2011–12 Hibernian F.C. season
Encyclopedia
Season 2011–12 for Hibernian
is their 13th consecutive season of play in the Scottish Premier League
. The season began on 24 July with a 2–0 home defeat by Celtic
, who eliminated Hibs from the Scottish League Cup
. Hibs will also compete in the Scottish Cup
. Manager Colin Calderwood
was sacked by Hibs on 6 November 2011.
opposition on 18 May 2011. 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
. Former Celtic
player Cillian Sheridan
joined the club on trial 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.
, which ended in a 2–0 defeat. In their second game, Hibs won 1–0 against Inverness CT
thanks to an injury time goal by Garry O'Connor
. It was their first win in 10 attempts at the Caledonian Stadium
. Poor results, particularly at home, meant that Hibs were just one point off the bottom of the league in mid-October. 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. Hibs sacked manager Colin Calderwood
on 6 November 2011, two days before the club AGM
. Billy Brown
, who had been sacked by Hearts
in August and then hired by Hibs as assistant manager, was made caretaker manager.
leaders Cowdenbeath
.
competition in the previous season, Hibernian will enter the Scottish League Cup
at the second round stage. The club were drawn to play Berwick Rangers
at home. Hibs progressed to the third round with a comfortable victory. In the third round, Hibs were drawn in one of the two all-SPL ties, away to Motherwell
. Hibs won on a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw at Fir Park
. They were again drawn against SPL opposition in the quarter-final, at home to Celtic
. Hibs took an early lead in that tie, but were eventually beaten 4–1.
. 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. After O'Connor scored a match-winning goal early in the season, however, The Scotsman
football writer Stuart Bathgate questioned this logic.
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.
|}
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
is their 13th consecutive season of play in the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. The season began on 24 July with a 2–0 home defeat by Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, who eliminated Hibs from the Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
. Hibs will also compete in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
. Manager Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
was sacked by Hibs on 6 November 2011.
Friendlies
Hibs announced details of four friendly pre-season fixtures against Scottish Football LeagueScottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
opposition on 18 May 2011. Amid uncertainty over the future of manager Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
, linked with a return to English football, Hibs won their first pre-season friendly, against Berwick Rangers
Berwick Rangers F.C.
Berwick Rangers Football Club are a football team based in the English Border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, although they play in the Scottish Football League Third Division...
. Former Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
player Cillian Sheridan
Cillian Sheridan
Cillian Sheridan is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for St. Johnstone on loan from CSKA Sofia. Sheridan is an international for the Republic of Ireland...
joined the club on trial and scored in a 3–1 win at East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
. Hibs made an offer to sign Sheridan, but he eventually joined St. Johnstone instead. A match against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, scheduled for 16 July, was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Fixtures
Scottish Premier League
Hibernian started the league season with a home game against CelticCeltic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, which ended in a 2–0 defeat. In their second game, Hibs won 1–0 against Inverness CT
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
thanks to an injury time goal by Garry O'Connor
Garry O'Connor
Garry Lawrence John O'Connor is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays for Hibernian. He has also played for the Scotland international team....
. It was their first win in 10 attempts at the Caledonian Stadium
Caledonian Stadium
The Caledonian Stadium, currently known as the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is an association football stadium situated in the Longman area of Inverness, Scotland...
. Poor results, particularly at home, meant that Hibs were just one point off the bottom of the league in mid-October. 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. Hibs sacked manager Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
on 6 November 2011, two days before the club AGM
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
. Billy Brown
Billy Brown (footballer born 1950)
Billy Brown is a Scottish football former player and coach. He is currently the caretaker manager of Hibernian. Brown played in the Scottish Football League for Motherwell and Raith Rovers...
, who had been sacked by Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in August and then hired by Hibs as assistant manager, was made caretaker manager.
Fixtures
Scottish Cup
Hibs will enter the 2011–12 Scottish Cup in the Fourth Round, with an away tie against Second DivisionScottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
leaders Cowdenbeath
Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
.
Fixtures
Scottish League Cup
Having failed to qualify for EuropeanUEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
competition in the previous season, Hibernian will enter the Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
at the second round stage. The club were drawn to play Berwick Rangers
Berwick Rangers F.C.
Berwick Rangers Football Club are a football team based in the English Border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, although they play in the Scottish Football League Third Division...
at home. Hibs progressed to the third round with a comfortable victory. In the third round, Hibs were drawn in one of the two all-SPL ties, away to Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
. Hibs won on a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw at Fir Park
Fir Park
Fir Park Stadium is a football stadium situated in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.- History :...
