2004–05 Hibernian F.C. season

Season 2004–05 was a relative success for Hibernian, as the team performed well in the league, finishing third and qualifying for the UEFA Cup in Tony Mowbray's first season as manager. Hibs lost to league strugglers Dundee United in both cup competitions; 2–1 in a Scottish Cup semi-final, and 2–1 after extra time in the League Cup quarter-final. The season also saw the development of a number of promising young players, particularly strikers Derek Riordan and Garry O'Connor. This relative success came after the club had been disappointingly beaten by FK Vetra in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Hibernian
2004–05 season
ChairmanKen Lewandowski (until December 2004)
Rod Petrie (from December 2004)
ManagerTony Mowbray
SPL3rd
Scottish CupSemi
CIS CupQuarter
Intertoto CupR2
Top goalscorerLeague: Riordan, 20
All: Riordan, 23
Highest home attendance17450[1]
Lowest home attendance9344[1]
Average home league attendance12539[1] (up 3389)

League season edit

Hibs enjoyed a successful first season under new manager Tony Mowbray, as the club finished 3rd in the league and qualified for the next season's UEFA Cup competition.[2] Hibs were pushed for third place by Aberdeen and only clinched the position on the final day of the season. The final day match was against Rangers, who needed to win to have a chance of winning the championship, while Hibs needed to avoid a heavy defeat to prevent Aberdeen overtaking them on goal difference.[2] Rangers took a 1–0 lead after 59 minutes, and the later stages of the game were played out without either team chasing a goal as it suited their needs.[2] Highlights of the season included wins at Tynecastle and Celtic Park, which were big steps towards finishing in such a high position.[3][4]

