2011–12 Hibernian F.C. season

Friendlies

Hibs announced details of four friendly pre-season fixtures against Scottish Football League opposition on 18 May 2011. Amid uncertainty over the future of manager Colin Calderwood, linked with a return to English football, Hibs won their first pre-season friendly, against Berwick Rangers. Former Celtic player Cillian Sheridan joined the club on trial and scored in a 3–1 win at East Fife. Hibs made an offer to sign Sheridan, but he eventually joined St Johnstone instead. A match against Barnsley, scheduled for 16 July, was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Fixtures

Palsson
Sodje Russell Trialist Clarke

Scottish Premier League

Hibernian started the league season with a home game against Celtic, which ended in a 2–0 defeat. In their second game, Hibs won 1–0 against Inverness CT thanks to an injury time goal by Garry O'Connor. It was their first win in 10 attempts at the Caledonian Stadium. Poor results, particularly at home, meant that Hibs were just one point off the bottom of the league in mid-October. The club also recorded a financial loss of £900,000 for the year ended 31 July 2011, the first bottom line loss in seven years. Hibs sacked manager Colin Calderwood on 6 November 2011, two days before the club AGM. Billy Brown, who had been sacked by Hearts in August and then hired by Hibs as assistant manager, was made caretaker manager.

Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon was recruited as the new Hibs manager later in November. His first game officially in charge, an away match against Motherwell, was abandoned at half-time due to safety reasons. A small fire had broken out inside the floodlights during the first half. Hibs earned only one point from Fenlon's first five matches in charge. After an Edinburgh derby defeat on 2 January, Hibs were still just one point above the bottom position. Despite progressing to the semi-final of the Scottish Cup, Hibs continued to struggle in the SPL and are in a two-way fight with Dunfermline Athletic to avoid relegation. A win against Inverness lifted Hibs six points clear of the Fife club with six games to play.

Hibs went into the post-split fixtures in 11th place, seven points ahead of Dunfermline, who occupied the relegation position. Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies said that they would need to win their first post-split fixture, against St Mirren, to stand a realistic chance of avoiding relegation. Dunfermline took four points from their first two games after the split, while Hibs suffered two 1–0 defeats, which cut the gap to three points. Hibs responded by winning 2–1 at Aberdeen, which meant that Dunfermline needed to beat Hibs in their next match to avoid relegation. Hibs ended any relegation worries, however, with a 4–0 victory.

Fixtures

Ki Hanlon
Dayton Thomson Webster Hanlon O'Connor Robertson
Agogo Swanson O'Connor Sheridan O'Hanlon Haber
Mackay Daly Webster
Skacel Buchanan O'Connor Booth Craig
Sandaza Healy
Aluko Hooper Mulgrew
Ki Murphy Doherty
Sproule O'Donovan Santana Mackay-Steven Hayes O'Connor Griffiths O'Hanlon Doyle
O'Connor
Hanlon Hayes

Scottish Cup

Hibs entered the 2011–12 Scottish Cup in the fourth round, with an away tie against Second Division leaders Cowdenbeath. Hibs conceded the opening goal after just 19 seconds, but recovered to win 3–2. In the fifth round, Hibs were drawn to play the winner of a replay between Dundee and Kilmarnock. Kilmarnock won 2–1 in that replay and advanced to the fifth round tie against Hibs. Hibs beat Kilmarnock 1–0 in the tie, with Irish striker Eoin Doyle scoring the only goal of the game. This meant that Hibs progressed to the quarter-final, and were drawn against the winner of a postponed tie between First Division clubs Ayr United and Falkirk. Ayr won 2–1 against Falkirk to set up the tie against Hibs.

Hibs progressed to the semi-finals, for the first time since 2007, with a 2–0 win at Somerset Park. The semi-final draw paired Hibs with Aberdeen, while league leaders Celtic were drawn against the winners of a replay between Hearts and St Mirren. A late goal by Leigh Griffiths gave Hibs a 2–1 victory against Aberdeen, and therefore a place in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final. Hearts defeated Celtic in the second semi-final to set up a first Edinburgh derby in a Scottish Cup Final since 1896.

