Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

 
 
Sunday, 12th October 2008

Premium Article !

Your account has been frozen. For your available options click the below button.

Options

Premium Article !

To read this article in full you must have registered and have a Premium Content Subscription with the The Scotsman site.

Subscribe

Registered Article !

To read this article in full you must be registered with the site.

Sign In
Register

Hibs and United to play Barça pre-season



Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 21 May 2008
By STUART BATHGATE
HIBERNIAN and Dundee United have both agreed July friendlies with Barcelona, who are again basing themselves in St Andrews for the first week of their pre-season training. The Hibs game is at Murrayfield on Thursday, 24 July with a 7:45pm kick-off, while the United match is at Tannadice two days later, and starts at 4pm.
Last year Barça played United in midweek then met Hearts at the national rugby stadium, but the order has been switched this time as Hibs could have an InterToto match that weekend. Hearts had initially been interested in a rematch with the team from
the Catalan capital, but decided after a poor season that they needed a different approach to their preparation for the next campaign.

Tickets for the Murrayfield match are already on sale via the Hibs website ( www.hibs.co.uk), the Scottish Rugby Union website ( www.scottishrugby.org), the credit-card hotline (0131-346 5100), or in person from the Murrayfield ticket centre. Details about tickets for the Tannadice game are available from the United website, www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk.

“Everybody is looking forward to the game,” Mixu Paatelainen, the Hibs manager, said yesterday. “We want to test our ability against the best in the world.”

Stephen Thompson, the chief executive of Dundee United, said his club was looking forward to their rematch. “We have a longstanding connection dating back to the first time we met in the Fairs Cup in 1966,” he said.







The full article contains 255 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 20 May 2008 10:36 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Hibernian FC
 
1

Fayneant,

NZ 21/05/2008 00:41:51
Was lucky enough to be home and in Embra when Barca played Hearts last year at Murrayfield. Took my 15 year old footie mad daughter to the game - she couldn't believe the atmosphere inside the ground at kick off and when Hearts scored.
Great to see they are coming back, but I would love to see Hibs make more of a game of it this time
2

jambtastic,

21/05/2008 00:44:09
Been there , seen it done it , got the t-shirt , Hibs are claiming that Barcelona have an unfair advantage as they played at Murrayfield last year , good for Edinburgh but a Thursday night in Gorgie may not please the Hibs supporters although there will be a good crowd all the same , think i might just go along as a neutral of course mmm
3

Fayneant,

NZ 21/05/2008 00:54:55
Hopefully the Dundee Utd boys will be playing for their place in the team for the barca game when they play on Thursday...;-)
4

SOFBTRC,

21/05/2008 03:38:58
Fayneant - we don't care enough about which one of the bigot brothers wins the SPL to change how we play. We go out to beat both of you every time we play you, and if it wasn't for Rangers' "12th man" we'd be sitting with the League Cup and another 3 league points after the last twice we've played you.

Having said all of that, the only consolation on Thursday, if Celtic manage to beat us, is that you lot won't win the SPL. So win or lose, I'll crack open a beer.

SHOW OLD FIRM BIAS THE RED CARD!
5

Fayneant,

NZ 21/05/2008 04:26:13
4 - You forgot the '13th man' running the line in the last game...

6

Anne,

Eaglesham 21/05/2008 05:17:10
Small problem - Dundee FC were told they could not play a friendly against Everton at Dens on Saturday 26th July as that will be the first round of the Challenge Cup..

If Dundee are drawn at home, and Tayside police refuse to allow two matches to go ahead in the city on the same day, surely the SFA will have to give Dundee precedence?
7

hibhibhooray,

Edinburgh 21/05/2008 07:02:36
Why can't the game be played at Easter Road? Will we get a lot of neutrals coming along as they saw it all last year?
8

scorchio,

West of the Pecos 21/05/2008 07:31:36
The Hearts v Barca game last summer was fantastic.
One of those all to rare "Diamond Days".
I've no doubt that the Hibs folks will respond to it, just as we did.
What chance of an Edinburgh Select taking them on next year?...no chance sadly. Which is a pity, because with five outfield players from both Hearts and Hibs, and Hibs goalkeeper...woah! Nope forget it! Forget what I just suggested!
9

Hibernia,

21/05/2008 07:50:48
#8 good thinking but lets not forget how many keepers your team played this season - 3 Banks, Basso and the legend Kurskis. Your keepers are hardly outstanding either!
10

Bigwull,

edinburgh 21/05/2008 08:08:48
But surely Hibs must make a massive loss from this game.According to hobonomicists we made a £1/2 mill loss with a crowd of nearly 58000 last year.
11

Who?,

21/05/2008 08:47:16
I'm suprised the pink brazil agreed to the game. Lets face it hearts were barca's first choice and hearts turned them down. Oh don't worry said the barca president, i'm sure there must be an amature team in edinburgh!.

