L
LAST MINUTE GOALS
Late goals add to the drama of football immensely. When last minute goals come in Derby matches they make and shatter dreams in equal measure. Hibs have had their share of last minute joy in derby games.
In January 1936 Hibs drew the derby 1-1 at Easter Road courtesy of a last minute strike by Tommy Brady. A few months later the clubs tied 3-3 at Easter Road with Willie Black getting a last gasp equalizer for Hibs.
In November 1975 Pat Stanton scored in what was reckoned to be the 93rd minute to give Hibs a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle. At the same venue in August 1978 Hibs got ‘out of jail’ again when Ally MacLeod headed a last minute equaliser.
In December 2001 John O’Neil grabbed a last minute equaliser for Franck Sauzee’s side. This late goal ensured that Hibs had lost only once in 12 derby games.
During the first half of a derby game at Easter Road in August 2003 Grant Brebner was sent off. Amazingly Hibs, despite playing most of the game with 10 men, snatched victory when Garry O’Connor scored deep into injury time.
Away from derby games there have been plenty of instances where late goals have made all the difference.
Willie Ormond made his home debut for Hibernian against Rangers on December 14, 1946. In the final minute he scored to earn Hibs a 1-1 draw in what was a classic tight title chase.
In winning the First Division in 1998/99 Hibs relied heavily on late goals against less fit opposition. Indeed they started their successful campaign with a 92nd minute winner at Morton. Barry Lavety got the memorable winner in Greenock and soon the likes of Stevie Crawford, Stuart Lovell, Pat McGinlay and John Hughes were scoring decisive late goals at the expense of Clydebank, Stranraer, Morton (again) and Ayr United.
In November 2001 Hibs lost two goals in the final minute of a 0-2 defeat to Aberdeen. Having conceded the first goal goalkeeper Nick Colgan joined the attack as an auxiliary striker and was caught upfield when Hibs conceded their second.
In January 1936 Hibs drew the derby 1-1 at Easter Road courtesy of a last minute strike by Tommy Brady. A few months later the clubs tied 3-3 at Easter Road with Willie Black getting a last gasp equalizer for Hibs.
In November 1975 Pat Stanton scored in what was reckoned to be the 93rd minute to give Hibs a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle. At the same venue in August 1978 Hibs got ‘out of jail’ again when Ally MacLeod headed a last minute equaliser.
In December 2001 John O’Neil grabbed a last minute equaliser for Franck Sauzee’s side. This late goal ensured that Hibs had lost only once in 12 derby games.
During the first half of a derby game at Easter Road in August 2003 Grant Brebner was sent off. Amazingly Hibs, despite playing most of the game with 10 men, snatched victory when Garry O’Connor scored deep into injury time.
Away from derby games there have been plenty of instances where late goals have made all the difference.
Willie Ormond made his home debut for Hibernian against Rangers on December 14, 1946. In the final minute he scored to earn Hibs a 1-1 draw in what was a classic tight title chase.
In winning the First Division in 1998/99 Hibs relied heavily on late goals against less fit opposition. Indeed they started their successful campaign with a 92nd minute winner at Morton. Barry Lavety got the memorable winner in Greenock and soon the likes of Stevie Crawford, Stuart Lovell, Pat McGinlay and John Hughes were scoring decisive late goals at the expense of Clydebank, Stranraer, Morton (again) and Ayr United.
In November 2001 Hibs lost two goals in the final minute of a 0-2 defeat to Aberdeen. Having conceded the first goal goalkeeper Nick Colgan joined the attack as an auxiliary striker and was caught upfield when Hibs conceded their second.
RUSSELL LATAPY (1968 -
One of the most remarkably gifted players to serve Hibernian in the post-war era. Russell Latapy had all of the skills to justify his nickname ‘Little Magician’. Standing at only 5’6” he joined Hibernian when he was already 30 but what a difference he made.
He was raised on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and played with Trintoc, Port Morant United and the Newtown club in Port of Spain before being ‘spotted’ whilst holidaying in Canada.
His progress once spotted was rapid. He joined Porto in 1995 and was farmed out to Portuguese second division side Academica Coimbra for four years. He had over 50 caps for Trinidad and Tobago before he moved to Portugal and by the time he retired from international football had taken that total to over 100.