The final, however, ended in a 5–1 defeat for Hibs, extending their wait to win the Scottish Cup. Hibs went 2–0 down inside 30 minutes, but James McPake scored for Hibs just before half-time. The decisive moment came just after half-time, when referee Craig Thomson awarded a penalty kick to Hearts (which was converted) and sent off Pa Kujabi for a second yellow card. Hearts added two further goals in the second half to complete the scoring. Hibs manager Pat Fenlon apologised to the Hibs supporters for the lack of desire shown by their players. Former Hibs captain Murdo MacLeod described their display as inept and only absolved McPake from his criticism.

Fixtures

Robertson Doyle
Wotherspoon Griffiths Griffiths Skacel
Grainger
McGowan

Scottish League Cup

Having failed to qualify for European competition in the previous season, Hibernian entered the Scottish League Cup at the second round stage. The club were drawn to play Berwick Rangers at home. Hibs progressed to the third round with a comfortable victory. In the third round, Hibs were drawn in one of the two all-SPL ties, away to Motherwell. Hibs won on a penalty shootout after a 2–2 draw at Fir Park. They were again drawn against SPL opposition in the quarter-final, at home to Celtic. Hibs took an early lead in that tie, but were eventually beaten 4–1.

Fixtures

Sodje
O'Connor
Sproule (6 – 7 pen.) Higdon Stokes
Hooper

Transfers

Hibs announced on 29 April that 10 players would be released at the end of their contracts, including loan signing Darryl Duffy. The first two signings of the summer by Hibs were to bring back former heroes Ivan Sproule and Garry O'Connor. This move was questioned by former manager John Hughes, who asked whether they would show the sharpness necessary in their attacking positions. After O'Connor scored a match-winning goal early in the season, however, The Scotsman football writer Stuart Bathgate questioned this logic. After a week in which Hibs signed Isaiah Osbourne and Phil Airey, manager Colin Calderwood commented that he was still looking for more additions to the squad.

Calderwood was sacked in November 2011 and replaced by Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon, who returned to Ireland to make his first signing, Sligo Rovers striker Eoin Doyle. In January 2012, Hibs released Junior Agogo, Victor Pálsson and Matt Thornhill. Towards the end of January, Fenlon made several additions to the squad, mainly using the loan market. These signings, particularly central defender James McPake, helped Hibs to retain their position in the SPL and a placed in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final.

Players in

Players out

Loans in

Loans out

Player stats

During the 2011–12 season, Hibs used 35 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.

