Hogg admits struggle with eyesight

HIBS central defender Chris Hogg dropped himself for Saturday's trip to Aberdeen because he did not want to let his team-mates down after suffering from blurred vision and headaches.

The Englishman has endured problems with his eyesight for the past month since being involved in a heavy collision with Morton player Eric Paartalu during Hibs' Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat at Easter Road.

The former Middlesbrough player played in the four matches immediately after the cup exit, but admitted to manager Mixu Paatelainen that the effects of the head knock were starting to interfere with his judgment.

Paatelainen, who used Sol Bamba in Hogg's position in the 2-1 victory at Pittodrie, applauded the player's honesty and has urged him to make the most of the international break to complete his recovery.

Paatelainen said: "Chris has been struggling since that challenge when he was concussed. Since then he has had headaches and whenever it's a bright day he's had difficulty with his eyesight. He told me he felt it would gradually fade away but it hasn't. Chris said it began to affect his training and in some matches, like the Rangers game which was played on a really bright day, he wasn't able to judge the flight of the ball in the air properly.

"All credit to Chris for being determined to play in every game but he felt he would let the people around him and himself down if he went to Pittodrie, so he didn't even travel with the squad."

Hogg has visited a specialist and has been ordered to take it easy to try and let the problem clear naturally.

Paatelainen added: "The doctor said it is very likely the effect from that concussion, that Chris needs to relax and take it easy for ten days or so. The important thing is we make sure Chris takes care of himself, that he does what the doctors says and comes back 100 per cent."

Hibs' victory against Aberdeen puts them a point ahead of capital rivals Hearts, with the Edinburgh derby their next fixture at Easter Road on Sunday, 19 October, but striker Colin Nish has admitted that the winning goal at Pittodrie – a Derek Riordan penalty – was fortuitous.

The spot-kick, which saw Charlie Mulgrew sent off for handball, was awarded by referee Mike McCurry despite the ball coming off Steven Fletcher in an offside position.

Nish said: "I said to Fletch as soon as the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot that he was offside, but he said he wasn't as he was standing beside the goalie. But we have watched it again on the DVD and he is about 12 yards offside.

"I think we would have won the game anyway as we created enough chances. We got a wee bit of a break with the winner, but we have not been getting that many, especially up there as the last few times we have gone up we have not been getting the breaks so I think we deserve it this time."

Meanwhile, Hibs have arranged a friendly match against Livingston at Almondvale on Thursday and are expected to give Moroccan goalkeeper Khalid Sinouh a chance to prove himself. It has not yet been agreed whether the game will be open to the public or not.