has praised Lennon for the way he has recovered from the two European exits to keep pace with Rangers in the SPL ahead of Saturday's visit of Hamilton.
"There are people waiting for them to slip up all the time," Hartson said.
"Sometimes they don't play very well and still manage to win, which is something we did under Martin O'Neill.
"We didn't always play well but someone would pop up with a goal, normally Henrik (Larsson).
"I watched them play against Kilmarnock, they didn't play great but managed to win.
"That is something Neil has instilled in the players and it's a great habit to have.
"Obviously the European thing was disappointing and no one knows that more than the manager. I think a lot of the fans were a bit undecided but the crowds are picking up again and they are on a great run.
"I think he has done exceptionally well to recover from going out in Europe."
Rangers
Walter Smith has urged the SPL to follow Fifa's example by scheduling fixtures to assist leading clubs with their Champions League commitments.
Rangers had to play Hearts at Tynecastle just 62 and a half hours after the dust had settled on their 1-0 win over Bursaspor in the Champions League.
It was the first of five successive away fixtures the Scottish champions will play in the SPL immediately after being in Champions League action, with trips to Celtic, St Mirren, Dundee United and Inverness following their remaining Group C games.
Having seen a benefit from Fifa's decision to switch international 'double header' qualifying matches to Friday and Tuesday evenings in order to allow players more recovery time ahead of their clubs' next games, Smith believes the SPL should consider offering similar dispensation to those teams representing them in Europe.
"I don't want to get into fixture arguments with anyone," said the Rangers manager, "But, setting aside our own situation at the moment, they should have a look at the overall situation in regard to Scottish clubs playing in Europe to see if they could move games back a day.
"Valencia, for example, have managed to get their league game at Barcelona moved back a day before they play us in the next Champions League fixture. They seem to be able to do that whether it is televised or not.
"For us to play at Aberdeen last Sunday, then in the Champions League on Wednesday and now practically on Saturday morning certainly gives us a test, especially when other Scottish clubs are playing Saturday to Saturday with no midweek games.
"You have to ask an awful lot of players to get the same intensity into their game. The same applies with international games when the boys go away for what are normally high-intensity and high-profile matches. Coming back from that is not easy.
"From that point of view, it has been a big help having the international games a day earlier. It gives players time to recover for the following weekend with their club. That is recognition that something can be done to help clubs.
"I would hope in the future the SPL would do what they can to help any team in Europe. It would help all of the clubs."
Smith previously locked horns with the SPL on the issue at the end of the 2007-08 season when Rangers played their final six league matches in a 19-day period prior to the UEFA Cup Final. He dismissed the prospect of asking the SPL to make any changes to Rangers' schedule over the coming months.
"We asked previously and were knocked back," added Smith. "I don't want to make a big fuss about this as it is done.”
Meanwhile, Rangers pair Lee McCulloch and Kirk Broadfoot are doubtful for Scotland as the national side prepare for the upcoming Euro 2012 games in Prague and at Hampden. Craig Levein's plan to overcome Czech Republic and Spain may have to be altered with the Rangers duo suffering from injuries that ruled both out of Rangers' last domestic win.
McCulloch, who is suspended for the Czech Republic game on Friday night, has a hip problem that may see him ruled out of next Tuesday's clash with the world champions. Broadfoot missed Rangers' last SPL game with a foot injury that is likely to see him sent home after being assessed by Scotland's medical team.
Of the two, McCulloch's injury is potentially the more damaging to Scotland's hopes, even with the player's suspension meaning he can only play the second match of the double-header. With Paul Hartley and Kevin Thomson already ruled out, Gary Caldwell is expected to take up a defensive midfield role in Prague.
The Wigan player is just returning from injury himself though, and is unlikely to be fit to play two full games in four days. McCulloch was therefore expected to return for the Spain match but doubt over his availability could give manager Levein a selection headache.
Scotland have been given a boost though, with the news that the Czech FA are having difficulties drumming up interest for the match at the Synot Tip Arena. Scotland fans have taken up their full allocation for the game but the Czech FA have had to make a public appeal to their support to take up the remaining tickets at the 20,800 capacity stadium.
"All our players want a full stadium for this game - but we want it to be full of mainly Czech fans, who can cheer us to victory,” the governing body said.
"We know there has been enormous interest in the match from Scottish fans, who are among the best and most loyal in the world. Therefore, we ask again our Czech fans who care about our football to buy a ticket.
"We want the stadium to be full of sounds, colours and atmosphere which can help us to an important victory against Scotland. But we want them to be Czech, not Scottish."
Hibs
Hibs boss John Hughes became the first casualty of the Scottish season when he today dramatically left Easter Road as the club's miserable start to the season left the Edinburgh outfit just one point off the bottom of the SPL table.
Hughes' departure after 16 months in charge came to an end by "mutual consent".
Petrie said: "John has been a hard-working and dedicated manager of Hibernian. As a former captain, and as a fan, he recognises that a fresh face and new approach was the best option for the club at this time. We thank him for all of his hard work and for his honesty and passion for the club."
Hughes said: "I have relished every minute of my time at Hibernian, the club I have always supported and which will always have a special place in my heart. I am proud of what we achieved last season and I wish the board, players and supporters every success."
A parting of the ways was imminent after goals from Saints substitutes Liam Craig and Marcus Harber at McDiarmid Park added to Hibs' miserable start to the season, the Edinburgh club having taken just five points from their opening 21 games.
And, for a side which was being tipped to split the Old Firm less than a year ago, Hughes' players now trail Rangers and Celtic by a massive 16 points with many fans now fearing a relegation battle rather than a tilt at the title.
Hibs supporters have become increasingly agitated in recent weeks, draws at home against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hamilton drawing jeers on the final whistle while Hughes was left in no doubt as to where some fans wanted him to go as they watched his side crash out of the Cooperative Insurance Cup, beaten 3-1 by former Easter Road boss Mixu Paatelainen's Kilmarnock.
And Hughes was again the target on Saturday, chants of "you don't know what you're doing" clearly audible as the Hibs manager refused to turn to his bench in a bid to turn the match back in Hibs' favour following Craig's opener 15 minutes from time.
Hughes claimed in the aftermath of the result, which leaves Hibs with just one win in ten matches this season, that he didn't feel under pressure and he had the backing of chairman Rod Petrie who, he said, "Knows exactly what is going on, what needs to be done and the work that's being put in". However, he's well aware football is a results-driven business.
On that score, Hibs' record in 2010 has been dreadful, now amounting to a miserable nine wins in 36 games, those victories including Scottish Cup triumphs over Junior outfit Irvine Meadow and Montrose, then bottom of the Third Division.
Throughout the Hibs board under Petrie have backed their manager as he's sought to strengthen his squad, Edwin de Graaf, Michael Hart, David Stephens, Francis Dickoh, Jonathan Grounds, Darryl Duffy - although he is currently out with a broken foot - and Valdas Trakys all signed over the course of the past few months.
Despite those arrivals results haven't improved, a situation which many feel will lead, albeit reluctantly, to the club seeking another new manager sooner rather than later.
Circumstances today are in stark contrast to those when the former Hibs skipper returned to Easter Road 16 months ago to take up what he described as the best job in Scotland, fulfilling a dream he had held since his playing days at the club had come to an end.
Although he guided Hibs back into Europe for the first time in five years, their participation in the Europa League was brought to an abrupt end by Slovenian side NK Maribor and Hughes has been unable to turn results around.
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