Hibs squad to get a summer trim – Mixu
Published Date:
20 May 2008
By COLLEEN PATERSON
MIXU PAATELAINEN revealed he's set to trim his squad in the summer – insisting he wants quality, not quantity.
The Hibs manager feels that his current pool is too big and has already told a number of his players that they are free to leave Easter Road at the end of the season.
The big Finn, who has already agreed deals for St Mirren's David van Zanten and Fabien Yantorno from Gretna, is hoping to bring in a few new faces over the coming weeks but is keen to begin next season with less players on the books.
Hibs, who take on Motherwell in their final SPL match of the season on Thursday night, have used 32 players in all competitions this season but Paatelainen is hoping to start the next campaign with a more streamlined squad.
He said: "There will be a few changes over the summer.
"We will be bringing players in and there will be some leaving because I feel that the squad is a little too big right now.
"I would rather have a tighter squad and hopefully a bit more quality in there too.
"Obviously we have already started looking at players we want to bring in during the close season but I have also told some players that they are free to start looking for another club." Meanwhile Paatelainen was delighted with the news that young defender Darren McCormack has been called into the Scotland Under-21s squad for their international challenge match against Norway tonight.
The centre-half was drafted into the squad following the withdrawal of Paul Caddis from Celtic through injury and Paatelainen is hoping to make it along to Rugby Park to see the player in action.
He added: "Billy Stark called me and asked about Darren after he had a couple of call-offs and I was happy to speak to him. I think that Darren has been excellent for our reserves this season, in games and in training, and he has been involved in a few first-team games for us.
"He is improving all the time and is a solid defender, hopefully he will continue to put pressure on the players in the first team next season.
"It is good that he is being given a chance to make an impression at international level as well and it is good for the club as well.
"It shows that our players have the right attitude. I think that it proves the club is going along the right lines and it is always a huge honour for any player and for Hibs when they are called up into the national side."
The full article contains 449 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
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Last Updated:
20 May 2008 10:54 AM
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Source:
Edinburgh Evening News
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Location:
Edinburgh
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Related Topics:
Hibernian FC