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Donaldson decries a lack of opportunities



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Published Date: 15 July 2008
By Ed Hodge
OUT-of-favour Hibernian striker Clayton Donaldson has hit out at a lack of opportunities under Mixu Paatelainen after the Easter Road manager said the player was free to leave the club.
The 24-year-old was not involved in either leg of the Intertoto Cup defeat to Elfsborg and Paatelainen will now listen to offers for the forward.

Signed last summer, Donaldson impressed initially with six goals, including a hat-trick against Kilm
arnock last September. But the former York striker became sidelined after Paatelainen's arrival in January and has made only a handful of substitute appearances since then.

Hartlepool, Oldham, Darlington and Crewe may now step up their interest in Donaldson.

But the forward believes he has not been given adequate chances to show Paatelainen what he can do as a player.

"I had an indication they were probably going to listen to offers, because basically I haven't really been playing," said Donaldson. "With the manager changing, it hasn't helped at all. It's absolutely killed it for me, really. I was enjoying myself under John (Collins], but a new manager has come in with his own opinions, which is fair enough. I think that was the turning point where it started to go downhill for me. I don't think I've started a single game under the new manager.

"It's disappointing because you want to play every game as possible, but I've not had much of a chance. I'd rather have been judged on opportunities given to me, but I haven't. I've just had to bite my tongue."

Donaldson, however, is refusing to concede his time in Edinburgh is up and hopes to be given game time when Hibs continue their pre-season preparations at Raith Rovers tonight.

He added: "There has been interest from other teams. It's up to the club if they accept an offer. As far as I'm concerned, I'm still a Hibs player and I'm still going to fight for my place as long as I'm here. I'm not really looking too far into that because I've seen it all before. You just never know what can happen in football. One minute you're not in the plans, then you score a hat-trick and you're back in favour.

"





The full article contains 378 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 14 July 2008 10:36 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Hibernian FC
 
1

Neutral Observer,

15/07/2008 01:04:46
I would say, Clayton 'go out and score as many hat-tricks as you can!'

Then the Hibs fans will be dancing in the streets of Raithtonight.
2

tamicus,

Edinburgh 15/07/2008 02:15:33
Clayton has been given many more chances than a certain neglected Moroccan.

End of last season he was off the bench most games.

Left Benji sitting on the bench, with his shiny white boots unused.

Say what you like about his attitude - Benjelloun has proven he has the abilities to pay the utilities on more than one occasion. (Most recently for the national team)

The clear lack of man management from JC started the downwards spiral. This has been compounded by Mixu's apparent disinterest in giving the lad the support he needs.

Instead of nurturing, and in the long term (listen up RP!) profiting again from Mogga's shrewd eye-for-a-player, we are looking like punting one of the few genuinely talented players left at the club.

Benji's been bumped, and its baws.
3

Dood,

15/07/2008 05:43:59
At least someone was enjoying themselves last season under JC, Clayton. Eh? The rest of us weren't.

If perhaps you'd made slightly more effort to impress you might have made it. You didn't. Bye bye.
4

Private Pike,

15/07/2008 06:03:19
#2 Someone else who understands the damage that will be done to Hibs if Benji is allowed to leave. I can't believe the number of so-called Hibs fans to want Benji out the door. Along with O'Brien of course. Two players who have the potential to bring some success to ER.

Benji leaves. We know Fletcher will be going sometime. Zemmamma will look round him an wonder if its worth staying. Soon we'll be treated every week to the efforts of Rankin and Nish who will stand out as Hibs best players. Then the morons will be happy watching a team that exactly matches their prejudices against genuinely talented players.
5

Private Pike,

15/07/2008 06:07:46
There's a few people talking about Ivan Sproule going on loan to Motherwell. I hope it's not true because there's only one club in Scotland that Ivan should be going to.
6

Dublin 7 Hibby,

Myles away from Dublin 15/07/2008 08:23:43
#5 Pikey,

Absolutely agree. I saw Jim O'Brien play for Dunfermline against us last year - on loan from Celtic. He's a classy young player and now he's been signed by Motherwell, I think. There's also the other Morrocan at Killie who has re-signed. A pal of Zammama and very skilled. If we can't outbid Killie there's something wrong.
There's talent out there is you look. Wake up Mixu! The water's rising!!!
7

<><><><>WE ARE THE PEOPLE<><><><>,

GB/UK 15/07/2008 09:24:32
Problem is who in their right mind wants to play for Hibs and live in Leith???
8

Silence of the Yams,

15/07/2008 09:37:17
Run Raith ragged son!
9

Dublin 7 Hibby,

Myles away from Dublin 15/07/2008 09:41:48
#7 - one word: Castlemilk!! Away and wash!

10

Northern Hibby.,

15/07/2008 09:47:23
Yet another waste of column inches. Looking for the bit where the journo asks CD about how he got on when he was given the chance, what about when he gave his jersey away at Falkirk, what has he done to make himself a first pick?. I was going to say that you shouldn't let facts get in the way of a good story, but this tosh isn't even a bad story. Pre-season padding from hacks longing for the Med.
11

Jim W,

15/07/2008 11:01:50
That players such as Benjelloun & Donaldson can't get a start ahead of such as Nish maybe says a lot for the style of play Mixu wants to adopt. He keeps saying he wants to play attractive passing football but so far it's been passed it fifty yards through the air!

I fear it's time to prepare ourselves for stiff neck football at Easter Road for the forseeable future!
12

Neutral Observer,

15/07/2008 11:14:06
#11 JW

Donaldson is 6ft 3" but alsolutely useless in the air. He is quick, but weak in shooting with either foot. So its difficulr to know where to play him. I suspect that he will be replaced with a proper penalty box type of scorer which none of Fletcher, Benji or Nish is. I wish that Collins or Mixu could have sorted Benji's attitude out as he has the basic skills to be a very god player.
13

Silence of the Yams,

15/07/2008 11:33:41
Benji and Fletcher should start the season. Give Benji his chance.
14

Iain Bhern,

15/07/2008 12:11:35
Donaldson had the chance to make an impression at the start of last season from the man that brought him to Hibs. All he did was prove that he's just not good enough. He no use in the air, has no power in his shots and falls over more often than a toddler. Stop moaning Clayton, the bottom line is you were given a chance and blew it. Away back to the lower reaches of the English league system where you belong.

 

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