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Hibs to face Barcelona for pre-season match at Murrayfield



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Published Date: 20 May 2008
HIBS fans were licking their lips today as it was announced the Easter Road club will take on Barcelona in a glamour pre-season friendly this summer.
In a repeat of last year, when the Catalan giants faced Hearts in the Capital, Murrayfield will play host to the clash on Thursday, July 24 at 7.45pm.

Supporters will be thrilled at the prospect of seeing the likes of Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry in action for the second year running while Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi – who was unavailable for last year's match against Hearts – will be in line to feature this time round.

Hibs last faced Barcelona in 1961 when they won a Fairs Cup clash 7-6 on aggregate after a explosive second leg at Easter Road.

Barca will spend six days in Scotland based in St Andrews and, like last year, will face Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday, July 26 (kick-off 4pm).

Hibs chief executive, Scott Lindsay, said: "We are delighted to be able to take part in a pre-season fixture against a team of Barcelona's stature.

"The last time the two clubs met in Edinburgh was over forty years ago. That was a remarkable occasion and we fully expect this match to provide another fantastic experience for everyone involved."

Tickets for the match at Murrayfield are now available, and accessible via Hibernian's usual outlets (www.hibs.co.uk) and at www.scottishrugby.org; via the credit card hotline 0131 346 5100 (booking fee applies) or in person from Scottish Rugby's Ticket Centre at Murrayfield. Tickets will not be available from the Hibernian FC Ticket Office until June 16.

Ticket Prices are: Adults £25/£30/£35 and Concessions £15/£20/£25 (under 16 and over 65)

The full article contains 301 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 20 May 2008 4:04 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Hibernian FC
 
1

Naeboz,

20/05/2008 15:46:47
Wee team, wee crowd!
2

Smasher,

20/05/2008 15:46:57
Why Murrayfield? What's wrong with Edinburghs home of silky soccer Easter Road?
3

HIBSBY,

20/05/2008 15:47:53
why murrayfield ? far to far from pitch to see whats going on. would have loved to seen Easter Road packed for this one.Oh what an athmosphere.
4

alex paterson,

At the moment in Sevilla 20/05/2008 15:48:24
This could be good to watch but,dont look for all the big stars at this match,the third X1 would be more than a match for Hibs.
5

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

20/05/2008 15:51:15
true alex , im sure even "barcalona" could beat The Cabbage.
6

Hibees forever,

Portobello 20/05/2008 15:55:47
Cant wait!

Hearts' mistake last season was playing them as their last pre-season game before the start of the season, and I wouldnt have wanted to play them if we had them week before season.

But to play Barca, then have tough games against Wigan and Boro before the season starts is a fantastic pre-season!
7

Rolland,

20/05/2008 15:58:53
Believe it when I see it, watch out for this one being cancelled as PeeWee is to tight to pay the match fee.
8

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 16:00:49
Poor old jealous Jambos posting on this thread. What's wrong boys? A bit miffed that Barca don't want to cuff the "big" team again. They seem quite happy to take on the Arabs for a second year running and that's probably because they got a decent game against them, not the stroll in the park that Hearts offered.
9

Johnny Jambo,

20/05/2008 16:00:50
It is beginning to look to me like the EEN don't like the criticism, I see a new thread has started, many of the previous posts were criticising the report.

I had one post "removed it seems" because I asked a question about the Hibs fans "licking their lips" the experience I have seen today since this was first reported is that most Hibs fans have a concern about too may games in the pre season with the Intertoto coming up as well.