Hibs will be lucky to get 20,000 on a thursday evening. Best to play it in the slums to avoid the embarrasment.
12

viator,

University of St Andrews 21/05/2008 08:49:23
Barca are only coming to utilise the outstanding training facilities in Fife.
The games are a sideshow no more than a fitness run out for them. Forget about "testing yourselves" against "the best in the world"....i seem to remember Man utd and Chelsea are in the Champs League final...whilst Real whupped Barca into 3rd place in La Liga.
Nice for the neutrals though.Be interesting to see if the Muppet men marketing machine can entice 58000 into Murrayfield.

I see glentoran are expecting a record crowd on 14th July.
13

Phil o Brian,

21/05/2008 08:58:21
Not sure about this. Went last year to see Barca, even though it was a Hearts game. A good fun day, but the football was pretty poor and Barca did not try a leg. Not sure I would pay to watch it again.
14

Hibernia,

21/05/2008 08:58:33
#11 aye turn down Barcelona to go play a match at Glentoran instead.....hang on a minute I smell shoite!!!!!!!!!
15

James,

Dundee 21/05/2008 09:00:50
#6 Anne - United have announced it as a 4pm kickoff.

The massive crowd that the 'funny wee team' will attract (in the event of a home draw) in the Challenged Cup can be accommodated with a 2pm kickoff surely?

You can even make it a double header if you wish to see a better class of teams.

Seriously though, the police would have a say in the matter surely?
16

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 09:04:01
Serious question, have Hearts ever played Barca in a competitive game, if so what was the outcome?
17

Lenny,

21/05/2008 09:11:19
Some Jambo's seem to be really put out by this news. Dont worry guys its not really that big news to us Hibees. Remember, we have already played Barca, and beaten them, in proper Euro competition.
18

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 09:15:06
I was speaking to a Jambo friend last night and he was livid that Hearts had turned Barca down! I have to say that it's a bit shortsighted of Hearts to turn down such a game.
19

Who?,

21/05/2008 09:22:39
#14 - yes hearts turned down barca. How does it feel to be the back up plan?, the just in case scenario? the only option left? the grin and bear it opposition?

If barca really wanted to play the pink brazil do you really think it would be on a Thursday night.

#14 Hibernia- your a joke!
20

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 09:27:40
#19 I don't know, you tell us how it feels. It was us truned them down last year. Hearts were second choice !!
21

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 09:28:30
Typo error, that should be "turned down" in message 20
22

Silence of the Yams,

21/05/2008 09:32:58
This fixture did nowt for Hertz's season. They were poor and carried it on to the derby.
23

Hibernia,

21/05/2008 09:39:56
#19 the only opposition left - yes you must be right?

Plus do tell me how I am a joke???????
24

Jambo-ree,

21/05/2008 09:47:48
#17 Strewth Lenny you're going back a wee bit there aren't you?! Way back before even the 0-7 game. Back to the days when the European Cup was in its infancy and, correct me if I'm wrong, but you were there by invitation rather than qualification? Just to make up the numbers, so to speak? To get some Scottish involvement.

Anyway I really enjoyed the day out last year and hope all the Hibbies will do likewise this year. Might even toddle along as a commited neutral myself but on a Thursday night, maybe not.
25

morris,

edinburgh 21/05/2008 09:57:06
Hearts turned down Barcelona with good reason.They looked out of their depth before and the current squad will be humiliated. Barcelona woukd have eased off once comfortably ahead(after 5 minutes).Hearts have a squad who couldn't handle Falkirk and most are no better than our First Division .
Unless new faces (at least five)arrive and I dont mean another bunch of Lthuanians who fancy a wee holiday then Hearts will struggle and could face the drop easily.There are half a dozen players worth keeping and the rest simply dont justify their places.If Frail thinks otherwise then he should go first.I defended him in the past but its simply not good enough,and the owner must be told by the fans keep your butt out of team and player choices.We already did it your way and it stinks.
26

Jambo-ree,

21/05/2008 09:58:58
#16 Not to the best of my recollection but we DID beat Bayern Munich in the first leg of a UEFA Cup quarter final. Have Hibs ever done that?
27

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 10:04:07
#24 Don't know if the Fairs Cup was still an invitation tournament in 1961 or not, like the European Cup it started that way. The reason it was called the Inter Cities Fairs Cup was that it was to be played between teams from cities that held international fairs or festivals, kind of an odd excuse for a football tournament but there you go. By 1961 the European Cup was already a sought after prize. The famous final at Hampden (Real v Frankfurt) having been played the year before and of course the Munich disaster had happened three years earlier. It is interesting to note however that it was Hibs and not Hearts who were invited to take part in both these tournaments. Surprising really as both clubs were high achievers at the time. The most likely reason is simply that Hibs were better known on the continent due to summer tours long before any European competitions started.
28

