2001–02 Hibernian F.C. season

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Hibernian
2001–02 season
ChairmanMalcolm McPherson[1]
ManagerAlex McLeish
(until 13 December 2001)
Franck Sauzée
(December 2001 – February 2002)
Bobby Williamson
(from February 2002)
SPL10th
Scottish CupR4
League CupSemi
UEFA CupR1
Top goalscorerLeague: O'Connor, 9
All: Luna, 10
Highest home attendance14701[2]
Lowest home attendance7701[2]
Average home league attendance11603[2] (up 810)

Season 2001–02 was a turbulent one for Hibernian, as the team had three different permanent managers during the season. Alex McLeish left the club in December to manage Rangers; Hibs surprisingly replaced him with star player Franck Sauzée, who retired as a player when he was appointed manager. Sauzee's brief tenure saw a long winless run in the SPL and domestic cup defeats by Rangers and Ayr United. The winless run in the league dragged Hibs into the fringes of a relegation battle, and Sauzee was sacked after just 69 days in charge.[3] Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson was hired as Sauzee's replacement, and a brief winning run averted any danger of relegation. Earlier in the season, Hibs had been knocked out of the UEFA Cup in the first round by AEK Athens, but only after a dramatic second leg at Easter Road that went to extra time.

League season[edit]

Hibs began the 2001–02 league season in reasonable form, winning convincingly against Dunfermline Athletic and St Johnstone on successive Sundays in September. A poor run of one win in nine followed their elimination from the UEFA Cup, however, leaving Hibs in eighth place in the 12 team SPL.[4] Nonetheless, manager Alex McLeish, who had guided Hibs to promotion back to the top flight in 1998–99, third place in 2000–01 and the 2001 Scottish Cup Final, was linked with the Rangers job when it was indicated that the incumbent, Dick Advocaat, would be moved to another role within that club.[4] A few days later, McLeish was unveiled as Rangers manager, with Hibs and Rangers still negotiating over compensation.[5] Donald Park managed the team on a caretaker basis for a 1–1 draw against Rangers the following day, and Franck Sauzee was swiftly appointed as manager two days later.[6] Park was also promoted from the role of reserve team manager to assistant manager.[6] BBC Sport commented:[6]

the speed of the appointment will come as a surprise considering the Easter Road board only met on Thursday night with a view to drawing up a shortlist and because the Frenchman has no previous coaching experience.

Hibs were already on a poor run of form when Sauzee was appointed, and this was greatly extended during his time in charge.[7] After just 69 days in the job, Sauzee was sacked by Hibs.[3] Another factor appeared to be that the last place club, St Johnstone, had just won a game and reduced the gap between the clubs to nine points, with Hibs due to play the Perth club in their next game.[7] Sauzee spoke to the media after his dismissal, insisting that he was not worried that Hibs may be relegated.[7] Two days later, Hibs agreed a deal with Bobby Williamson to be the new manager, subject to compensation being agreed with Kilmarnock.[8] In Williamson's first game in charge, the key match with St. Johnstone, Hibs won 3–0 and all but ensured their survival in the SPL.[9] The result gave Hibs their first win in 19 SPL games, since an Edinburgh derby win in October.[9] Despite the positive result, some of the Hibs supporters chanted Sauzee's name.[9] The match reporter writing in The Observer reckoned that this was a sarcastic criticism of the Hibs board's decisions in hiring and then so quickly firing Sauzee.[9] Further wins towards the end of the season meant that Hibs, although finishing in a lowly 10th, ended up 20 points ahead of St Johnstone.

Results[edit]