His stint in the Iberian peninsular reached its zenith with Porto and in Bobby Robson’s side he was a UEFA Cup quarter finalists and the first Trinidadian to play in the Champions League. From Porto he moved to city rivals Boavista, where he added a cup winners medal to the two championship badges he had collected at Porto. More importantly for Hibernian it brought him to Alex McLeish’s attention.
Signed as a 30 year old during the club’s successful First Division campaign of 1998/99 he quickly won a host of admirers. His trickery, powerful shooting and sheer entertainment value marked him out and he was duly voted First Division Player of the Year in 1999.
His wonderful, incisive play could open up the tightest of defences and in the modern era some of the finest Hibernian displays coincided with his ‘good days’. Russell was one of the most popular sporting figures in the West Indies and his friend and West Indian cricket captain Brian Lara even came to Easter Road to cheer him on.
Many things made Russell such a good player. He could go past players with a mere shuffle of his feet or sway of his hips. His passing was incredibly perceptive and fell into the ‘threading the needle’ category. What’s more he could, and did score regularly, thumping shots in from all angles.
Sadly Russell’s career at Hibernian ended in tawdry fashion. As the year 2001 got underway he was negotiating a new contract and seemingly too far from the club’s figures. A late-night drinking-session in the spring saw him miss training. This was one indiscretion too many for the club and he did not play again for Hibs. Given that these events happened in the very season in which the club was chasing a Champions League spot and Scottish Cup glory this was sad indeed. His Hibernian career was over after 82 league games and 22 goals.
In the summer of 2001 Russell moved to Rangers where he won a League Cup medal before less successful, but highly entertaining, stints with Dundee United and Falkirk.
He was raised on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and played with Trintoc, Port Morant United and the Newtown club in Port of Spain before being ‘spotted’ whilst holidaying in Canada.
His progress once spotted was rapid. He joined Porto in 1995 and was farmed out to Portuguese second division side Academica Coimbra for four years. He had over 50 caps for Trinidad and Tobago before he moved to Portugal and by the time he retired from international football had taken that total to over 100.
His stint in the Iberian peninsular reached its zenith with Porto and in Bobby Robson’s side he was a UEFA Cup quarter finalists and the first Trinidadian to play in the Champions League. From Porto he moved to city rivals Boavista, where he added a cup winners medal to the two championship badges he had collected at Porto. More importantly for Hibernian it brought him to Alex McLeish’s attention.
Signed as a 30 year old during the club’s successful First Division campaign of 1998/99 he quickly won a host of admirers. His trickery, powerful shooting and sheer entertainment value marked him out and he was duly voted First Division Player of the Year in 1999.
His wonderful, incisive play could open up the tightest of defences and in the modern era some of the finest Hibernian displays coincided with his ‘good days’. Russell was one of the most popular sporting figures in the West Indies and his friend and West Indian cricket captain Brian Lara even came to Easter Road to cheer him on.
Many things made Russell such a good player. He could go past players with a mere shuffle of his feet or sway of his hips. His passing was incredibly perceptive and fell into the ‘threading the needle’ category. What’s more he could, and did score regularly, thumping shots in from all angles.
Sadly Russell’s career at Hibernian ended in tawdry fashion. As the year 2001 got underway he was negotiating a new contract and seemingly too far from the club’s figures. A late-night drinking-session in the spring saw him miss training. This was one indiscretion too many for the club and he did not play again for Hibs. Given that these events happened in the very season in which the club was chasing a Champions League spot and Scottish Cup glory this was sad indeed. His Hibernian career was over after 82 league games and 22 goals.
In the summer of 2001 Russell moved to Rangers where he won a League Cup medal before less successful, but highly entertaining, stints with Dundee United and Falkirk.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Hibernian have won the league title three times since the Second World War. Their initial triumph post-war came in the 1947/48 season. It signaled a purple patch for the club that saw them win three titles in five years. The start of their struggle with Rangers would become a significant feature of post-war Scottish League football.
Hibernian first won the Scottish Championship in 1903. At the time they were Scottish Cup holders and arguably the strongest side in Scotland. Their only league defeat in the campaign came on the road when they travelled to Glasgow to tackle Third Lanark. Hopes of a league and cup double were ended when Dundee won a twice replayed Scottish Cup tie.
Hibernian first won the Scottish Championship in 1903. At the time they were Scottish Cup holders and arguably the strongest side in Scotland. Their only league defeat in the campaign came on the road when they travelled to Glasgow to tackle Third Lanark. Hopes of a league and cup double were ended when Dundee won a twice replayed Scottish Cup tie.