Results edit

7 August 2004 SPL Hibernian 0–1 Kilmarnock Easter Road, Edinburgh
Boyd   73' Attendance: 10,933
Referee: Freeland
14 August 2004 SPL Motherwell 1–2 Hibernian Fir Park, Motherwell
O'Donnell   20' O'Connor   2', 78' Attendance: 5,859
Referee: Underhill
21 August 2004 SPL Rangers 4–1 Hibernian Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Arveladze   11'
Prso   15'
Boumsong   58'
Løvenkrands   84'
Caldwell   35' Attendance: 48,702
Referee: Clark
28 August 2004 SPL Hibernian 4–4 Dundee Easter Road, Edinburgh
Shiels   23'
Riordan   41'
O'Connor   46', 50'
Sutton   7'
Brady   65'
Larsen   79'
Hernandez   90'
Attendance: 9,344
Referee: Richmond
11 September 2004 SPL Inverness CT 1–2 Hibernian Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Wilson   37' (pen.) Riordan   12', 60' Attendance: 2,011
Referee: Thomson
19 September 2004 SPL Hibernian 2–2 Celtic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Balde   8' (o.g.)
Murphy   35'
Camara   34'
Hartson   45'
Attendance: 13,500
Referee: McCurry
25 September 2004 SPL Aberdeen 0–1 Hibernian Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Riordan   62' Attendance: 12,137
Referee: McDonald
2 October 2004 SPL Dunfermline Athletic 1–1 Hibernian East End Park, Dunfermline
Donnelly   86' O'Connor   39' Attendance: 7,290
Referee: Murray
16 October 2004 SPL Hibernian 2–0 Dundee United Easter Road, Edinburgh
O'Connor   11'
Fletcher   55'
Attendance: 9,927
Referee: Ritchie
24 October 2004 SPL Heart of Midlothian 2–1 Hibernian Tynecastle, Edinburgh
Kisnorbo   15'
Hamill   76'
Riordan   90' Attendance: 16,720
Referee: McCurry
27 October 2004 SPL Hibernian 2–1 Livingston Easter Road, Edinburgh
Beuzelin   9'
Fletcher   23'
Lilley   65' (pen.) Attendance: 9,534
Referee: Dallas
30 October 2004 SPL Kilmarnock 3–1 Hibernian Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Nish   20', 42'
Dargo   40'
Shiels   69' Attendance: 5,959
Referee: Dougal
6 November 2004 SPL Hibernian 1–0 Motherwell Easter Road, Edinburgh
Murray   79' Attendance: 10,022
Referee: Thomson
14 November 2004 SPL Hibernian 0–1 Rangers Easter Road, Edinburgh
Prso   65' (pen.) Attendance: 13,829
Referee: Young
20 November 2004 SPL Dundee 1–4 Hibernian Dens Park, Dundee
Lovell   62' Beuzelin   17'
Riordan   43'
Orman   72'
Shiels   88'
Attendance: 5,274
Referee: Toner
27 November 2004 SPL Hibernian 2–1 Inverness CT Easter Road, Edinburgh
Beuzelin   39'
Riordan   47'
Juanjo   34' Attendance: 9,728
Referee: Conroy
4 December 2004 SPL Celtic 2–1 Hibernian Celtic Park, Glasgow
Hartson   18', 83' Caldwell   75' Attendance: 58,384
Referee: Brines
11 December 2004 SPL Hibernian 2–1 Aberdeen Easter Road, Edinburgh
Riordan   24'
Glass   64'
Mackie   37' Attendance: 13,503
Referee: Rowbotham
18 December 2004 SPL Hibernian 2–1 Dunfermline Athletic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Glass   66'
Riordan   90'
Tod   68' Attendance: 9,859
Referee: Mackay
27 December 2004 SPL Dundee United 1–4 Hibernian Tannadice Park, Dundee
Scotland   8' Riordan   13'
O'Connor   22'
Orman   58'
Morrow   81'
Attendance: 10,152
Referee: Fyfe
2 January 2005 SPL Hibernian 1–1 Heart of Midlothian Easter Road, Edinburgh
Riordan   24' Hartley   55' Attendance: 17,259
Referee: McDonald
15 January 2005 SPL Livingston 0–2 Hibernian Almondvale, Livingston
O'Connor   53'
Riordan   74'
Attendance: 6,788
Referee: McCurry
22 January 2005 SPL Hibernian 3–0 Kilmarnock Easter Road, Edinburgh
Riordan   30', 34', 52' Attendance: 12,660
Referee: Dallas
12 February 2005 SPL Rangers 3–0 Hibernian Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Prso   35', 50'
Buffel   61'
Attendance: 50,143
Referee: Thomson
15 February 2005 SPL Motherwell 1–1 Hibernian Fir Park, Motherwell
Craigan   26' Riordan   66' (pen.) Attendance: 7,453
Referee: Clark
19 February 2005 SPL Hibernian 4–0 Dundee Easter Road, Edinburgh
O'Connor   27', 77'
Whittaker   47'
Fletcher   76'
Attendance: 10,938
Referee: Freeland
2 March 2005 SPL Inverness CT 3–0 Hibernian Caledonian Stadium, Inverness
Juanjo   39'
Brewster   50'
Wilson   77'
Attendance: 4,443
Referee: Underhill
6 March 2005 SPL Hibernian 1–3 Celtic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Beuzelin   90' Petrov   5'
Hartson   31'
Bellamy   69'
Attendance: 15,787
Referee: Clark
12 March 2005 SPL Aberdeen 3–0 Hibernian Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Anderson   12'
Whelan   13'
Mackie   85' (pen.)
Attendance: 14,465
Referee: Toner
19 March 2005 SPL Dunfermline Athletic 1–4 Hibernian East End Park, Dunfermline
Nicholson   43' Riordan   66', 81'
Fletcher   69', 75'
Attendance: 7,204
Referee: Dallas
2 April 2005 SPL Hibernian 3–2 Dundee United Easter Road, Edinburgh
Shiels   35'
O'Connor   69'
Smith   90'
McIntyre   63'
Scotland   77'
Attendance: 11,058
Referee: Underhill
13 April 2005 SPL Heart of Midlothian 1–2 Hibernian Tynecastle, Edinburgh
Miller   40' O'Connor   68'
Shiels   73'
Attendance: 17,676
Referee: Rowbotham
16 April 2005 SPL Hibernian 0–3 Livingston Easter Road, Edinburgh
Lilley   49'
Kachloul   61'
O'Brien   87'
Attendance: 11,047
Referee: Mackay
23 April 2005 SPL Hibernian 2–2 Heart of Midlothian Easter Road, Edinburgh
O'Connor   8'
Riordan   63'
Miller   23'
Webster   88'
Attendance: 16,620
Referee: McCurry
30 April 2005 SPL Celtic 1–3 Hibernian Celtic Park, Glasgow
Beattie   59' O'Connor   7'
Sproule   79'
Brown   81'
Attendance: 58,322
Referee: Clark
7 May 2005 SPL Motherwell 2–2 Hibernian Fir Park, Motherwell
Craigan   16', 49' Caldwell   81'
Konte   90'
Attendance: 8,903
Referee: Mackay
14 May 2005 SPL Hibernian 1–2 Aberdeen Easter Road, Edinburgh
Riordan   51' Mackie   28', 69' Attendance: 15,288
Referee: Ritchie
22 May 2005 SPL Hibernian 0–1 Rangers Easter Road, Edinburgh
Novo   59' Attendance: 17,450
Referee: Clark

