2011–12 Hibernian F.C. season explained
Season 2011–12 for Hibernian was their 13th consecutive season of play in the Scottish Premier League (SPL). The season began on 24 July with a 2–0 home defeat by Celtic, who eliminated Hibs from the Scottish League Cup. With the club near the bottom of the league, manager Colin Calderwood was sacked and replaced with Pat Fenlon in November. Fenlon made several signings during January that helped the club to avoid relegation from the SPL. Hibs also reached the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, but this was lost 5–1 to local rivals Hearts.[1]
Friendlies
Hibs announced details of four friendly pre-season fixtures against Scottish Football League opposition on 18 May 2011.[2] Amid uncertainty over the future of manager Colin Calderwood, linked with a return to English football, Hibs won their first pre-season friendly, against Berwick Rangers.[3] Former Celtic player Cillian Sheridan joined the club on trial[4] and scored in a 3–1 win at East Fife. Hibs made an offer to sign Sheridan, but he eventually joined St Johnstone instead. A match against Barnsley, scheduled for 16 July, was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.[5] [6]
Fixtures
Scottish Premier League
Hibernian started the league season with a home game against Celtic,[7] which ended in a 2–0 defeat.[8] In their second game, Hibs won 1–0 against Inverness CT thanks to an injury time goal by Garry O'Connor.[9] It was their first win in 10 attempts at the Caledonian Stadium.[9] Poor results, particularly at home, meant that Hibs were just one point off the bottom of the league in mid-October.[10] The club also recorded a financial loss of £900,000 for the year ended 31 July 2011, the first bottom line loss in seven years.[11] Hibs sacked manager Colin Calderwood on 6 November 2011, two days before the club AGM.[12] Billy Brown, who had been sacked by Hearts in August and then hired by Hibs as assistant manager, was made caretaker manager.[13]
Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon was recruited as the new Hibs manager later in November.[14] His first game officially in charge, an away match against Motherwell, was abandoned at half-time due to safety reasons.[15] A small fire had broken out inside the floodlights during the first half.[15] Hibs earned only one point from Fenlon's first five matches in charge. After an Edinburgh derby defeat on 2 January, Hibs were still just one point above the bottom position.[16] Despite progressing to the semi-final of the Scottish Cup, Hibs continued to struggle in the SPL and are in a two-way fight with Dunfermline to avoid relegation.[17] A win against Inverness lifted Hibs six points clear of the Fife club with six games to play.[18]
Hibs went into the post-split fixtures in 11th place, seven points ahead of Dunfermline, who occupied the relegation position.[19] Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies said that they would need to win their first post-split fixture, against St Mirren, to stand a realistic chance of avoiding relegation.[20] Dunfermline took four points from their first two games after the split, while Hibs suffered two 1–0 defeats, which cut the gap to three points.[21] Hibs responded by winning 2–1 at Aberdeen, which meant that Dunfermline needed to beat Hibs in their next match to avoid relegation.[22] Hibs ended any relegation worries, however, with a 4–0 victory.[23]
Fixtures
Scottish Cup
Hibs entered the 2011–12 Scottish Cup in the fourth round, with an away tie against Second Division leaders Cowdenbeath.[24] [25] Hibs conceded the opening goal after just 19 seconds, but recovered to win 3–2.[26] In the fifth round, Hibs were drawn to play the winner of a replay between Dundee and Kilmarnock.[27] Kilmarnock won 2–1 in that replay and advanced to the fifth round tie against Hibs.[28] Hibs beat Kilmarnock 1–0 in the tie, with Irish striker Eoin Doyle scoring the only goal of the game.[29] This meant that Hibs progressed to the quarter-final, and were drawn against the winner of a postponed tie between First Division clubs Ayr United and Falkirk.[30] Ayr won 2–1 against Falkirk to set up the tie against Hibs.[31]
Hibs progressed to the semi-finals, for the first time since 2007, with a 2–0 win at Somerset Park. The semi-final draw paired Hibs with Aberdeen, while league leaders Celtic were drawn against the winners of a replay between Hearts and St Mirren.[32] A late goal by Leigh Griffiths gave Hibs a 2–1 victory against Aberdeen, and therefore a place in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final.[33] Hearts defeated Celtic in the second semi-final to set up a first Edinburgh derby in a Scottish Cup Final since 1896.[34]