28 July 2001 SPL Hibernian 2 – 2 Kilmarnock Easter Road, Edinburgh
Sauzee 39' (pen.)
Laursen 82'		 Ngonge 4'
Cocard 45'		 Attendance: 12,717
Referee: Somers
4 August 2001 SPL Dundee 2 – 1 Hibernian Dens Park, Dundee
Sara 9'
Caballero 62'		 O'Neil 59' Attendance: 9,447
Referee: Dallas
11 August 2001 SPL Hibernian 2 – 0 Aberdeen Easter Road, Edinburgh
Sauzee 6' (pen.)
McManus 45'		 Attendance: 13,150
Referee: Rowbotham
18 August 2001 SPL Rangers 2 – 2 Hibernian Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Hughes 26'
Flo 49'		 McManus 19'
Orman 59'		 Attendance: 45,540
Referee: Underhill
25 August 2001 SPL Hibernian 1 – 4 Celtic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Fenwick 85' Moravcik 16'
Sutton 17'
Sutton 20'
Larsson 31'		 Attendance: 14,701
Referee: Clark
8 September 2001 SPL Motherwell 1 – 3 Hibernian Fir Park, Motherwell
Kelly 15' (pen.) Sauzee 17' (pen.), 50'
Fenwick 66'		 Attendance: 5,784
Referee: Dougal
16 September 2001 SPL Hibernian 5 – 1 Dunfermline Athletic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Brewster 18'
Brewster 32'
McManus 45'
Luna 73'
Luna 82'		 Crawford 38' Attendance: 11,035
Referee: Dallas
23 September 2001 SPL Hibernian 4 – 0 St Johnstone Easter Road, Edinburgh
Luna 25'
Fenwick 57'
Brebner 59'
Smart 62'		 Attendance: 10,404
Referee: McDonald
30 September 2001 SPL Livingston 1 – 0 Hibernian Almondvale, Livingston
Quino 64' Attendance: 10,016
Referee: Orr
13 October 2001 SPL Dundee United 3 – 1 Hibernian Tannadice Park, Dundee
Hamilton 65'
Hamilton 71'
Griffin 84'		 Brebner 4' Attendance: 7,950
Referee: Underhill
21 October 2001 SPL Hibernian 2 – 1 Heart of Midlothian Easter Road, Edinburgh
de la Cruz 1'
de la Cruz 24'		 Simmons 66' Attendance: 13,774
Referee: McCurry
27 October 2001 SPL Hibernian 1 – 2 Dundee Easter Road, Edinburgh
Brewster 45' Rae 19'
Milne 90'		 Attendance: 11,130
Referee: Young
3 November 2001 SPL Kilmarnock 0 – 0 Hibernian Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Attendance: 7,460
Referee: Brown
17 November 2001 SPL Aberdeen 2 – 0 Hibernian Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Winters 90'
Zerouali 90'		 Attendance: 12,226
Referee: Clark
24 November 2001 SPL Hibernian 0 – 3 Livingston Easter Road, Edinburgh
Xausa 8'
Xausa 34'
Lowndes 86'		 Attendance: 11,146
Referee: Fyfe
1 December 2001 SPL Celtic 3 – 0 Hibernian Celtic Park, Glasgow
Hartson 11'
Hartson 40'
Lennon 72'		 Attendance: 59,415
Referee: Young
8 December 2001 SPL Hibernian 1 – 1 Motherwell Easter Road, Edinburgh
O'Neil 7' Elliott 83' Attendance: 11,158
Referee: Somers
12 December 2001 SPL Rangers 1 – 1 Hibernian Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Ricksen 58' Luna 22' Attendance: 46,179
Referee: Rowbotham
15 December 2001 SPL Dunfermline Athletic 1 – 0 Hibernian East End Park, Dunfermline
Nicholson 74' Attendance: 6,617
Referee: McDonald
22 December 2001 SPL St Johnstone 0 – 0 Hibernian McDiarmid Park, Perth
Attendance: 4,056
Referee: Toner
26 December 2001 SPL Hibernian 0 – 3 Rangers Easter Road, Edinburgh
Moore 16'
Flo 85'
Arveladze 88' (pen.)		 Attendance: 14,021
Referee: McCurry
29 December 2001 SPL Heart of Midlothian 1 – 1 Hibernian Tynecastle, Edinburgh
McKenna 11' O'Neil 90' Attendance: 17,474
Referee: Dougal
2 January 2002 SPL Hibernian 0 – 1 Dundee United Easter Road, Edinburgh
Paterson 87' Attendance: 11,155
Referee: McDonald
12 January 2002 SPL Dundee 1 – 0 Hibernian Dens Park, Dundee
Fan 66' Attendance: 7,326
Referee: Somers
19 January 2002 SPL Hibernian 2 – 2 Kilmarnock Easter Road, Edinburgh
Hurtado 11'
Fowler 63' (o.g.)		 Johnson 65'
McGowne 90'		 Attendance: 9,592
Referee: Clark
23 January 2002 SPL Hibernian 3 – 4 Aberdeen Easter Road, Edinburgh
Luna 18'
Townsley 36'
Luna 68'		 Dadi 17'
Winters 28'
Guntveit 48'
Mackie 90'		 Attendance: 10,555
Referee: Dallas
2 February 2002 SPL Hibernian 1 – 1 Celtic Easter Road, Edinburgh
O'Connor 21' Hartson 50' Attendance: 12,315
Referee: Freeland
9 February 2002 SPL Motherwell 4 – 0 Hibernian Fir Park, Motherwell
Ferrere 53'
Ferrere 66'
Lehmann 73'
Ferrere 81'		 Attendance: 5,367
Referee: Dougal
16 February 2002 SPL Hibernian 1 – 1 Dunfermline Athletic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Townsley 79' Hampshire 59' Attendance: 9,788
Referee: McCurry
2 March 2002 SPL Hibernian 3 – 0 St Johnstone Easter Road, Edinburgh
Murray 2'
Murray 37'
O'Connor 67'		 Attendance: 13,731
Referee: Rowbotham
9 March 2002 SPL Livingston 0 – 3 Hibernian Almondvale, Livingston
O'Connor 15'
O'Neil 45'
Petersen 78' (o.g.)		 Attendance: 6,463
Referee: Toner
16 March 2002 SPL Hibernian 1 – 2 Heart of Midlothian Easter Road, Edinburgh
O'Connor 5' Severin 40'
Pressley 88' (pen.)		 Attendance: 13,240
Referee: Young
23 March 2002 SPL Dundee United 1 – 2 Hibernian Tannadice Park, Dundee
Thompson 77' Arpinon 38'
O'Connor 73'		 Attendance: 5,801
Referee: Toner
7 April 2002 SPL Dundee United 2 – 1 Hibernian Tannadice Park, Dundee
Venetis 45'
Lilley 55'		 O'Connor 65' Attendance: 5,417
Referee: Brown
13 April 2002 SPL Kilmarnock 1 – 0 Hibernian Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Ngonge 18' Attendance: 6,236
Referee: Somers
21 April 2002 SPL Hibernian 4 – 0 Motherwell Easter Road, Edinburgh
Townsley 27'
Arpinon 45'
O'Connor 81'
O'Connor 85'		 Attendance: 7,701
Referee: Freeland
27 April 2002 SPL Hibernian 2 – 2 Dundee Easter Road, Edinburgh
Townsley 15'
O'Connor 76'		 Caballero 33'
Milne 88'		 Attendance: 8,852
Referee: Dougal
12 May 2002 SPL St Johnstone 0 – 1 Hibernian McDiarmid Park, Perth
Townsley 43' Attendance: 3,372
Referee: Thomson