. They were again drawn against SPL opposition in the quarter-final, at home to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. Hibs took an early lead in that tie, but were eventually beaten 4–1.
Fixtures
Transfers
Hibs announced on 29 April that 10 players would be released at the end of their contracts, including loan signing Darryl DuffyDarryl Duffy
Darryl Alexander Duffy is a Scottish footballer who is currently playing for Cheltenham Town as a striker.-Club career:...
. The first two signings of the summer by Hibs were to bring back former heroes Ivan Sproule
Ivan Sproule
Ivan Sproule is a Northern Irish professional association football player. Sproule, a winger who is known for his explosive pace, only turned professional after he signed for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian in January 2005, just a month before his 24th birthday...
and Garry O'Connor
Garry O'Connor
Garry Lawrence John O'Connor is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays for Hibernian. He has also played for the Scotland international team....
. This move was questioned by former manager John Hughes, who asked whether they would show the sharpness necessary in their attacking positions. After O'Connor scored a match-winning goal early in the season, however, The Scotsman
The Scotsman
The Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
football writer Stuart Bathgate questioned this logic.
After a week in which Hibs signed Isaiah Osbourne and Phil Airey
Phil Airey
Philip Airey is an English footballer, currently playing for Premier League club Newcastle United as a striker. Airey has also previously played for Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.-Club career:...
, manager Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
commented that he was still looking for more additions to the squad.
Players in
| Player | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|
 Ivan SprouleIvan Sproule Ivan Sproule is a Northern Irish professional association football player. Sproule, a winger who is known for his explosive pace, only turned professional after he signed for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian in January 2005, just a month before his 24th birthday... |
 Bristol CityBristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
Free |
 Garry O'ConnorGarry O'Connor Garry Lawrence John O'Connor is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays for Hibernian. He has also played for the Scotland international team.... |
Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
Free |
 Sean O'HanlonSean O'Hanlon Sean Philip O'Hanlon is an English footballer who plays for Hibernian.-Career:O'Hanlon started his career in his native Liverpool with Everton, but he did not make an appearance for their first team... |
Milton Keynes Dons Milton Keynes Dons F.C. .Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire... |
Free |
 Junior AgogoJunior Agogo Manuel "Junior" Agogo is a Ghanaian professional footballer. He is a striker and currently plays for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian. He has spent most of his career in England, as well as spells in the United States, Egypt and most recently Cyprus. He attended St... |
 Apollon LimassolApollon Limassol Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C... |
Free |
| Isaiah Osbourne |
Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
Free |
| Adam Mitter |
Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
Free |
Players out
| Player | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|
 John RankinJohn Rankin (footballer) John Rankin is a Scottish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United.-Early career:... |
Dundee United Dundee United F.C. Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923... |
Free |
| Colin Nish Colin Nish Colin Nish is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Hartlepool United.-Early life:Nish grew up in Musselburgh and was a fan of his local side Hibernian as a child.-Dunfermline Athletic:... |
Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
Free |
 Steven ThicotSteven Thicot Steven Thicot is a French association football player who plays as a central defender or as a defensive midfielder... |
Free | |
| Kevin McBride Kevin McBride (footballer) Kevin McBride is a Scottish football player. He currently plays for Hamilton Academical, having previously played for Celtic, Motherwell, Darlington, Falkirk, Hibernian and Raith Rovers.-Celtic:... |
Hamilton Academical Hamilton Academical F.C. Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have... |
Free |
| Kevin McCann Kevin McCann Kevin James McCann is a Scottish association football player who plays for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Football League. He is primarily a right full-back who can also play in a defensive midfield role.- Club career :... |
Greenock Morton Greenock Morton F.C. Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs.... |
Free |
 Valdas TrakysValdas Trakys Valdas Trakys is a Lithuanian footballer, who plays for Greek club Anagennisi Epanomi.-Playing career:Trakys started his professional career in 1995 with FK Panerys Vilnius in his native Lithuania. He played for FC Harelbeke and FBK Kaunas before moving to Russia to play for Torpedo Moscow... |
 Anagennisi EpanomiAnagennisi Epanomi F.C. Anagennisi Football Club is a Greek football club, based in Epanomi, Thessaloniki Prefecture.The Macedonian association was founded in 1926. In 2009, they promoted to Gamma Ethniki.-Squad:As of 21 September, 2011.... |
Free |
| Thomas Flynn |