The final, however, ended in a 5–1 defeat for Hibs, extending their wait to win the Scottish Cup.[1] Hibs went 2–0 down inside 30 minutes, but James McPake scored for Hibs just before half-time.[1] The decisive moment came just after half-time, when referee Craig Thomson awarded a penalty kick to Hearts (which was converted) and sent off Pa Kujabi for a second yellow card.[1] Hearts added two further goals in the second half to complete the scoring.[1] Hibs manager Pat Fenlon apologised to the Hibs supporters for the lack of desire shown by their players.[35] Former Hibs captain Murdo MacLeod described their display as inept and only absolved McPake from his criticism.[36]
Fixtures
Scottish League Cup
Having failed to qualify for European competition in the previous season, Hibernian entered the Scottish League Cup at the second round stage. The club were drawn to play Berwick Rangers at home.[37] Hibs progressed to the third round with a comfortable victory.[38] In the third round, Hibs were drawn in one of the two all-SPL ties, away to Motherwell.[39] Hibs won on a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw at Fir Park.[40] They were again drawn against SPL opposition in the quarter-final, at home to Celtic.[41] [42] Hibs took an early lead in that tie, but were eventually beaten 4–1.[43]
Fixtures
Transfers
Hibs announced on 29 April that 10 players would be released at the end of their contracts, including loan signing Darryl Duffy.[44] The first two signings of the summer by Hibs were to bring back former heroes Ivan Sproule and Garry O'Connor. This move was questioned by former manager John Hughes, who asked whether they would show the sharpness necessary in their attacking positions.[45] After O'Connor scored a match-winning goal early in the season, however, The Scotsman football writer Stuart Bathgate questioned this logic.[46] After a week in which Hibs signed Isaiah Osbourne and Phil Airey, manager Colin Calderwood commented that he was still looking for more additions to the squad.[47]
Calderwood was sacked in November 2011 and replaced by Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon, who returned to Ireland to make his first signing, Sligo Rovers striker Eoin Doyle. In January 2012, Hibs released Junior Agogo, Victor Pálsson and Matt Thornhill. Towards the end of January, Fenlon made several additions to the squad, mainly using the loan market. These signings, particularly central defender James McPake, helped Hibs to retain their position in the SPL and a placed in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final.[48]
Players in
Players out
Loans in
Loans out
Player stats
During the 2011–12 season, Hibs used 35 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.
[91]
|}
See also
External links
Notes and References
- News: Hibernian 1–5 Hearts. BBC Sport. BBC. 19 May 2012. 21 May 2012. Andy. Campbell.
- News: Friendly Dates Announced. Hibernian F.C. official website. 18 May 2011. 18 May 2011. 27 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120327190555/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20110518/friendly-dates-announced_2262950_2362344. dead.
- News: Calderwood leads Hibs to win. Sporting Life. 2 July 2011. 2 July 2011.
- News: Cillian Sheridan delighted to join Hibs on trial. BBC Sport. 8 July 2011. 8 July 2011. Annie. McGuire.
- News: Barnsley Game Called Off. 16 July 2011. 16 July 2011. Hibernian F.C.. 21 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721004031/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20110716/barnsley-game-called-off_2262950_2394292. dead.
- News: Scottish friendly matches called off due to rain. BBC Sport. 16 July 2011. 16 July 2011.
- News: SPL fixtures: Hibs play host to Celtic on first day. 17 June 2011. 11 July 2011. David. Bohill. Daily Record.
- Web site: Hibernian 0 - 2 Celtic . BBC . BBC Sport . 24 July 2011 . 24 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110724170651/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14242114.stm. 24 July 2011 . live.
- News: Inverness CT 0-1 Hibernian: O'Connor goal breaks Hibs' long-standing Highland hoodoo. The Scotsman. Johnston Press. Martin. Hannan. 1 August 2011. 3 August 2011.
- News: Hibs' unhappy birthday. Colin. Moffat. BBC. 18 October 2011. 18 October 2011. BBC Sport.