Final table[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
8 Dundee United 38 12 10 16 38 59 −21 46
9 Dundee 38 12 8 18 41 55 −14 44
10 Hibernian 38 10 11 17 51 56 −5 41
11 Motherwell 38 11 7 20 49 69 −20 40
12 St Johnstone (R) 38 5 6 27 24 62 −38 21 Relegation to the First Division
Source: Scottish Professional Football League
Rules for classification: (1) Points; (2) Goal difference; (3) Goals scored
(R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Teams played each other three times (33 matches), before the league split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six) for the last five matches.

UEFA Cup[edit]

Having finished third in the previous season's Scottish Premier League, Hibs entered the UEFA Cup at the first round stage. The first leg against AEK Athens was scheduled to be played on 13 September 2001, but this was postponed by UEFA in light of the terrorist attacks on 11 September.[10] Given the lateness of the decision, many Hibs fans had already travelled to Greece and were left out of pocket without a match to attend.[11] The team themselves were on the runway at Edinburgh Airport when the decision from UEFA was advised to them.[11] UEFA announced later that day that the UEFA Cup games scheduled to be played on 13 September would instead be played on 20 September.[12]

When the match was finally played, Hibs suffered a 2–0 defeat in the "disrespectful" atmosphere of the Nikos Goumas Stadium.[13] The match reporter for The Scotsman observed that:[13]

the minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of those murdered in the recent terrorist atrocities was sabotaged by those wild incumbents of the notorious skepasti - "the covered ones" - end of the stadium, who whistled and jeered throughout, and then burnt the stars and stripes for good measure.