Jambo-ree,

21/05/2008 10:05:39
#25 Think we looked out of our depth mainly because of the Vlad influence. This was the debut game for Beni and Audrey (amongst others?) and we all know how well they went on to do - especially Beni! Would have liked to have seen a proper first team pick out against Barca as even with Vlad's selections out there we did draw level at one point and Audrey should really have put us ahead shortly afterwards. Not saying we wouldn't still have lost as Barca kept in low gear throughout.
29

Jambo-ree,

21/05/2008 10:10:41
#27 Sorry - I had thought your game against Barca was European Cup rather than the Fairs Cup - not really a student of Hibs' history.

You're right and the Fairs Cup was restricted to teams from towns who had a "Fairs" holiday which therefore precluded a large number of teams.

Remember the Texaco Cup?
30

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 10:13:20
#26 I remember that Bayern game simply because I had to listen to it on the radio on the way home from a job in Scarborough so that would make it February but I can't recall what year. We have never played Bayern and in fact I don't think we've played any German sides sinces re-unification. It was however a quarter final in which we eliminated Barcelona. Technically we beat them in the first leg which wasn't played until after the second leg as you'll have read in the article.
31

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 10:16:44
#29 I remember going along to watch Hearts play Wolves at Tynecastle in the Texaco Cup. Derek Dougan played for Wolves at the time. In those days the form was that my mates and I used to go along to see whichever Edinburgh side were at home irrespective of which one we supported. Changed days now though, you can't do that anymore and you can't change ends at half time either or mix with the other sides fans!
32

Jambo-ree,

21/05/2008 10:30:12
#31 - Still got the programme for that Wolves game. They were a good team in these days and just a pity we lost out in the second leg of that final. I remember the crushes at half time as opposing fans met on their respective migrations to behind the other goal. Don't recall all that much trouble but, sadly, changed days now. Segregation seems to have made supporters even more tribal.
33

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 10:44:20
#32 I agree re tribalism. They can shout and scream abuse at each other now knowing that they can't actually get at each other. There was a down side in those past days of course, especially when the Old Firm came calling. Flying beer cans full of a different (and warm) liquid !
34

Lenny,

21/05/2008 10:51:25
Jambo-ree

True but beating Barca is impressive at any time. Your thinking of the European Cup campaign that we were invited to. The Barca game was Fairs (UEFA Cup).

Dont be too upset becouse no one likes Hearts and they dont get invited to anything however. : )
35

,

21/05/2008 11:07:48
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
36

Jambo-ree,

21/05/2008 11:16:17
#35 Think your own post answers your own question.
37

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 11:19:04
#35 your name could not be more accurate. As for half wits, you need fifty percent more brains than you already have to get up to that level! Don't forget that without the "diddy" teams as you put it, your lot would have no league to play in, so you would have to play with yourselves. I suspect somehow you would rather enjoy playing with yourself.
38

Lenny,

21/05/2008 11:19:43
NO LONGER WELCOME

Becouse you are thick and unwashed?

However I guess uspporting the Old Firm must be great fun, if your bag is rioting in another city anyway.
39

Indie Rep Kid,

21/05/2008 11:22:15
#35

Classic OF mentality.

Not the slagging off other teams - fair enough - but the whole "why hate the OF?" question?

It just shows the OF are pretty much one team, united against the rest in an effort to protect their status quo.

Biggest rivalry in World Football? Yer havin' a laugh.

The two sets of fans are inter-changeable and only have one aim in life...to protect the other from the provincial clubs.

Shoulda used tear gas and bullets in Seville and Manchester to "calm the crowds".
40

Johnny Jambo,

21/05/2008 11:24:16
Lenny - was that invite not in 1956 to the first European Cup against Rhiems in the Semi, four invitations, am I right.
41

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 11:27:46
No Longer Welcome's problem guys is that he's seen exchanges between myself and Jambo-ree that contain no slagging off and are between two people happy to have a reasoned and slightly nostalgic debate. That's more than his intellect can cope with so he reverts to type and attempts to lower the level on the forum. Blank him from now and don't let him spoil things. Let him go away and play with himself in peace.
42

Jambo-ree,

21/05/2008 11:30:56
#33 Remember being in a mixed crowd at Tynie against Celtic when we heard a splashing sound behind us. Turned round to find a 'Tic fan peeing on the terrace right behind us. "Whit's wrang wi' youse - goat holes in yer shoes 'n' that?" he said. Nice people.
43

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 11:33:56
#40 JJ, your right that 1956 was by invitation and Hibs played three ties altogether, seven games in total. Not sure how many clubs were invited but I do know that Chelsea were the club invited from England. The F.A. however would not allow them to take part.
44

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 11:37:34
I can remember a few derbies where the grounds were packed and leaving to relieve yourself just wasn't an option because basically you couldn't move. Consequently the terraces were awash with the stuff and on a really cold day the atmosphere was a tad steamy!
45

Lenny,

21/05/2008 11:41:31
JJ

Yeah, the invite was for the first European Cup. Hibs played 2 other ties before the Semi however, including beating the German champions Rot Weiss Essien, who at the time had half the West German team in their side.

But we did qualify for the rest of the European campaigns.
46

Hibernia,

21/05/2008 11:45:57
#35 The OF are quite happy to come along and take the best players from the likes of Hearts and Hibernian and then wonder why the league isnt competitive when you then leave them to rot and ruin their careers.

Then there is fans that spout absolute trash like your comment. That is a small indication of why the OF are hated.

I usually find to wind up the Celtic fans a bout of "who was first to wear the green and also the first to wear the hoops?" works.
47

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 11:59:32
#46, it amuses me that they are called the Old Firm in the first place when neither can lay claim to being Scotland's oldest club and one half of the duo was formed after both Edinburgh clubs.
48

wee162,

Sunny Leith 21/05/2008 12:00:11
#40
No. You're not right.

Hibs beat the German champions Rot Weiss Essen, Swedish champions Djurgaardens, and lost to a Stade Reims side including Raymond Kopa in the semi-final. The tournament in all honesty came about a couple of years too late for Hibs as the Famous Five side in their pomp would have had every chance of actually winning it. The reason of course why Hibs were invited was because of the clubs reputation as being innovative, and stylish, and also the fact that Hibs were well-known throughout Europe and further afield due to the various tours undertaken which enhanced our reputation. It's called being an actual rather than imaginary big team. Which Hibs were at that time, and Hearts have never been.

#26
Hibs have never played Bayern Munich in European competition. But if we had and got put out it would barely register since we have had actual success in Europe rather than getting a decent result at home before being put out. For example, knocking out sides such as Sporting Lisbon, Napoli, and Barcelona, and only being denied a European final by the fact that the away goals rule didn't apply when Hibs drew 4-4 with Roma on aggregate (3 each away from home) in the Fairs Cup semi final. I believe the biggest side Hearts have ever knocked out of Europe were Lokomotiv Leipzig? So big a side they don't exist any more.

The jamtards are right. Hibs were invited to participate in the first ever European Cup. It was because we were a big team. Hearts weren't invited, because they weren't a big side then, and never have been since.

We Own The Capital
49

Iain Bhern,

21/05/2008 12:15:23
#48 careful now. The reason Lokomotiv don't exist is entirely down to changes in the political map and they are not the only former Eastern block side to disappear. Dukla Prague are no more, Red Star Belgrade is another. A lot of Eastern European teams were from the armed forces or factories. There is a famous story of a cup final meeting between two Moscow clubs. One which had its origins with the police force arrested all the players from the other who were the army club. They promptly conscripted the other lot. One of them was Dinamo Moscow but I can't recall what the other was, might have been CSK.
50

Jambo-ree,

21/05/2008 12:21:11
#48 End of the day you've won exactly the same as us in Europe. Don't go in for all this 'big team/wee team' cr@p so leaving that there.
51

Lenny,

21/05/2008 12:31:44
Jambo-ree

Good man, the Big Team Wee Team thing is probably about the most tiresome thing on here. Both wee teams, only some people dont realise that!!!
52

wee162,

Sunny Leith 21/05/2008 14:50:15
#49
Red Star Belgrade are now known as Crvena Zveda. They most assuredly still do exist, they are just now known by their Serbian name rather than the translation we have known them by.

Most of the clubs you've mentioned do still exist in some form or other, but have been deserted by their fans due to previous links with one form of the government or other so are now struggling. I think Loko Leipzig are actually similar to this as they still exist in the amateur levels of German football so I overstated it when I said they didn't exist any more.

Think the story you're thinking of may be about Dynamo Kiev who were threatened by Beria (chief of the NKVD during Stalins time) when playing Dynamo Moscow. Could be wrong about that though, and unfortunately I don't have the relevant book handy to check.
53

Lenny,

21/05/2008 15:33:29
# 152

Yeah in a similar case, Dynamo Berlin of East Germany were owned by the leader of the stasi. It is thought that many of their honours came through corruption.

A bit like Rangers if you believe some sources...

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
  

 
 

More Scottish Cup

More Scottish Cup >>

More Hibernian FC

More Hibernian FC >>

Features

Supplements
Photos Today

Featured Advertising



Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.