Cowdenbeath Cowdenbeath F.C. Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor... |
Free |
 Kurtis ByrneKurtis Byrne Kurtis Byrne is an Irish professional association football player who plays for Ross County. Byrne is the son of former Celtic player Paul Byrne.... |
Ross County Ross County F.C. Ross County Football Club are a Scottish professional football team from the town of Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty. Founded in 1929 they currently compete in the Scottish Football League First Division and play their home matches at Victoria Park. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the... |
Free |
| Ewan Moyes |
Gateshead Gateshead F.C. Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager.... |
Free |
| Francis Dickoh Francis Dickoh Francis Dickoh is a Ghanaian footballer currently playing for Aris.- Career :Dickoh started his career in his native Denmark, playing for Farum BK, Boldklubben 1893 and FC Nordsjælland. He moved to the Netherlands in 2006, signing for FC Utrecht... |
Aris |
Free |
| Liam Miller Liam Miller William Peter "Liam" Miller is an Irish footballer who plays for Perth Glory in the A-League. Miller began his career with Celtic; at an early stage after injury he was loaned to Aarhus in 2001, making 18 appearances for the Danish Superliga club. He returned to Celtic Park and broke into the... |
 Perth Glory |
Free |
 Ricardo Vaz TêRicardo Vaz Té Ricardo Jorge Vaz Tê is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Barnsley. Vaz Tê previously played for English clubs Bolton Wanderers and Hull City, Greek club Panionios and Scottish club Hibernian.- Early life :... |
Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
Free |
| Derek Riordan Derek Riordan Derek George Riordan is a Scottish footballer who plays as a forward. He has been capped three times by the Scotland national football team. Riordan started his career with Hibernian in 2001 and had a brief spell on loan with Cowdenbeath in 2003... |
 Shaanxi Chan-Ba |
Free |
 Edwin de GraafEdwin de Graaf Edwin de Graaf is a Dutch midfielder who plays for SBV Excelsior.- Career :De Graaf is a midfielder who was born in Den Haag and made his debut in professional football, being part of the RBC Roosendaal squad in the 2001–02 season... |
SBV Excelsior |
Free |
| Calum Burns |
Musselburgh Athletic Musselburgh Athletic F.C. Musselburgh Athletic Football Club are a Scottish junior football club based in the town of Musselburgh, East Lothian. Formed in 1934, they have played under different names including Musselburgh Bruntonians, Musselburgh Juniors and Musselburgh Fern since 1898... |
Free |
Loans in
| Player | From |
|---|---|
| Phil Airey Phil Airey Philip Airey is an English footballer, currently playing for Premier League club Newcastle United as a striker. Airey has also previously played for Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.-Club career:... |
Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
| Richie Towell Richie Towell Richie Towell is an Irish footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League club Hibernian, on loan from Celtic. He is a versatile player who can play as a right back or central midfield.... |
Celtic Celtic F.C. Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the... |
| |
Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
Loans out
| Player | To |
|---|---|
 Calum Antell |
East Stirlingshire East Stirlingshire F.C. East Stirlingshire Football Club is a Scottish football club originating in Falkirk. Founded in 1880, originally as Bainsford Britannia, the club changed to their current name a year later in 1881... |
| David Crawford David Crawford (footballer born 1992) David Crawford is a Scottish footballer who currently plays for Brechin City, on loan from Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.-Hibernian:Crawford, who was born in Bellshill, joined Hibernian in 2006... |
Brechin City Brechin City F.C. Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football team based in Brechin, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the Second Division in the 2010–11 season... |
| Scott Smith Scott Smith (footballer born 1992) Scott Smith is a Scottish footballer, currently playing for Brechin City. Smith is on loan to Brechin from Hibernian.... |
Brechin City Brechin City F.C. Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football team based in Brechin, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the Second Division in the 2010–11 season... |
| Scott Taggart Scott Taggart Scott Taggart is a Scottish footballer, currently playing for Stranraer on loan from Hibernian.-Hibernian:He made his first team debut as a substitute against Hamilton on 7 May 2011.-Ayr United:... |
Stranraer Stranraer F.C. Stranraer Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team based in the town of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway. They are members of the Scottish Football League, and currently play in the Third Division.-History:... |
| Lewis Horner Lewis Horner Lewis Horner is an English-born Scottish footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Scottish Third Division club East Stirlingshire on loan from Hibernian.-Hibernian:... |
East Stirlingshire East Stirlingshire F.C. East Stirlingshire Football Club is a Scottish football club originating in Falkirk. Founded in 1880, originally as Bainsford Britannia, the club changed to their current name a year later in 1881... |
Player stats
During the 2011–12 season, Hibs have used 25 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.|}