Hibs appeared to miss the "calming influence" of Franck Sauzee, who had been injured in the preceding league match.[13] Although AEK created few chances in the early proceedings, a penalty kick early in the second half gave them the lead.[13] A second goal from a header by Nikolaidis and the lack of an away goal left Hibs facing a "formidable challenge" to progress.[13]

Sauzee returned for the second leg at Easter Road, while AEK made a few changes.[14] Hibs had the early pressure but failed to score until the 53rd minute, when Paco Luna headed in from close range.[14] Hibs then pressed to bring the aggregate score level at 2–2, but again lost Sauzee to injury with 10 minutes remaining.[14] Nonetheless, Hibs were level a minute later, with Luna again scoring.[14] Hibs then had a great chance to win the tie in the last minute of normal time, but Luna headed wide from a de la Cruz cross.[14] With the aggregate score level and no away goals scored by either side, the tie headed into extra time.[14] AEK regrouped during the break before the extra periods, and Tsiartas scored early on from long range.[14] This left Hibs needing two goals without reply to win the tie, given the away goals rule. Tsiartas then added another goal for AEK from a corner, leaving Hibs with almost no chance to progress.[14] David Zitelli then scored what was effectively a consolation goal, but at least gave Hibs a win on the night.[14] Despite exiting the competition, the second leg match is still fondly remembered by Hibs supporters; Dougray Scott later named it as his favourite match.[15]

Results[edit]

20 September 2001 UEFA Cup AEK Athens 2 – 0 Hibernian Nikos Goumas Stadium, Athens
Tsiartas 54' (pen.)
Nikolaidis 66'		 Attendance: 15,525
Referee: Hanacsek
27 September 2001 UEFA Cup Hibernian 3 – 2 AET
3 – 4 agg		 AEK Athens Easter Road, Edinburgh
Luna 52'
Luna 82'
Zitelli 114'		 Tsiartas 92'
Tsiartas 105'		 Attendance: 16,647
Referee: Granat

Scottish League Cup[edit]

As one of the SPL clubs who qualified for European competition, Hibs entered at the last 16 stage (third round) of the competition, in which they defeated Raith Rovers 2–0. Another 2–0 win, against Dundee United at Easter Road, sent Hibs through to the semi-final. By the time the semi-final was played, Alex McLeish had departed and Franck Sauzee was now the manager. The shock 1–0 defeat by First Division club Ayr United in the semi-final was cited as one of the causes of Sauzee's dismissal later that month.[3]

Results[edit]

9 October 2001 Scottish League Cup Raith Rovers 0 – 2 Hibernian Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy
Brewster 54'
Brewster 86'		 Attendance: 4,601
Referee: McDonald
27 November 2001 Scottish League Cup Hibernian 2 – 0 Dundee United Easter Road, Edinburgh
McManus 2'
Luna 61'		 Attendance: 8,825
Referee: Toner
6 February 2002 Scottish League Cup Hibernian 0 – 1
AET		 Ayr United Hampden Park, Glasgow
Annand 101' (pen.) Attendance: 11,779
Referee: McCurry

Scottish Cup[edit]

Hibs' brief Scottish Cup campaign during 2001–02 came during the period that Franck Sauzee was manager. It transpired that the victory in the third round replay against Stranraer, a Second Division club, was to be Sauzee's only win as Hibs manager.[3] Hibs were heavily defeated by Rangers, now managed by Alex McLeish, in the last 16.

Results[edit]

5 January 2002 Scottish Cup Stranraer 0 – 0 Hibernian Stair Park, Stranraer
Attendance: 2,259
Referee: Young
15 January 2002 Scottish Cup Hibernian 4 – 0 Stranraer Easter Road, Edinburgh
Luna 6'
Zitelli 15' (pen)
Smith 47'
Hurtado 88'		 Attendance: 8,536
Referee: Young
26 January 2002 Scottish Cup Rangers 4 – 1 Hibernian Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Flo 23'
Løvenkrands 45'
Flo 65'
Dodds 86'		 Brebner 28' Attendance: 25,636
Referee: Rowbotham

Transfers[edit]