The second point I made was that the two Barca players mentioned are likely to be out of Barcelona before this game along with Ronaldinho and Deco.
10

,

20/05/2008 16:02:37
Comment Removed By Administrator
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11

Dragonlord,

20/05/2008 16:06:45
8# Don't let facts get in the way of your deluded rant. Hearts turned down Barca.Fact.
However even Hibs fans don't want this, because they know theywill be humiliated.

http://www.hibs.net/message/showthread.php?t=118097
12

We love fitba,

google! 20/05/2008 16:07:23
Petrie may have been seduced by the £ signs but I'd have thought this should be played at Easter Road. This game will inevitably be compared with the Hearts game last season, and no doubt unfavourably.
13

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 16:08:34
#9, JJ. It's more likely they were told to remove the article. The match was only officially announced at 2.20 this afternoon.
14

Victoria Ian,

20/05/2008 16:11:26
ha ha- they clearly hardly even got a warm up against Hearts last year- need to play the top-6 team from Edin this time round!!!

Read and weep Jambos!!!!
15

,

20/05/2008 16:13:22
Comment Removed By Administrator
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16

Rambo_the_Jambo,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 16:14:04
# 8 Iain Bhern

Sorry old chap but you have it wrong here. Hearts were asked to play a challenge game but for some reason they knocked it back. God knows why as it is a dead cert for a moneyspinner.
17

Angus R,

20/05/2008 16:14:26
Not sure it will need to be at Murrayfield - i reckon most neutrals that would have wanted to go would have went to the Hearts game last year and so probably not that fussed to see them twice - it is only a friendly after all. With the tickets the same price as what Hearts charged and we couldnt fill it i think the crowd will be reasonable rather than massive. As someone commented earlier the atmosphere at Easter Road would have been much better (with 60k at the Murrayfield game last year it was still rather flat)
18

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 16:16:59
Dragonlord, you probably turned them down because you can no longer afford their appearance fee! Vlad has spent all the available cash on your new manager, that's a new roll of paper for the fax machine.
Millions in debt and rising !!!!!
19

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 16:19:16
If someone can point me in the direction of authoritative proof that Hearts turned Barca down I'll believe it. Otherwise I'll assume it's only the rumour factory churning out nonsense. I'm off home now chaps, catch up with you later to see if the proof is out there.
20

Rolland,

20/05/2008 16:28:53
Dub you'll need to explain more on the celebrity Stiffs, as the one we have doesn't involve football teams.
21

Tynie,

Robbo's Bar 20/05/2008 16:31:20
#4 Alex Paterson

I thought I was the only Jambo in Pencaitland?

Wot you doing in Sevilla mate?
22

Tynie,

Robbo's Bar 20/05/2008 16:35:23
Here's hoping Hibs make the same mess wi tickets as they did in the Hampden Semi in '06

One ticket per database member was it?

Hearts allocated FOUR tickets per database owner and as a result got 24,000 fans to your 20,000. The rest of you Hibbies who couldn't go were disguised as seats! Ha! Ha!
23

Lenny,

20/05/2008 16:51:51
Tynie

You are spot on re the farce with Cup Semi tickets. Somehow I doubt there will be 20K Hibs fans going to Murrayfield however.
24

Fredster.,

20/05/2008 16:58:50
Is it a fact that hearts knocked it back? not saying they never just want to know why.. You guys made a few bob playing them last year. We knocked them back last year as Petrie said it would cost Hibs more money to play than they would take in? I know its a strange one.

I for one would rather we didn't and just carried on with the other 2 pre-season games. Could be to much in to little time.
25

,

20/05/2008 17:02:52
Comment Removed By Administrator
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26

GGTTH#1,

20/05/2008 17:21:50
As a Hibs fan who went to the game last year at Murrayfield I am sure there will be many Hearts fans there this year. Lets be honest, we are going to see Barcelona, whether it be there strongest 11 or whatever it will be a good day out no doubt!!
27

,

20/05/2008 17:30:09
Comment Removed By Administrator
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28

,

20/05/2008 17:32:50
Comment Removed By Administrator
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29

,

20/05/2008 17:38:37
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30

sangriaboy,

malaga 20/05/2008 17:41:13
point of interest.
barca are the home team as they were lasy year and hibs like hearts will get a fee.
Pity that a few people may be holiday as its a cracking game that will attract many nutrals as well as hibbys.
Maybe Barca need a bit of revenge from the last time the were gubbed wi the hibbys!
31

,

20/05/2008 17:43:35
Comment Removed By Administrator
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32

,

20/05/2008 17:47:15
Comment Removed By Administrator
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33

GGTTH#1,

20/05/2008 17:49:44
we need a better class of opposition for our pre season games.