1902/03 final table … Scottish Division 1
P W D L F A Pts
1 Hibernian 22 16 5 1 48 18 37
2 Dundee 22 13 5 4 31 12 31
3 Rangers 22 12 5 5 56 30 29
4 Hearts 22 11 6 5 46 27 28
5 Celtic 22 8 10 4 36 30 26
6 St. Mirren 22 7 8 7 39 40 22
7 Third L’k 22 8 5 9 34 27 21
8 Partick Th 22 6 7 9 34 50 19
9 Kilmarnock 22 6 4 12 24 43 16
10 Queen’s P 22 5 5 12 33 48 15
11 Pt Glgow R 22 3 5 14 26 49 11
12 Morton 22 2 5 15 22 55 9
P W D L F A Pts
1 Hibernian 22 16 5 1 48 18 37
2 Dundee 22 13 5 4 31 12 31
3 Rangers 22 12 5 5 56 30 29
4 Hearts 22 11 6 5 46 27 28
5 Celtic 22 8 10 4 36 30 26
6 St. Mirren 22 7 8 7 39 40 22
7 Third L’k 22 8 5 9 34 27 21
8 Partick Th 22 6 7 9 34 50 19
9 Kilmarnock 22 6 4 12 24 43 16
10 Queen’s P 22 5 5 12 33 48 15
11 Pt Glgow R 22 3 5 14 26 49 11
12 Morton 22 2 5 15 22 55 9
That success did not lead to a string of honours and Hibs fans suffered some fairly meagre fare for several years, culminating in relegation in 1931. However, during the Second World War Hibs underwent something of a transformation, signed some exceptional players and paved the way for a period of post war success.
Hibernian gave warning that they had invested their efforts wisely when post-war football resumed. In their first competitive fixture Hibs did much more than collect the two league points on offer; they swept aside Queen of the South by a staggering 9-1! Hibs also won on their first trip to Ibrox, beating Rangers 2-1 thanks to goals by Johnny Aitkenhead and Jock Weir.
But come the end of the season Hibernian were ‘bridesmaids’ in all three domestic trophies, losing the league title to Rangers by two points, the League Cup semi-final to the same opponents and worst of all the Scottish Cup final to Aberdeen (despite the luxury of a first minute goal).
The 1947/48 campaign brought just rewards for Hibernian. A ten match winning streak from January to April played a huge part. Indeed Hibs lost only once in their final 18 league matches - and that when the title was already securely won. The 1-0 win over Rangers at Easter Road on January 31st was arguably the key result of the successful campaign.
That triumph over Rangers was all the more remarkable when you consider that Hibs had lost manager Willie McCartney just seven days earlier. McCartney had died when he took unwell at the Scottish Cup tie at Albion Rovers and passed away later the same evening. His relationship with chairman Harry Swan was the bedrock upon which the club was built and for Hibs to overcome such a tragedy was an incredible feat. It was Hugh Shaw who had to pick up the managerial mantle and urge the club on in the face of tragedy.
Scottish Division ‘A’
P W D L F A Pts
1 Hibernian 30 22 4 4 86 27 48
2 Rangers 30 21 4 5 64 28 46
3 Partick Th 30 16 4 10 61 42 36
4 Dundee 30 15 3 12 67 51 33
5 St. Mirren 30 13 5 12 54 58 31
6 Clyde 30 12 7 11 52 57 31
7 Falkirk 30 10 10 10 55 48 30
8 Motherwell 30 13 3 14 45 47 29
9 Hearts 30 10 8 12 37 42 28
10 Aberdeen 30 10 7 13 45 45 27
11 Third L’k 30 10 6 14 56 73 26
12 Celtic 30 10 5 15 41 56 25
13 Q.O.S. 30 10 5 15 49 74 25
l4 Morton 30 9 6 15 47 43 24
15 Airdrie ....30 7 7 16 39 78 21
16 Queen’s P 30 9 2 19 45 75 20
P W D L F A Pts
1 Hibernian 30 22 4 4 86 27 48
2 Rangers 30 21 4 5 64 28 46
3 Partick Th 30 16 4 10 61 42 36
4 Dundee 30 15 3 12 67 51 33
5 St. Mirren 30 13 5 12 54 58 31
6 Clyde 30 12 7 11 52 57 31
7 Falkirk 30 10 10 10 55 48 30
8 Motherwell 30 13 3 14 45 47 29
9 Hearts 30 10 8 12 37 42 28
10 Aberdeen 30 10 7 13 45 45 27
11 Third L’k 30 10 6 14 56 73 26
12 Celtic 30 10 5 15 41 56 25
13 Q.O.S. 30 10 5 15 49 74 25
l4 Morton 30 9 6 15 47 43 24
15 Airdrie ....30 7 7 16 39 78 21
16 Queen’s P 30 9 2 19 45 75 20
The Edinburgh Evening News was delighted with Hibs triumph and the manner in which it had been achieved. Under a screaming headline of HIBS CHAMPIONS the paper gushed “Hibernians, by their splendid record as cup fighters, a reputation which they have built up and enhanced during the war years, have done much to restore the soccer prestige of the capital, and they owe their pre-eminent position in the game to sound recruiting and able management.”
