THIS domestic season, even by the Pythonesque standards of Scottish football, has been wonderfully bonkers.
The sub-plots have had sub-plots. And in turn there have been sub-sub plots. If I went to go on any longer, I could imagine Graham Chapman appearing to say: “Stop that, stop that. It’s all getting too silly.”
Among the plethora of stories, both good and bad, one which hasn’t been ignored but most certainly deserves all the recognition in the world, is what has been happening down Leith way.
Read more: Could fear of being axed by Steven Gerrard help Rangers pip Aberdeen and Hibs to second spot?
What a season this has been for Hibernian.
This great old football club spent three years in the Championship, which would be the death knell for a few. Leeann Dempster, the big boss, deserves a statue outside of Easter Road.
She kept the lights on, made sure the squad was as strong as money would allow, delivered Alan Stubbs and then Neil Lennon, and the first season back in the Premiership has been extraordinary.
Hibs need one more point to finish with their highest total in the top flight, since three points for a win was introduced.
And while it isn’t in their hands, Leith’s finest could secure European football and even second place.
When on their game, this is the country’s most exciting team and, yes, that includes Celtic.
Speaking of the champions, it is Hibs who gave Brendan Rodgers’ men their toughest test, beating them once and drawing twice. Four times this season, Lennon’s men have scored twice against the best team in the country.
Hibs have also won twice at Ibrox, taken part in the best game of the Premiership season, the recent 5-3 win victory over Kilmarnock and have, as many of us expected, been a terrific addition to the league. Good on them.
Their manager is a big personality and Lennon’s character shines through his players who have that winning mentality that the gaffer was known for. He’s hard on them, maybe too hard on occasion, but he is the right man at the club at the right time.
Read more: Tam McManus: Bang the drum loud, our game is great right now
Hibs should have beaten Aberdeen on Saturday, but there wasn’t a lot in it. The first half was a right good watch. The visitors missed a penalty, Jamie Maclaren the culprit. and he missed an arguably even easier chance, while for the home side, Niall McGinn was denied a superb goal from a free-kick by the crossbar – as if woodwork can move to keep out a ball.
Aberdeen face Rangers tomorrow and a win would mean European football for them. Should that happen and Hibs slip up, then they will finish second for the fourth season in a row.
And to think there are some who don’t rate Derek McInnes.
But this is a Hibs piece, sorry Dandies, and one of their success stories has been Dylan McGeouch.
This is a player who has had more than his fair share of injury problems throughout his career and on Saturday, when he came off the bench, was more Phantom of the Opera than midfield maestro – he wore a mask to protect a fractured bone in his cheek – but has thrived this season.
And the playmaker revealed that the players always thought they were good enough to do something special.
Read more: Could fear of being axed by Steven Gerrard help Rangers pip Aberdeen and Hibs to second spot?
McGeouch said: “In house we always had that belief. The manager said it a few times, that we were the second best team in Scotland. But we always kept it cool and we knew the first season back would be difficult.
“Maybe aim for top six then once we broke into that look at top four and now we’re looking to try to get second.
“It’s great for everyone involved in the club. Since Christmas it’s been positive and the fans are loving it as you saw at this game.
“The next two games are huge. It’s in our hands to see where we end up.”
McInnes made the point that his Aberdeen, along with Hibs and Rangers could finish second, third or fourth depending on how the final two lots of fixtures go.
“That’s all you can ask from the
players really, said Lennon. It’s a great statement of intent from the players – not just for the present but for next season – that they can compete at the highest level in this country.”
Both these teams have been a credit to our game this season. And for that we should all be thankful.
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