JT&T you are your own worst enemy.
34

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 17:51:44
#32, back in post 19 I asked for authoritative proof that Hearts had turned Barca down. So far none has been forthcoming, only The Silence Of The Yams has been heard. I say again show me proof that Hearts knocked back a game against Barcelona.
35

,

20/05/2008 17:55:54
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
36

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 18:00:59
JT&T. You can't accuse me of making statements that are untrue. I may surmise or indulge in supposition but I do not claim facts are facts when they aren't. On the odd occasion I've got something wrong I've publicly admitted it on these forums. I will search the EEN for the story though.
37

,

20/05/2008 18:05:26
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38

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 18:12:23
Thanks JT&T, my search yielded nothing. Incidentally did you spot the date on that article?
39

,

20/05/2008 18:14:27
Comment Removed By Administrator
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40

Plug-,

On the outside peeing in 20/05/2008 18:15:47
'Ticket Prices are: Adults £25/£30/£35 and Concessions £15/£20/£25 (under 16 and over 65)'

Some folk have too much money.
41

,

20/05/2008 18:16:48
Comment Removed By Administrator
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42

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 18:17:07
Hmmm having read that piece again, one source "suggested" whilst another "declined to mention the word Barcelona" What on earth were they scared of and what better preparation can you get other than playing one of the top clubs in the world! I think it is more likely that back in April Vlad hadn't made up their minds for them as to just what Hearts would be doing!
43

Ogs1955,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 18:17:50
But Barca have played there before. Is this not an advantage or is this excuse only used when they are playing Hearts. ie Scottish Cup semi.
44

,

20/05/2008 18:19:31
Comment Removed By Administrator
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45

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 18:24:22
Oh for goodness sake victorian, I'd have thought that you of all people would realise from the way I expressed myself in #8 would have made it plain I was indulging in a bit of joshing. Not my normal style of writing is it? Who knows what Barca want, apart from a holiday in Scotland! As for the proof I asked for, I'm afraid all the article does is cloud the issue since Hearts didn't actually admit one way or the other whether or not they had turned down an offer. I can't see what harm it would have done to say something but at the beginning of April all was not rosy in the Tynecastle garden so perhaps they felt it prudent not to confirm or deny the story.
46

,

20/05/2008 18:26:17
Comment Removed By Administrator
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47

,

20/05/2008 18:27:17
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48

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 18:28:56
JT&T see my post 45. As I said there the article only clouds the issue. Speculative journalism at best from a paper that delights in that sort of work! Hearts didn't say yes and didn't say no, they didn't even confirm that an offer of a game was made. So the bottom line is there is no proof because there is nothing to prove. Neither you nor I know exactly what took place and likely never will. Anyway I'll have to go, I've got the dinner to cook, back later !
49

Eddie,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 18:30:52
All this nonsense about Hearts knocking them back.
Maybe you will recall that last year, Hibs turned down the option of playing Barcelona, and then suddenly Hearts announced it that they were to play them.
And before last season started Hearts were 'minded' to take part in the InterToto cup, and then backed down.
50

,

20/05/2008 18:31:40
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51

Iain Bhern,

20/05/2008 19:01:44
JT&T the problem here is that it's a speculative piece. Alan Patullo has obviously heard something from somewhere but when one person "suggests" and another won't say one way or the other then it 'can' be no more than speculation. I've no doubt that perhaps a re-match was suggested but Hearts for their own reasons have failed to say yes it was offered or no it wasn't.
You might say that I'm suggesting it is proof but on the other hand I'm not going to say it is, which is pretty much sum and substance of what the article is saying. As Kenny Dalgliesh would say "maybe's aye, maybe's naw" It looks like we'll have to agree to disagree!
52

ses,

Pencaitland 20/05/2008 19:56:31
At, last a true glamour friendly for the Hibees after years of, at best, Premiership relegation candidates.