|}

References

References

1. Campbell, Andy. (19 May 2012). "Hibernian 1–5 Hearts". BBC.
2. (18 May 2011). "Friendly Dates Announced". Hibernian F.C. official website.
3. (2 July 2011). "Calderwood leads Hibs to win". [[Sporting Life (British newspaper).
4. McGuire, Annie. (8 July 2011). "Cillian Sheridan delighted to join Hibs on trial". [[BBC Sport]].
5. (16 July 2011). "Barnsley Game Called Off". Hibernian F.C..
6. (16 July 2011). "Scottish friendly matches called off due to rain". [[BBC Sport]].
7. Bohill, David. (17 June 2011). "SPL fixtures: Hibs play host to Celtic on first day". [[Daily Record (Scotland).
8. (24 July 2011). "Hibernian 0 – 2 Celtic". BBC.
9. Hannan, Martin. (1 August 2011). "Inverness CT 0–1 Hibernian: O'Connor goal breaks Hibs' long-standing Highland hoodoo". Johnston Press.
10. Moffat, Colin. (18 October 2011). "Hibs' unhappy birthday". BBC.
11. (18 October 2011). "Hibernian post annual loss for the first time in seven years". BBC.
12. McLauchlin, Brian. (6 November 2011). "Colin Calderwood sacked as Hibernian manager". BBC.
13. (7 November 2011). "Billy Brown given Hibs caretaker role". BBC.
14. (25 November 2011). "Hibernian appoint Pat Fenlon as new manager". BBC.
15. (2 December 2011). "Floodlight failure sees 'Well v Hibs game abandoned". BBC.
16. (3 January 2012). "Hibernian need manager stability, feels Paatelainen". BBC.
17. Young, Chick. (27 March 2012). "Chick Young on the SPL's relegation battle". BBC.
18. Montgomery, Crawford. (1 April 2012). "Inverness CT 2–3 Hibernian". BBC.
19. (19 April 2012). "Hibs must improve dire post-split record". Johnston Press.
20. (19 April 2012). "Dunfermline must beat St Mirren to beat drop – Jefferies". BBC.
21. (29 April 2012). "St Mirren 1–0 Hibernian". BBC.
22. (2 May 2012). "Hibs manager Pat Fenlon emphasise league win importance". BBC.
23. Campbell, Andy. (7 May 2012). "Hibernian 4–0 Dunfermline". BBC.
24. (22 November 2011). "Auchinleck Talbot face Hearts in Scottish Cup". BBC.
25. McLauchlin, Brian. (5 January 2012). "Cowdenbeath aim to dump Hibs out of Scottish Cup". BBC.
26. Moffat, Colin. (7 January 2012). "Cowdenbeath 2 – 3 Hibernian". BBC.
27. (9 January 2012). "Rangers face Scottish Cup test against Dundee United". BBC.
28. (17 January 2012). "Kilmarnock 2–1 Dundee". BBC.
29. Campbell, Andy. (4 February 2012). "Hibernian 1–0 Kilmarnock". BBC.
30. (6 February 2012). "Dundee Utd drawn to face Scottish Cup holders Celtic". BBC.
31. (15 February 2012). "Ayr 2–1 Falkirk". BBC.
32. (11 March 2012). "Celtic await winners of Scottish Cup replay in semi-finals". BBC.
33. Lindsay, Clive. (14 April 2012). "Aberdeen 1–2 Hibernian". BBC.
34. Lindsay, Clive. (15 April 2012). "Celtic 1–2 Hearts". BBC.
35. (19 May 2012). "Pat Fenlon says sorry to Hibs fans after Scottish Cup final defeat". BBC.
36. MacLeod, Murdo. (21 May 2012). "Shocker from my old team". Trinity Mirror.
37. (2 August 2011). "Aberdeen meet Dundee in League Cup". BBC.
38. (23 August 2011). "Hibernian 5 – 0 Berwick". BBC.
39. (29 August 2011). "Celtic draw Ross County in League Cup third round". BBC.
40. (20 September 2011). "Motherwell 2 – 2 Hibernian". BBC.
41. (22 September 2011). "Scottish League Cup draw sees Hibernian host Celtic". BBC.
42. (24 September 2011). "BBC to screen Hibernian v Celtic in Scottish League Cup". BBC.
43. McGuire, Annie. (26 October 2011). "Hibernian 1 – 4 Celtic". BBC.
44. (29 April 2011). "Hibernian to release 10 players". [[BBC Sport]].
45. (25 June 2011). "Garry O'Connor is Hibs gamble – John Hughes". [[BBC Sport]].
46. (1 August 2011). "O'Connor quickly proving naysayers wrong". Johnston Press.
