Rescued by throw away remark

Jul 13 2008 Scott Mcdermott

YVES MA-KALAMBAY last night revealed a chat with Chelsea idol Petr Cech has helped him recover from the mistakes that threatened to ruin his Hibs career.

The big Belgian keeper came under fierce criticism during his debut SPL season after high-profile howlers against Aberdeen and bitter rivals Hearts.

Goalie blunders have blighted Hibees in recent years and Makalambay didn't look like bucking that trend.

But the 22-year-old insists he was pleased with his start in Scottish football considering he'd never played a first-team game before arriving at Easter Road via PSV Eindhoven and Stamford Bridge.

Yves admits he made some errors but says if his former Blues team-mate Cech can get over his ghastly mistake at Euro 2004 - which cost the Czech Republic a place in the quarter-finals - he can too.

The keeper, set to be selected in Belgium's Olympic squad on Tuesday, said: "My first season at Easter Road had its ups and downs but I didn't have any experience of being a No.1 before.

"I got my first cap for Belgium and became the first African keeper to represent them. With Hibs at one point we had the best defensive record and also won at Ibrox when I was in goal.

"So overall I was happy with what I achieved. Before I came to Scotland I wasn't near the national team. This is still a learning process, I know I'm not the finished article. Hopefully I won't repeat the mistakes of last season.

"In football one day you're a superstar, the next they kill you. The errors wouldn't have been a big deal if I didn't have that 'Hibs goalie' tag.

"I'm a big boy and if I make a blunder I'll recognise it. If the media decide to kill me for a mistake what can I do?

"Everyone expects something from a keeper at Hibs because of the past.

"Coming from Chelsea there was a lot of expectation on me and I believe I can produce. We were top six and fighting for third last season before I got injured.

"This is the first time I've been on a big stage and people had mixed feelings about me.

"But aside from the Aberdeen match last August I had a positive season.

"I know Petr well from Chelsea and his mistake at Euro 2008 proves it can happen to the best in the world. You can save three penalties in a game but drop a cross for a goal and that will make the headline.

"But you have to know your own qualities and be mentally strong. I spoke to Petr after the Euros and he just shrugged it off. His attitude was 'It happens'. He just misjudged the ball and it's all about how you deal with it afterwards."

Yves - who was dropped for yesterday's Intertoto Cup defeat to Elfsborg - knows he'll risk his Easter Road jersey by jetting to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

With young Andy McNeil ready to nick the shirt off him he could find himself rooted to the bench when he returns.

But he is willing to gamble on what he sees as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to savour games against Brazil, China and New Zealand.

The 22-year-old said: "I have big hopes of being in China and if picked I'll miss all Hibs' pre-season games plus the first four SPL matches.

"But the Olympics might only happen for me once and it would be silly to throw that away.

"It's a massive risk but I'll speak to Mixu before I go to see how we'll handle the situation. I want a shot at the Olympics but at the same time I don't want to jeopardise my Hibs career."