The 1950/51 season brought Hibs their second championship of the period but in truth could have easily landed a double or even treble trophy success. Beaten surprisingly in the League Cup final by Motherwell they then lost the Scottish Cup semi-final to the same opponents. However, in the league no mistake was made, with arch-rivals Rangers being edged out by a huge 10 point margin. By this stage the jousts between the Famous Five forward line of Hibs and the Iron curtain defence of Rangers (Brown, Young, Shaw. McColl, Woodburn and Cox.) were becoming legendary.
The season started with a 6-0 win over Falkirk in which Lawrie Reilly scored four. But Hibs lost their next two games (to Hearts and Aberdeen) and with a busy League Cup run slipped behind both in terms of points gathered and matches played.
Even when Hibs rallied in quite stunning fashion they found themselves joint second bottom of the league. A 6-2 win at Motherwell was followed by a draw at Rangers and then eight consecutive league victories. It was that run of victories that finally saw Hibs climb the table. Hearts won the New Year Derby but that merely sent Hibs off on another super run, this time managing six wins in seven matches before Airdrie surprisingly halted Hibs 2-1 at Broomfield. But Hibs made short work of their subsequent opponents and then they won 4-0 at Clyde on April 11th they official won the championship.
Jimmy Souness making his first league outing of the season made his mark by scoring two of the four goals against Clyde but Lawrie Reilly with 23 goals in just 29 matches was the star of the season’s scoring charts. The season ended with 4-1 and 3-1 victories over Rangers and Celtic respectively as Hibs showed their true power.
Scottish Division ‘A’
P W D L F A Pts
1 Hibernian 30 22 4 4 78 26 48
2 Rangers 30 17 4 9 64 37 38
3 Dundee 30 15 8 7 47 30 38
4 Hearts 30 16 5 9 72 45 37
5 Aberdeen 30 15 5 10 61 50 35
6 Partick Th. 30 13 7 10 57 48 33
7 Celtic 30 12 5 13 48 46 29
8 Raith Rovers 30 13 2 15 52 52 28
9 Motherwell 30 11 6 13 58 65 28
10 East Fife 30 10 8 12 48 66 28
11 St Mirren 30 9 7 14 35 51 25
12 Morton 30 10 4 16 47 59 24
13 Third L’k 30 11 2 17 49 51 24
14 Airdrie 30 10 4 16 52 67 24
15 Clyde 30 8 7 15 37 57 23
16 Falkirk 30 7 4 19 35 81 18
A ten point title-winning margin had created an air of expectation and the club was arguably the most popular side in Scotland. Hibs rose to the challenge and retained the title in 1952 with another show of all out goal-getting. Lawrie Reilly epitomized this with an even better 27 goals in only 29 starts. Inside-forward Bobby Johnstone had 23 goals and in truth the club was wiping the floor with opponents left right and centre. Stirling Albion, for example, were beaten 8-0 at Easter Road and both home and away Hibs scored five times against Third Lanark. Hibernian scored in each and every league game.
Yet for all that Rangers (who were once again second) closed the winning margin down to four points. A key result therefore came on February 12th when Hibs traveled to Ibrox and drew 2-2 in a very important clash. That result didn’t halt the chase and Rangers won five games in succession. On March 15th Rangers won a match against relegation haunted Morton while Hibs were being thrashed 5-2 at Queen of the South. It seemed that Rangers would prevail.
But this reckoned without Motherwell who had played two bruising Scottish Cup quarter final matches with the Glasgow club that generated considerable ill-feeling. The Lanarkshire club played like men possessed against Rangers to win a league clash in late March (despite having a man controversially sent off) and then Queen of the South held Rangers to a draw.