47. McLauchlin, Brian. (12 August 2011). "Hibernian still in the hunt for new faces". BBC.
48. (7 May 2012). "Loan stars paid off well for Hibs". Johnston Press.
49. (18 May 2011). "Winger Sproule signs pre-contract deal with Hibernian". BBC.
50. (15 June 2011). "Striker Garry O'Connor returns to former club Hibernian". BBC.
51. (17 June 2011). "Defender Sean O'Hanlon joins Hibs in two-year deal". BBC.
52. (26 July 2011). "Striker Joins Hibernian". [[Hibernian F.C.]].
53. McLauchlin, Brian. (10 August 2011). "Isaiah Osbourne completes move to Hibernian". BBC.
54. (1 September 2011). "Edwin de Graaf out, Adam Mitter in at Hibs". BBC.
55. (22 December 2011). "Hibernian sign up striker Eoin Doyle". BBC.
56. (31 January 2012). "Hibernian sign 'Gambian Roberto Carlos' Pa Saikou Kujabi". BBC.
57. (17 May 2011). "Former Hibs midfielder John Rankin joins Dundee United". BBC.
58. (27 June 2011). "Pools clinch Nish deal". [[Sky Sports]].
59. (14 October 2011). "McBride Signs". [[Hamilton Academical F.C.]].
60. (22 August 2011). "McCann signs". [[Greenock Morton F.C.]].
61. (3 July 2011). "Flynn on board". [[Cowdenbeath F.C.]].
62. (14 June 2011). "Ross County snap up two more". [[Ross-shire Journal]].
63. (27 July 2011). "Gateshead in quadruple signing". [[Gateshead F.C.]].
64. (18 August 2011). "The Francis Dickoh in ARH". arisfc.gr.
65. (3 June 2011). "Liam Miller leaves Hibs for Perth Glory in Australia". BBC.
66. (3 August 2011). "Tykes take Vaz Te". [[British Sky Broadcasting]].
67. Bean, Graham. (17 June 2011). "Ricardo Vaz Te and Jakub Divis exit Hibs as Colin Calderwood eyes forwards". [[The Scotsman]].
68. McLaughlin, Chris. (7 July 2011). "Former Hibs forward Derek Riordan joins Shaanxi Chanba". BBC.
69. (1 September 2011). "Excelsior trekt transfervrije routinier De Graaf aan". [[Voetbal International]].
70. (28 September 2011). "SJFA News – Wednesday, 28 September 2011". [[Scottish Football Association]].
71. Hoey, John. (6 January 2012). "One in One Out at the Glebe". Brechin City FC.
72. (6 January 2012). "Winger Departure Confirmed". [[Hibernian F.C.]].
73. (10 February 2012). "Red Bulls Sign Midfielder Victor Palsson". [[New York Red Bulls]].
74. Watters, David. (16 November 2012). "Bucks lifeline for Hibs star". Northern Premier League.
75. (13 January 2012). "Hibs release Junior Agogo after Thornhill and Palsson exits". BBC.
76. (22 August 2019). "Junior Agogo: Ex-Ghana, Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers striker dies aged 40". BBC Sport.
77. (21 February 2012). "St Johnstone to sign Michael Hart as Carl Finnigan joins Dundee". BBC.
78. "Akpo Sodje ya se entrena con las filas del Tianjin Teda chino". planetafichajes.com.
79. (31 January 2012). "Striker Akpo Sodje and Hibernian agree to part company". BBC.
80. (11 August 2011). "Hibs sign Newcastle striker Phil Airey on loan". BBC.
81. (25 August 2011). "Celtic's Richie Towell rejoins Hibernian". BBC.
82. (27 August 2011). "Hibs clinch Griffiths loan". BSkyB.
83. (12 January 2012). "Hibs sign Norwich defender George Francomb on loan". BBC.
84. (23 January 2012). "Stoke's Tom Soares and Coventry's James McPake join Hibs on loan". BBC.
85. (31 January 2012). "Claros signs". Hibernian F.C..
86. (31 January 2012). "Coventry's O'Donovan and Wolves' Doherty loaned to Hibs". BBC.
87. {{soccerbase. 60436
88. (26 August 2011). "City Sign Defender and Winger". [[Brechin City F.C.]].
89. (22 September 2011). "Hibernian Youngster Signs on loan". [[Stranraer F.C.]].
90. (8 November 2011). "Shire Take Lewis on Loan". [[East Stirlingshire F.C.]].
91. (28 March 2012). "Loan Transfer Update". Hibernian F.C..
92. "Hibernian 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase.