Hibernian must decide and consolidate

WHEN Hibernian announced their new caretaker coach was to be a chap from Iceland such was his anonymity he could have been manager of the freezer-food store's branch in the east end of Edinburgh for all anybody knew. Gudjon Thordarson, anyone? He may be the former coach of Stoke and Barnsley but his name hardly registers on the radar.

Thousands of Hibernian supporters had their own Bart Simpson style ''who the hell are you?'' moments when Thordarson took his place in the Easter Road stand for the game against Dundee.

Who could blame them as he isn't the first person you think of when you mention Icelandic football. Granted you don't think of that many but surely with people like Davy Hay, Tommy Burns, John Robertson and Alan Kernaghan all interested in the managers' job, there are better candidates to take over.

Despite that Thordarson has been brought in for the last three games of the SPL season, each of them meaningless encounters in the bottom half of the league. Just what the point of the exercise is is anybody's guess.

If you are looking for conspiracy theories then Rod Petrie, the club's chief executive, wasn't at Easter Road on Saturday and may be making a last-ditch attempt to get a big name candidate to save face and the credibility of the club.

Bobby Williamson moaned long and hard about the antics of the Hibs board and he will be laughing at the latest development. Gerry McCabe and Jim Clark, the men currently in charge at Easter Road, will join him at Plymouth at the end of the season but are more than capable of taking the first team until then.

Despite that Hibs have brought in the Icelander but insist his appointment is only for three games. As Tom McManus said after Saturday's match: ''That's the shortest term deal I have ever heard of.''

Clearly Thordarson, who is currently out of work, wouldn't just take over for three games unless he had a tentative agreement he could get the job full time if he impresses. He must certainly think so as he brought his whole family to Easter Road on Saturday. You don't do that if you think you'll only be in charge for a short time unless you simply fancy a free weekend in Scotland's capital.

The latest off the field mess Hibs have got themselves into over the vacant managers' role took the shine off what was a decent performance. Grant Brebner returned to the midfield after being out with a broken arm and once Ian Murray, the club captain, returns from injury and the youngsters start to settle in a bit more they will have a good side.

One man who may not be at Easter Road for much longer is Derek Riordan, whose season ended on Saturday after he picked up an ankle injury which will keep him out for six weeks. The striker netted his 18th goal of the current campaign against Dundee and was watched by scouts from Charlton, Spurs and Cardiff City.

He has lightning reflexes and managed to flick home a knock-down from Colin Murdock to give his side all three points. He caused havoc for most of the game but ended up being carried off on a stretcher late on after picking up the ankle knock.

For all the uncertainty over who the new Hibs manager will be it was Tam McManus who made a serious point regarding the whole sorry affair.

''We didn't meet the new caretaker manager either before or after the game on Saturday,'' said McManus. ''We assume we'll meet him today (Monday). I have another three years left on my contract here but some of the players are out of contract in the summer. They are apprehensive as they want to know what the future holds for them and whether they are staying or going.''

McManus is right as the prevarication by the Hibs board is playing fast and loose with people's livelihoods and a quick decision on who the new permanent manager should be has to be made soon.

From a Dundee point of view they will think themselves unlucky not to take anything from the game. Nacho Novo put in another magnificent display and wherever he ends up next season - be it Celtic, Rangers or a leading English club - he is sure to be a great success.

He is difficult to push off the ball, has great pace and a football brain that can confuse the most experienced of defenders. He put in a great shift for Dundee and if he does move south in the summer he will be a great loss to Scottish football.