Final table edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
1 Rangers (C) 38 29 6 3 78 22 +56 93 Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round
2 Celtic 38 30 2 6 85 35 +50 92 Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round
3 Hibernian 38 18 7 13 64 57 +7 61 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
4 Aberdeen 38 18 7 13 44 39 +5 61
5 Heart of Midlothian 38 13 11 14 43 41 +2 50
Source: Scottish Professional Football League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions
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.

Intertoto Cup edit

Despite having finished in the bottom half of the Scottish Premier League table in the previous season, Hibs volunteered to enter the Intertoto Cup. They were drawn against Lithuanian A Lyga side FK Vetra, with Hibs due to play at home first. New manager Tony Mowbray was faced with only having 12 players available for the first training session of the season, just 12 days before the first match with Vetra.[5]

The first match, which was played in "farcical conditions after a thunderstorm flooded the Easter Road pitch", ended in a 1–1 draw.[6] In the return match, Vetra sat back and allowed Hibs the majority of ball possession, but they were unable to create more than a few goalscoring chances from this.[6] A goal resulting from an error by young goalkeeper Alistair Brown condemned Hibs to defeat.[6] The Edinburgh Evening News described Hibs' participation as "a gamble" that had "backfired";[6] former Hibs player Stuart Lovell questioned the motives of the Hibs board, and the point of giving short term contracts to players just to play in the matches against Vetra.[7]

Results edit

3 July 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup Hibernian 1–1 FK Vetra Easter Road, Edinburgh
O'Connor   77' Sasnauskas   63' Attendance: 8,630
Referee: Tony Asumaa

Scottish League Cup edit

As one of the SPL clubs who had not automatically qualified for European competition, Hibs entered at the last 32 stage (second round) of the competition, in which they defeated Alloa Athletic 4–0 at Easter Road. Hibs were then given a favourable draw against Albion Rovers in the last 16. Despite the underdogs taking a shock lead, Hibs ran out 3–1 winners in a game that was played on a neutral venue (Hamilton).[8] In the quarter-final, Hibs were drawn to play Dundee United at Tannadice. Hibs took the lead through a Derek Riordan goal in the first half and held it for most of the game, but Jim McIntyre scored a late equaliser in normal time, and then scored the winner in extra time.

Results edit

24 August 2004 Scottish League Cup Hibernian 4–0 Alloa Athletic Easter Road, Edinburgh
Glass   20'
Orman   48'
Murdock   51'
Riordan   53'
Attendance: 5,156
Referee: McCurry
22 September 2004 Scottish League Cup Albion Rovers 1–3 Hibernian New Douglas Park, Hamilton
McLaren   7' Dobbie   42'
Shiels   43'
O'Connor   71'
Attendance: 1,576
Referee: Conroy
9 November 2004 Scottish League Cup Dundee United 2–1
AET
Hibernian Tannadice Park, Dundee
McIntyre   87', 107' Riordan   31' Attendance: 4,865
Referee: Rowbotham

Scottish Cup edit

Hibs reached the semi-final of the Scottish Cup, where they met Dundee United. Hibs went into the match as favourites due to the contrasting league form of the two sides;[9] indeed, Hibs had beaten United 3–2 in the league at Easter Road the previous week. Hibs took the lead in the cup match thanks to a Derek Riordan penalty, but then collapsed to a 2–1 defeat, with the winner scored by Jason Scotland.[9]

A curious postscript to the defeat was that Jason Scotland was denied a renewal of a UK work permit the following summer by an expert panel, which included former Hibs players Murdo MacLeod, Tony Higgins, Pat Stanton, Peter Cormack and Tommy McIntyre.[10] The panel was hearing an appeal against a decision to reject the application to renew Scotland's work permit, which had been made automatically because Scotland had only played in two of Trinidad and Tobago's international matches in the preceding two years.[11] The decision forced Scotland to leave United; he signed later that summer for Scottish First Division club St Johnstone, and has subsequently played in the Premier League for Wigan Athletic.

Results edit

8 January 2005 Scottish Cup Hibernian 2–0 Dundee Easter Road, Edinburgh
Whittaker   76'
Morrow   87'
Attendance: 9,706
Referee: Brines
5 February 2005 Scottish Cup Hibernian 4–0 Brechin City Easter Road, Edinburgh
Morrow   24'
O'Connor   32', 57'
Caldwell   63'
Attendance: 13,563
Referee: McCurry
26 February 2005 Scottish Cup Hibernian 2–0 St Mirren Easter Road, Edinburgh
Brown   45'
O'Connor   72'
Attendance: 15,195
Referee: Young
9 April 2005 Scottish Cup Dundee United 2–1 Hibernian Hampden Park, Glasgow
McIntyre   73'
Scotland   76'
Riordan   58' (pen.) Attendance: 27,271
Referee: McCurry

Transfers edit

Player stats edit

During the 2004–05 season, Hibs used 32 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.[13][14]

No. Pos Nat Player Total SPL Scottish Cup League Cup Intertoto Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK   SCO Alistair Brown 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
GK   ENG Simon Brown 44 0 38 0 4 0 2 0 0 0
DF   SCO Jonathan Baillie 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
DF   SCO Gary Caldwell 46 4 37 3 4 1 3 0 2 0
DF   NIR Colin Murdock 9 1 5 0 0 0 2 1 2 0
DF   ENG David Murphy 32 1 27 1 3 0 2 0 0 0
DF   SCO Ian Murray 34 1 29 1 3 0 2 0 0 0
DF   SCO Alan Reid 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
DF   SCO Jay Shields 6 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DF   SCO Gary Smith 26 1 20 1 4 0 1 0 1 0
DF   ENG Mark Venus 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
DF   SCO Steven Whittaker 45 2 37 1 4 1 2 0 2 0
MF   FRA Guillaume Beuzelin 29 4 26 4 1 0 2 0 0 0
MF   SCO Grant Brebner 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
MF   SCO Scott Brown 24 2 20 1 2 1 0 0 2 0
MF   SCO Stephen Glass 44 3 36 2 3 0 3 1 2 0
MF   SCO Jamie McCluskey 13 0 10 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
MF   ENG Kevin McDonald 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
MF   ENG Antonio Murray 14 0 12 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
MF   SCO Kevin Nicol 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
MF   AUT Alen Orman 18 3 12 2 2 0 2 1 2 0
MF   GRN Craig Rocastle 14 0 13 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
MF   NIR Dean Shiels 43 6 37 5 3 0 3 1 0 0
MF   NIR Ivan Sproule 8 1 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
MF   SCO Kevin Thomson 4 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
FW   SCO Stephen Dobbie 12 1 7 0 0 0 3 1 2 0
FW   SCO Steven Fletcher 26 5 20 5 4 0 2 0 0 0
FW   MLI Amadou Konte 13 1 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW   SCO Tam McManus 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
FW   NIR Sam Morrow 29 3 22 1 3 2 2 0 2 0
FW   SCO Garry O'Connor 43 19 36 14 4 3 1 1 2 1
FW   SCO Derek Riordan 44 23 37 20 4 1 3 2 0 0

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c "Average Home League Game Attendances". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Mowbray delighted despite defeat, BBC Sport, 22 May 2005.
  3. ^ Hearts 1–2 Hibernian, BBC Sport, 13 April 2005.
  4. ^ Hibs win dents Celtic's title run, CNN, 30 April 2005.
  5. ^ Hibs prepare to meet Europe's poor relations; Stewart Fisher finds, Sunday Herald, 27 June 2004.
  6. ^ a b c d Intertoto gamble fails to pay off for Hibees, Edinburgh Evening News, 12 July 2004.
  7. ^ FOOTBALL: INTERTOTO SHAMBLES; Hibs have left Mowbray in the mire, Sunday Mail, 18 July 2004.
  8. ^ Dobbie and Shiels spark Hibs recovery, The Scotsman, 23 September 2004.
  9. ^ a b "Scotland's strike extends Hibernian cup hoodoo". The Independent. 10 April 2005. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022.[dead link]
  10. ^ "Further shock over Scotland affair". The Courier. DC Thomson. 1 July 2005. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.
  11. ^ "The decision to refuse footballer Jason Scotland a work permit - Annexes". Home Office. 15 November 2005. Archived from the original on 1 January 2007.
  12. ^ "Hibs' Ivan the Incredible". Scotland on Sunday. Johnston Press. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  13. ^ "Hibernian 2004/2005 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  14. ^ The soccerbase statistics do not include the lineup for the second Intertoto Cup match, which is listed Archived 3 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine at RSSSF.

External links edit