Hibs broke their transfer record during the 2001 close season with the purchase of Ecuadorian international player Ulises de la Cruz, paying £700,000 for his services.[16] Hibs manager Alex McLeish later claimed that the fee was "more like" £350,000.[17]

Player stats[edit]

During the 2001–02 season, Hibs used 32 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.[19]

No. Pos Nat Player Total SPL Scottish Cup League Cup UEFA Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England ENG Tony Caig 10 0 8 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
GK Ireland EIR Nick Colgan 36 0 30 0 3 0 1 0 2 0
DF Scotland SCO Gary Caldwell 12 0 11 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
DF Scotland SCO Allan Dempsie 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DF Ecuador ECU Ulises de la Cruz 39 2 32 2 3 0 2 0 2 0
DF Canada CAN Paul Fenwick 29 3 22 3 3 0 2 0 2 0
DF Scotland SCO Paul Hilland 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DF Denmark DEN Ulrik Laursen 31 1 24 1 3 0 2 0 2 0
DF France FRA Lilian Martin 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DF France FRA Franck Sauzee 11 4 10 4 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF Scotland SCO Gary Smith 36 1 30 0 3 1 2 0 1 0
DF Scotland SCO Steven Whittaker 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MF Trinidad and Tobago TRI Lyndon Andrews 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MF France FRA Frederic Arpinon 23 2 20 2 2 0 1 0 0 0
MF Scotland SCO Grant Brebner 35 3 28 2 3 1 3 0 1 0
MF Germany GER Mathias Jack 36 0 31 0 2 0 1 0 2 0
MF Scotland SCO Ian Murray 40 2 32 2 3 0 3 0 2 0
MF Scotland SCO Kevin Nicol 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MF Scotland SCO John O'Neil 38 4 32 4 1 0 3 0 2 0
MF Austria AUT Alen Orman 36 1 30 1 1 0 3 0 2 0
MF Scotland SCO Alan Reid 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MF England ENG Derek Townsley 22 5 18 5 3 0 1 0 0 0
MF Finland FIN Jarkko Wiss 12 0 11 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
FW Scotland SCO Craig Brewster 28 5 25 3 0 0 1 2 2 0
FW France FRA Frederic Daquin 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW Ecuador ECU Eduardo Hurtado 15 2 12 1 2 1 1 0 0 0
FW Spain ESP Paco Luna 30 10 25 6 2 1 2 1 1 2
FW Scotland SCO Tam McManus 26 4 21 3 1 0 2 1 2 0
FW Scotland SCO Garry O'Connor 24 9 19 9 3 0 2 0 0 0
FW Scotland SCO Derek Riordan 9 0 6 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
FW Scotland SCO Allan Smart 5 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW France FRA David Zitelli 27 2 21 0 2 1 2 0 2 1

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hardie, David (1 October 2011). "Ex-Hibs chief recalls day he sacked Sauzee". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Average Home League Game Attendances". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d "Hibs sack Sauzee". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 February 2002.
  4. ^ a b "Gers step up manager search". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 December 2001.
  5. ^ "Rangers unveil McLeish". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 December 2001.
  6. ^ a b c "Hibs choose Sauzee". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 December 2001.
  7. ^ a b c "No Sauzee fears for Hibs". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 February 2002.
  8. ^ "Williamson agrees to take job". The Scotsman. 23 February 2002.
  9. ^ a b c d "Murray ends famine". The Observer. 3 March 2002.
  10. ^ Ingle, Sean; Murray, Scott (12 September 2001). "Uefa postpones European matches". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Hibs faithful fear they won't receive any compensation". Edinburgh Evening News. 13 September 2001.
  12. ^ "UEFA finds new dates for postponed games". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 12 September 2001.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Hibs pay penalty with gifts for Greeks". The Scotsman. 21 September 2001.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Hibs crash in extra time". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 September 2001.
  15. ^ "My team: Hibernian". The Observer. 2 March 2003.
  16. ^ "Hibs unveil record buy". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 June 2001.
  17. ^ "O'Connor out injured: Chala in?". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 August 2001.
  18. ^ Womersley, Tara (30 April 2002). "Promising Hibernian FC player dies from suspected drug overdose after night out". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
  19. ^ "Hibernian 2001/2002 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 December 2009.

External links[edit]

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