Hibs boss brushes off Benji attack

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen today brushed off an astonishing attack by Moroccan striker Abdessalam Benjelloun, who claimed the Finn's tactics are 40 years out of date.

Benji, currently on loan to Belgian club Royal Charleroi, launched his stinging criticism of Paatelainen from the sanctuary of a newspaper in the North African country. But today Paatelainen insisted the 23-year-old's outburst was borne out of frustration as the player's temporary move to Belgium hadn't worked out as planned. As a result, he has fallen out of the Moroccan national squad.

The Hibs manager was adamant there would be no hard feelings on his part should Benji return to Easter Road next month if Charleroi don't take up an option to make the loan deal permanent by January 10.

Benji, however, claimed that he'll go where he feels happiest even if Hibs and Charleroi don't reach an agreement, conveniently overlooking the fact he remains under contract to the Easter Road outfit.

In a rambling Moroccan newspaper interview, Benji was quoted as saying: "Mixu plays football in the style of the English game in the 1960s. He very much favours a long-ball system.

"But, with this style, technically skilled players like myself don't have too much of a chance."

Of his situation he said: "Maybe I will stay at Charleroi in January or maybe I will leave. They have an option to buy me then but if I want to go I'll go. It's a complicated transfer.

"It is possible that I will return to Hibs or even join another club. I will go where I feel happiest and most want to play. Even if the two clubs reach an agreement, I will choose to go elsewhere if I am not satisfied."

Paatelainen, however, insisted he'd happily have Benji back at Easter Road but admitted the talented striker would have to improve his work-rate considerably if he was to challenge Steven Fletcher, Colin Nish, Derek Riordan and the incoming Jonatan Johansson for a first-team place.

He said: "Benji is a good player and if he applies the work-rate to that talent he can be a fantastic player for any club. We value his talent but unfortunately the work-rate and effort has not been there."

As for the personal criticism, Paatelainen added: "I can understand his frustration. He went to Belgium looking to play regularly and that has not happened. He is concerned and I can understand that. The loan deal runs to the end of this year and we are looking to have him back unless something else happens. I don't have any hard feelings or negative feelings towards him, he is a fantastic player who has done well at times."

Paatelainen admitted, though, he was surprised Benji, who has in the past claimed he wants to play for Real Madrid, had turned his sights on him.

He said: "I believe it is totally and utterly borne out of frustration. We tried to do him a favour by giving him a chance to go on loan, to play and to play for his national team.

"It hasn't worked out as he hoped, he has fallen out of the picture, is frustrated and concerned but I am surprised he has chosen to channel it all towards me."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen was today highly optimistic that both Dean Shiels and Sol Bamba will have overcome the knocks which prevented them training at the start of this week in time to face Celtic on Sunday.

He said: "They've been spending time with the physio but it's looking good and they should be okay for the weekend."