An amazing relegation battle made results at the end of the season difficult to predict. To illustrate the point it is worth noting that 8th place Dundee finished only four points ahead of relegated Morton; clubs like Celtic and Aberdeen were dragged into a fierce relegation scrap. Thus Queen of the South who had been early season push-overs became a very different proposition at the end of the campaign.
Suddenly the way was clear for Hibs and a victory at home to Dundee clinched the title on April 9th. Given that Dundee were Scottish Cup finalists it would be safe to assume they had other things on their mind, they were certainly more attractive opponents than relegation threatened sides. Willie Ormond, who had missed a huge part of the season scored twice and thus rendered the last game of the season – a tricky home game against cup winners Motherwell – meaningless.
Scottish Division ‘A’
P W D L F A Pts
1 Hibernian 30 20 5 5 92 36 45
2 Rangers 30 16 9 5 61 31 41
3 East Fife 30 17 3 10 71 49 37
4 Hearts 30 14 7 9 69 53 35
5 Raith Rovers 30 14 5 11 43 42 33
6 Partick Th 30 12 7 11 48 51 31
7 Motherwell 30 12 7 11 51 57 31
8 Dundee 30 11 6 13 53 52 28
9 Celtic 30 10 8 12 52 55 28
10 Q.O.S. 30 10 8 12 50 60 28
11 Aberdeen 30 10 7 13 65 58 27
12 Airdrie 30 11 4 15 54 69 26
13 Third L’k 30 9 8 13 51 62 26
14 St Mirren 30 10 5 15 43 58 25
15 Morton 30 9 6 15 49 56 24
16 Stirling A 30 5 5 20 36 99 15
P W D L F A Pts
1 Hibernian 30 20 5 5 92 36 45
2 Rangers 30 16 9 5 61 31 41
3 East Fife 30 17 3 10 71 49 37
4 Hearts 30 14 7 9 69 53 35
5 Raith Rovers 30 14 5 11 43 42 33
6 Partick Th 30 12 7 11 48 51 31
7 Motherwell 30 12 7 11 51 57 31
8 Dundee 30 11 6 13 53 52 28
9 Celtic 30 10 8 12 52 55 28
10 Q.O.S. 30 10 8 12 50 60 28
11 Aberdeen 30 10 7 13 65 58 27
12 Airdrie 30 11 4 15 54 69 26
13 Third L’k 30 9 8 13 51 62 26
14 St Mirren 30 10 5 15 43 58 25
15 Morton 30 9 6 15 49 56 24
16 Stirling A 30 5 5 20 36 99 15
In season 1952/53 Hibs lost the league title to Rangers on goal average. Astonishingly it would be the club’s last top three finish until 1968. The immediate post-war period, dominated by the exploits of the Famous Five, had brought sustained title drives by Hibernian as the following snap-shot of the final league tables shows:
1946/47 Rangers ….... 46 Hibernian .… 44 Aberdeen ..… 39
1947/48 Hibernian …. 48 Rangers …… 46 Partick Th … 36
1948/49 Rangers …... 46 Dundee ……. 45 Hibernian … 39
1949/50 Rangers …... 50 Hibernian .… 49 Hearts …….. 43
1950/51 Hibernian …. 48 Rangers ….... 38 Dundee …… 38
1951/52 Hibernian …. 45 Rangers …… 41 East Fife ….. 37
1952/53 Rangers …... 43 Hibernian .… 43 Partick Th … 35
1947/48 Hibernian …. 48 Rangers …… 46 Partick Th … 36
1948/49 Rangers …... 46 Dundee ……. 45 Hibernian … 39
1949/50 Rangers …... 50 Hibernian .… 49 Hearts …….. 43
1950/51 Hibernian …. 48 Rangers ….... 38 Dundee …… 38
1951/52 Hibernian …. 45 Rangers …… 41 East Fife ….. 37
1952/53 Rangers …... 43 Hibernian .… 43 Partick Th … 35
The players who have brought the title back to Easter Road are listed on a season-by-season basis below:
1947/48 - LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Appearances: Buchanan (29), Combe (29), Govan (29), Smith (29), Shaw (28), Linwood (24), Ormond (23), Turnbull (23), Howie (17), Finnigan (15), Kean (13), Kerr (12), Brown (11), Aird (9), Cuthbertson (9), Waldie (8), Farm (7), Reilly (6), Aitkenhead (4), L Johnstone (4), Cairns (1),
1950/51 - LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Appearances: Paterson (30), Younger (29) Reilly (29), Johnstone (29), Combe (27), Buchanan (27), Smith (25), Turnbull 26), Govan (23), Ormond (23), Ogilvie (23), Howie (14), Cairns (7), Wood (5), Gallagher (4), Mulkerin (2), Souness (2), Bruce (1), Ward (1), Gunning (1), Munro (1), Allen (1), Higgins (1)
1951/52 - LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Appearances: Govan (30), Howie (30), Paterson (30), Smith (29), Reilly (29), Turnbull (29), Combe (28), Johnstone (27), Buchanan (25) Younger (24), Gallagher (19), Ormond (19), Kerr (4), Ward (3), Bruce (2), Souness (1), Mulkerrin (1)
JIM LEIGHTON (1958 -
Born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, in 1958, Jim Leighton is without doubt a member of the pantheon of great Scottish goalkeepers. His finest days may very well have come whilst keeping goal for Aberdeen but few would deny he made a huge impact whilst at Dundee and Hibernian. Moreover he gave some legendary performances on the international stage.