- News: Hibernian post annual loss for the first time in seven years. BBC. 18 October 2011. 18 October 2011. BBC Sport.
- News: Colin Calderwood sacked as Hibernian manager. BBC. 6 November 2011. 6 November 2011. BBC Sport. Brian. McLauchlin.
- News: Billy Brown given Hibs caretaker role. BBC. 19 November 2011. 7 November 2011. BBC Sport.
- News: Hibernian appoint Pat Fenlon as new manager. 25 November 2011. BBC Sport. BBC. 25 November 2011.
- News: BBC Sport. BBC. Floodlight failure sees 'Well v Hibs game abandoned. 2 December 2011. 2 December 2011.
- News: Hibernian need manager stability, feels Paatelainen. BBC. 3 January 2012. 3 January 2012. BBC Sport.
- News: Chick Young on the SPL's relegation battle. Chick. Young. BBC Sport. BBC. 27 March 2012. 1 April 2012.
- News: Inverness CT 2–3 Hibernian. Crawford. Montgomery. BBC Sport. BBC. 1 April 2012. 1 April 2012.
- News: Hibs must improve dire post-split record . Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. 19 April 2012. 19 April 2012.
- News: Dunfermline must beat St Mirren to beat drop - Jefferies. BBC Sport. BBC. 19 April 2012. 19 April 2012.
- News: St Mirren 1–0 Hibernian. BBC Sport. BBC. 29 April 2012. 29 April 2012.
- News: Hibs manager Pat Fenlon emphasise league win importance. BBC Sport. BBC. 2 May 2012. 2 May 2012.
- News: Hibernian 4–0 Dunfermline. BBC Sport. BBC. 7 May 2012. 8 May 2012. Andy. Campbell.
- News: Auchinleck Talbot face Hearts in Scottish Cup. BBC Sport. BBC. 22 November 2011. 22 November 2011.
- News: Cowdenbeath aim to dump Hibs out of Scottish Cup. Brian. McLauchlin. BBC Sport. BBC. 5 January 2012. 7 January 2011.
- News: Cowdenbeath 2 - 3 Hibernian. BBC Sport. BBC. Colin. Moffat. 7 January 2012. 7 January 2011.
- News: Rangers face Scottish Cup test against Dundee United. BBC Sport. BBC. 9 January 2012. 9 January 2012.
- News: Kilmarnock 2-1 Dundee . BBC Sport. BBC. 17 January 2012. 18 January 2012.
- News: Hibernian 1–0 Kilmarnock. Andy. Campbell. BBC Sport. BBC. 4 February 2012. 4 February 2012.
- News: Dundee Utd drawn to face Scottish Cup holders Celtic. BBC Sport. BBC. 6 February 2012. 6 February 2012.
- News: Ayr 2–1 Falkirk. BBC Sport. BBC. 15 February 2012. 15 February 2012.
- News: Celtic await winners of Scottish Cup replay in semi-finals. BBC Sport. BBC. 11 March 2012. 11 March 2012.
- News: Aberdeen 1–2 Hibernian. Clive. Lindsay. BBC Sport. BBC. 14 April 2012. 11 March 2012.
- News: Celtic 1–2 Hearts. Clive. Lindsay. BBC Sport. BBC. 15 April 2012. 15 April 2012.
- News: Pat Fenlon says sorry to Hibs fans after Scottish Cup final defeat. BBC Sport. BBC. 19 May 2012. 21 May 2012.
- News: Shocker from my old team. Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Murdo. MacLeod. 21 May 2012. 21 May 2012.
- News: Aberdeen meet Dundee in League Cup. BBC Sport. BBC. 2 August 2011. 2 August 2011.
- News: Hibernian 5 - 0 Berwick. BBC Sport. BBC. 23 August 2011. 23 August 2011.
- News: Celtic draw Ross County in League Cup third round. BBC Sport. BBC. 29 August 2011. 20 September 2011.
- News: Motherwell 2 - 2 Hibernian. BBC Sport. BBC. 20 September 2011. 20 September 2011.
- News: Scottish League Cup draw sees Hibernian host Celtic. BBC Sport. BBC. 22 September 2011. 22 September 2011.
- News: BBC to screen Hibernian v Celtic in Scottish League Cup. BBC Sport. BBC. 24 September 2011. 24 September 2011.
- News: Hibernian 1 - 4 Celtic. BBC Sport. Annie. McGuire. BBC. 26 October 2011. 26 October 2011.
- News: Hibernian to release 10 players. BBC Sport. 29 April 2011. 17 May 2011.
- News: Garry O'Connor is Hibs gamble - John Hughes. BBC Sport. 25 June 2011. 25 June 2011.
- News: O'Connor quickly proving naysayers wrong. The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 1 August 2011. 3 August 2011.
- News: Hibernian still in the hunt for new faces. BBC Sport. BBC. 12 August 2011. 13 August 2011. Brian. McLauchlin.
- News: Loan stars paid off well for Hibs . Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. 7 May 2012. 11 May 2012.
- News: Winger Sproule signs pre-contract deal with Hibernian. BBC. BBC Sport. 18 May 2011. 18 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110429093540/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13216683.stm. 29 April 2011 . live.
- News: Striker Garry O'Connor returns to former club Hibernian. BBC. BBC Sport. 15 June 2011. 15 June 2011.
- News: Defender Sean O'Hanlon joins Hibs in two-year deal. BBC. BBC Sport. 17 June 2011. 17 June 2011.
- News: Striker Joins Hibernian. Hibernian F.C.. 26 July 2011. 26 July 2011. 27 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120327190718/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20110726/striker-joins-hibernian_2262950_2402420. dead.
- News: Isaiah Osbourne completes move to Hibernian. Brian . McLauchlin. BBC Sport. BBC. 10 August 2011. 10 August 2011.
- News: Edwin de Graaf out, Adam Mitter in at Hibs. BBC Sport. BBC. 1 September 2011. 3 September 2011.
- News: Hibernian sign up striker Eoin Doyle. BBC Sport. BBC. 22 December 2011. 22 December 2011.
- News: Hibernian sign 'Gambian Roberto Carlos' Pa Saikou Kujabi. BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2012. 31 January 2012.
- News: Former Hibs midfielder John Rankin joins Dundee United. BBC . BBC Sport. 17 May 2011. 17 May 2011.
- News: Pools clinch Nish deal. 27 June 2011. 27 June 2011. Sky Sports.
- News: McBride Signs . https://archive.today/20120728172146/http://www.acciesfc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1631:mcbride-signs&catid=44:news&Itemid=140 . dead . 28 July 2012 . acciesfc.co.uk . . 14 October 2011 . 14 October 2011 .
- News: McCann signs . . 22 August 2011 . 22 August 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110929061616/http://www.gmfc.net/News/%26action%3Dfullnews%26id%3D581 . 29 September 2011 .
- News: Flynn on board . cowdenbeathfc.com . Cowdenbeath F.C.. 3 July 2011 . 4 July 2011 .
- News: Ross County snap up two more. 14 June 2011. 14 June 2011. Ross-shire Journal. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722131052/http://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/Sport/Football/Ross-County-snap-up-two-more-14062011.htm. 22 July 2011. dead.
- Web site: Gateshead in quadruple signing . gateshead-fc.com . . 27 July 2011 . 2 August 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120926174556/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/3498/gateshead-in-quadruple-signing . 26 September 2012 .
- News: The Francis Dickoh in ARH . arisfc.gr . . 18 August 2011 . 18 August 2011 . el . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110923165046/http://www.arisfc.gr/web/guest/news . 23 September 2011 .
- News: Liam Miller leaves Hibs for Perth Glory in Australia. BBC . BBC Sport. 3 June 2011. 3 June 2011.
- News: 3 August 2011. 3 August 2011. Sky Sports. British Sky Broadcasting. Tykes take Vaz Te.
- News: Ricardo Vaz Te and Jakub Divis exit Hibs as Colin Calderwood eyes forwards. https://archive.today/20121209122219/http://www.scotsman.com/hibernianfc/Ricardo-Vaz-Te-and-Jakub.6786489.jp. dead. 9 December 2012. Graham. Bean. The Scotsman. 17 June 2011. 17 June 2011.
- News: Former Hibs forward Derek Riordan joins Shaanxi Chanba. BBC. BBC Sport. 7 July 2011. 7 July 2011. Chris. McLaughlin. https://web.archive.org/web/20110708033521/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14065566.stm. 8 July 2011 . live.
- News: Excelsior trekt transfervrije routinier De Graaf aan. Voetbal International. 1 September 2011. 3 September 2011. nl.
- News: SJFA News - Wednesday, 28 September 2011 . . . 28 September 2011 . 24 October 2011 .
- News: One in One Out at the Glebe. John. Hoey. brechincity.com. Brechin City FC. 6 January 2012. 7 January 2012.
- News: Winger Departure Confirmed . hibernianfc.co.uk . . 6 January 2012 . 6 January 2012 . 10 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120110212449/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20120106/winger-departure-confirmed_2262950_2568286 . dead .
- News: Red Bulls Sign Midfielder Victor Palsson. 10 February 2012. 11 February 2012. New York Red Bulls. newyorkredbulls.com. 14 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120214023142/http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2012/02/red-bulls-sign-midfielder-victor-palsson. dead.
- News: Bucks lifeline for Hibs star . David . Watters . 16 November 2012 . 16 November 2012 . Northern Premier League . https://web.archive.org/web/20121119063939/http://evostikleague.pitchero.com/bucks-lifeline-for-hibs-star-11609/ . 19 November 2012 . dead .
- News: Hibs release Junior Agogo after Thornhill and Palsson exits. BBC Sport. BBC. 13 January 2012. 13 January 2012.
- Web site: Junior Agogo: Ex-Ghana, Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers striker dies aged 40 . BBC Sport. 22 August 2019 . 22 August 2019.
- News: St Johnstone to sign Michael Hart as Carl Finnigan joins Dundee. BBC Sport. BBC. 21 February 2012. 21 February 2012.
- Web site: Akpo Sodje ya se entrena con las filas del Tianjin Teda chino . planetafichajes.com . 8 March 2012 . es . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131106163114/http://www.planetafichajes.com/2012/03/akpo-sodje-ya-se-entrena-con-las-filas.html . 6 November 2013 .
- News: Striker Akpo Sodje and Hibernian agree to part company. BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2012. 31 January 2012.
- News: Hibs sign Newcastle striker Phil Airey on loan. BBC. BBC Sport. 11 August 2011. 11 August 2011.
- News: Celtic's Richie Towell rejoins Hibernian. BBC Sport. BBC. 25 August 2011. 25 August 2011.
- Web site: Hibs clinch Griffiths loan. Sky Sports . BSkyB . 27 August 2011 . 27 August 2011 .
- News: Hibs sign Norwich defender George Francomb on loan. BBC. BBC Sport. 12 January 2012. 12 January 2012.
- News: Stoke's Tom Soares and Coventry's James McPake join Hibs on loan. BBC. BBC Sport. 23 January 2012. 23 January 2012.
- News: Claros signs. Hibernianfc.co.uk. Hibernian F.C.. 31 January 2012. 31 January 2012. 3 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120203000857/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20120131/claros-signs_2262950_2595560. dead.
- News: Coventry's O'Donovan and Wolves' Doherty loaned to Hibs. BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2012. 31 January 2012.
- Web site: City Sign Defender and Winger . brechincity.com . . 26 August 2011 . 27 August 2011 .
- News: Hibernian Youngster Signs on loan . stranraerfc.org . . 22 September 2011 . 11 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111003073545/http://www.stranraerfc.org/index.php/77-latest-news/130-hiberian-youngster-signs-on-loan . 3 October 2011 . dead.
- Web site: Shire Take Lewis on Loan . . 8 November 2011 . 9 November 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406114055/http://www.eaststirlingshirefc.com/2011/11/08/shire-take-lewis-on-loan/ . 6 April 2012 . dead.
- News: Loan Transfer Update. https://archive.today/20130420111426/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20120328/loan-transfer-update_2262950_2698775. dead. 20 April 2013. hibernianfc.co.uk. Hibernian F.C.. 28 March 2012. 28 March 2012.
- Web site: Hibernian 2011/2012 player appearances. Soccerbase. 24 July 2011.