The Edinburgh Reporter February 2022

22 SPORT
Playing football
in the right way
Hibs’ fans buy
into Maloney’s
attacking
philosophy
By JOHN HISLOP
HIBS FANS HAVE always demanded
entertaining and attacking football played on
the ground and that is why Shaun Maloney
was appointed as new manager last month.
The former Scotland international left his
role as Belgium assistant manager having
joined Roberto Martinez’s backroom team
in 2018 and will be assisted by ex-Hibs
captain and former Wigan team-mate
Gary Caldwell.
Hibs’ CEO Ben Kensell said: “We wanted
to acquire a manager who has an attacking
mentality, who’s progressive, and someone
who is hungry for the opportunity to build
something here at this big club. Shaun has
been the standout candidate throughout this
process as his idea of football is completely
aligned with ours and the history of this
football club. He believes in attacking,
possession-based football, and has
implemented it at the highest level with
Roberto Martínez at Belgium.”
NEW STYLE
The fans have already witnessed the new
style of play with victories over Aberdeen
and Dundee United and although the team
lost to Celtic in Glasgow, the players
continued to adopt Maloney’s philosophy.
The 38-year-old said: “It will take a bit
of time for the players to understand how
I want them to play, but the coaching
process starts this morning and we will
build from there.
“The connection between us and the
supporters is key at the start. We have to try
and look to excite and inspire the fans.
“I want to try and implement a style which
I believe is the best way to win, it is not just
for style’s sake - I really believe it is the best
way to win and excite the fans at the
same time.
“We have to inspire the players to play a
certain way and hopefully build a connection
between myself, the players and the fans.
Hibs coach Shaun Maloney aims to
punch above the Leith club’s weight
“I always felt there was a different way of
playing when I was a player myself. In my
late twenties, when we played against top
teams and other nations I began to get
exposed to different styles of play.
“Roberto Martinez was a big influence
on me at that stage in my career and more
Ian Jacobs
recently in the last few years with Belgium.
That influence has given me a deep desire to
create a different style in Scotland.
“Hopefully the way we play will show that
even more but we have to compete, we have
to fight in every game, every training session
and every moment if we want to achieve.”
Gullan heads
across Forth to
Raith Rovers
By JOHN HISLOP
JAMIE GULLAN has joined Raith Rovers after
leaving Hibs in the transfer window.
Nicknamed “The Hammer’”by fans and team
mates at Easter Road, the 22-year-old joined
Hibs in 2014 after starting in the Hearts youth
coaching system.
He quickly progressed through the Academy
ranks scoring one of the goals in the final as
Hibs beat Aberdeen to win the 2017–18
Scottish Youth Cup.
Neil Lennon gave him his first-team debut
against Faroese club NSI Runavik in the Europa
League qualifiers in July 2018 and since then he
featured in 37 games, scoring three goals, all of
them in cup competitions.
His first was in a 5-2 victory over Inverness
Caledonian Thistle in the quarter-final of the
Scottish Cup but just as he was starting to
become a regular in the first-team, Covid struck
and football was suspended before returning
without fans.
Gullan was a popular player with the
supporters for his commitment to the cause
and he has left the club with their best wishes
for the future.
He enjoyed three successful loans spells
with Raith Rovers and decided to make the
move permanent.
He said: “I’m delighted to be back at the club
in a Raith Rovers shirt and this time it’s a
permanent deal so it’s a bit different to the
six-months loan spells we’ve been doing in
the past.
“I’ll now be able to concentrate on Raith
100% without looking to see what’s happening
back at Hibs.
“I hope to hit the ground running in some
important matches coming up soon. I’m
looking to them and just buzzing to get back
playing football.
“The gaffer (John McGlynn) here put faith in
me at a young age so I am thankful for that and
that’s helped me as a player and it’s now time
for me to repay that faith. ”
Gullan joins a former Hibs’ teammate at
Starks Park, Sam Stanton. Jamie said: “I was a
young boy when he was in the first team so I
know how Sam plays and I know good a player
he is. I can’t wait to link up with him. We are
both fresh and looking to hit the ground
running as soon as possible.”
Ian Jacobs