He joined Aberdeen in 1977 and eventually flourished under Alex Ferguson, so much so that ‘Fergie’ took him to Manchester United in a 1988 £750,000 deal. That transfer was a British record at the time.
He cemented his place as Scotland’s number one goalkeeper whilst at Old Trafford until the fateful 1990 FA Cup final against Crystal Palace when his manager all but publicly blamed him for several mistakes.
He returned to Scotland with Dundee in early 1992 for £200,000, before Hibernian stepped in during the close season of 1993. Jim proved his reliability by being ever-present on league duty from 1993/94 through to 1995/96, indeed he missed only one game in the 1996/97 campaign.
A veteran of the big occasion he played in the 1993 League Cup final against Rangers and it took a quite outstanding overhead kick by Ally McCoist to beat him. Indeed Hibs would not have reached that final were it not for Jim saving no fewer than three spot kicks in a Fourth Round penalty shoot out against Partick Thistle.
His final season at Easter Road was the 1996/97 season when the club had to defeat Airdrie in a play-off match to retain its Premier League status. Jim was off, back to Aberdeen, in the summer of 1997 and he had enough left him to appear in the 1998 world cup finals.
Jim Leighton was made an MBE in the New Year Honours List of 1998.
He joined Aberdeen in 1977 and eventually flourished under Alex Ferguson, so much so that ‘Fergie’ took him to Manchester United in a 1988 £750,000 deal. That transfer was a British record at the time.
He cemented his place as Scotland’s number one goalkeeper whilst at Old Trafford until the fateful 1990 FA Cup final against Crystal Palace when his manager all but publicly blamed him for several mistakes.
He returned to Scotland with Dundee in early 1992 for £200,000, before Hibernian stepped in during the close season of 1993. Jim proved his reliability by being ever-present on league duty from 1993/94 through to 1995/96, indeed he missed only one game in the 1996/97 campaign.
A veteran of the big occasion he played in the 1993 League Cup final against Rangers and it took a quite outstanding overhead kick by Ally McCoist to beat him. Indeed Hibs would not have reached that final were it not for Jim saving no fewer than three spot kicks in a Fourth Round penalty shoot out against Partick Thistle.
His final season at Easter Road was the 1996/97 season when the club had to defeat Airdrie in a play-off match to retain its Premier League status. Jim was off, back to Aberdeen, in the summer of 1997 and he had enough left him to appear in the 1998 world cup finals.
Jim Leighton was made an MBE in the New Year Honours List of 1998.
HONOURS
Scotland (23)
LEITH CATHOLIC SCHOOL BUILDING FUND
In May 1903 Hibernian arranged a charity match to raise funds for the above cause. The club they invited to help out in this quest were, perhaps bizarrely, Rangers and the Glasgow club played their part in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
ALEX LINWOOD (1920 -
Before Lawrie Reilly claimed the Hibs number nine jersey as his own a number of players tried manfully to fill the position. Alex Linwood was amongst the quality recruits that Willie McCartney lured to the club and in truth he was an accomplished finisher (22 league goals in only 36 starts).
Linwood was with Hibernian in 1947 and won a Scottish League Championship medal in his very first season. However, for all Alex was a most talented forward,
Linwood was with Hibernian in 1947 and won a Scottish League Championship medal in his very first season. However, for all Alex was a most talented forward,