It better not fall through this year, though.
53

just a jambo,

20/05/2008 20:16:56
so the powers to be at fester road agree you wont get past round one in the inter tattie.
54

Youngie the hibee,

20/05/2008 20:52:11
to the yams: reasons hibs are better than you.

We have stable finances
We have beat Barcalona
We have a good stadium
We have no lithuanian money stealing duffers
HAHAHA You lost to a team that is no more
We dont have mad vlad
55

HHJAMBO,

edinburgh 20/05/2008 21:15:03
This is brilliant! Just look at all the hibbies doing U Turns. This time last year it was all about how we were paying £1M to play Barca's B team in a friendly. Fast forward 12 months and it's a completely different story. Hibs fans must think that people don't have any kind of memory. After all they've always been a flare team! Aye right. Hearts have already announced on the club website many weeks ago that we have turned Barca down so enjoy the sloppy seconds lads. And just keep making it all up as you go along. Priceless!
56

roberto,

20/05/2008 21:17:34
can't wait for this

can't see it being a sell out though and hearts did get in there first but who cares-i'll never see barcelona play hibs again

and all those jambos saying barca will hump us-obviously it's barcelona

one quick question-were you able to get a bevvy inside the ground at the hearts game last year?
57

Mad Vlad,

Edinburgh 20/05/2008 21:30:12
Looks like it's a big team (top 6 finish) vs a bigger team.
58

Sir Albertt x2,

20/05/2008 21:35:54
It was Hearts they were watching, so you have to take bevvy (and loads) to watch that p##h!!
59

Just Me " Again ",

20/05/2008 21:56:02
You fans o' herts sure are a bitter lot.
60

Franck,

20/05/2008 21:57:21
Jambo through and through.

Just remember that Last year it was Hibs who trned Barca away. Making you guys second choice.
61

Just Me " Again ",

20/05/2008 22:00:01
32 JamboThrough&Through,

LIKE GRETNA!
62

semac,

corstorphine 21/05/2008 09:49:51
Barca spokesman states on radio that they are expecting a hard time from a team they have never managed to beat. Barca were the top team in Europe when Hibs took 7 of them over 2 legs.A feat never matched since by any team . He is hoping to take something from the game as even a draw would salvage some pride against a team held in high regard in most quarters.
63

devries 4,

saughton 21/05/2008 11:51:29
been there seen it worn t shirt it will be interesting to see crowd size hibees cant fill easter rd so murrayfield without ronaldinho on way to chelsea or milan and henry possible return to premiership mind u they may try and buy ronaldo im sure it will be good for the hubz not jealous im in florida at time anyway
64

devries 4,

21/05/2008 11:53:04
62# yawn when hibs were euro greats theyve never beat dundee utd either
65

jamtart,

Beechboro Wester Australia 22/05/2008 08:01:36
# 56 I was there last year and no bevvy inside the ground.We had 60,000 there and I don't think the hibby's will attract that many and the atmosphere was almost non existant.Play it at easter road then you might at least get a bit of atmosphere.
66

Hibernian: We Own The Capital,

God's Country 23/05/2008 18:43:22
Hmm, a few observations here:

1) With the Inter-Toto and the EPL friendlies lined up already, this money-making exercise may not be the best thing for the players.

2) Last year's gunts friendly only got the crowd it did because neutrals went along for the chance to see Barca. They won't go again, so there is virtually no chance of getting the same numbers again. Not so money-making now...

3) It will of course be very cool to see the likes of Messi playing against the Cabbage so when all is said and done I will definitely be going along.

 

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