Hibs Fans Make Cup A Priority

Mar 9 2008 By Euan Mclean

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen reckons he could lead Hibs to the SPL title and still have fans moaning about the club's miserable Scottish Cup record.

In his playing days Mixu grew sick of hearing how Hibees haven't lifted the trophy since 1902.

And now he's back as boss the Finn is determined to finally get a 106-year-old monkey off the club's back.

If he can steer his side past Rangers in today's fifth-round replay at Ibrox it would inevitably have the punters believing this might be their time.

Paatelainen said: "Many people say ending that run is the biggest thing they would like to see happen at the club.

"Hibs could win the league and we would still get people going on about how long it has been since we won the cup! Human beings are greedy.

"We want to do well in both competitions but there is a bigger chance in the Cup. That is why there's such a focus on it."

It's not as if Hibs haven't had their chances with two Scottish Cup semi-final appearances in the last three years.

And Paatelainen believes his players are stronger for the experience of their CIS success last term.

He said: "The factwe have guys who won the CIS Cup gives them confidence because they'll realise they can win the Scottish too.

"I know one year we will win it again.We still have a chance and will do our best.

"Rangers are a big wall. We must somehow break through and progress.

"We have plenty of skilful players, powerful guys and others doing different jobs in our team. We've realised we can defeat anybody."

Memories of beating Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox last October should only enhance Hibs' belief today.

The fact they played so well against Celtic for much of last weekend's 2-0 league defeat at Easter Road gives further encouragement.

And Paatelainen reckons there's a big performance coming as more pieces of his jigsaw start to fall into place.

He said: "Somebody will get a hiding soon but I don't think that will happen on Sunday because it's Rangers.

"That we have been competing with the Old Firm at all this season tells you a lot about our youth system and coaches.

"We have to keep the production line going but a lot of quality has left and it's pleasing we are still doing reasonably well.

"We're lacking strong characters in the dressingroom because a lot of our senior players have left.

"Movement is natural and we can't stop it but I know fans are frustrated to see players sold. There is a time for every player to leave a club but it's up to me tomake sure we have somebody to come in and do well."

Mixu's final spying mission took him to Ibrox last week for Rangers'UEFACup clash with Werder Bremen.

But despite a gruelling night against the Bundesliga outfit he doesn't buy into the notion of Gers suffering from a hangover today.

Paatelainen said: "We will be fresher than Rangers but I don't know if it's better to play a midweek game or not.

"I always felt as a player it was better to be in a rhythm and have loads of games.

"It was good to see how Rangers set up against a top European side like Bremen.

"It will be a different mentality against us but you can learn about the way they think and who is in form."