I’M THE HOLY GOALIE
Hibs keeper couldn’t face Celts because of Yom Kippur but his prayers have been answered by Lenny
THE football gods are smiling kindly on Ofir Marciano after he stepped out of the Hibs team for an act of religious observance.
The Easter Road keeper studied the fixture list and spotted one of the biggest games of the season, away to Celtic, fell on the same day as Yom Kippur.
The Israeli keeper, who is Jewish, politely asked boss Neil Lennon to be left out to spend the day fasting and in prayer with his family.
Lennon agreed but Marciano’s understudy Ross Laidlaw played so well in the build-up game at Ross County he won the right to enjoy an extended run as No.1.
Marciano and supermodel wife Shelly have just welcomed their first child, Sun, into the world and their joy at the birth of their boy has coincided with a return to top-team action.
The former Ashdod star played against Hearts in last week’s derby and made it three clean sheets in a row as Lennon’s squad moved to third in the Premiership with a 3-0 win at Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
Lennon, who played alongside and managed Polish keeper Artur Boruc – nicknamed the Holy Goalie – at Celtic, hailed Marciano for a “world-class” stop early in the second half to deny Kris Boyd.
It was one of a string of outstanding saves though as Hibs secured three top-flight wins in a row for the first time in almost four years.
Marciano, 28, said: “I was disappointed to be out the team but knew I couldn’t play against Celtic because of Yom Kippur and the gaffer wanted to give Ross a chance before that in the match against Ross County.
“He did brilliantly in the games he played and I knew I had to fight to win my place back.
“It’s something you have to face at times in your career and I’m happy to have the gloves back to show I deserve them – but I have to do it every game.
“It was tough, a big sacrifice for me, especially as it would have been the first time I’d faced Celtic. However, Yom Kippur is the most holy day of the year in the Jewish calendar.
“It’s a special day between you and God to fast and pray. This year it fell on Saturday unluckily and all the Jewish players in Europe were not playing, including Nir Bitton.
“The Jewish calendar is different so when I looked at the fixtures I immediately noticed Yom Kippur fell on the day of the Celtic match.
“I went straight to the gaffer to tell him. I explained what it was and he fully understood – I really appreciated that.
“He allowed me to practise my beliefs. I don’t have words to describe how helpful and understanding he has been.”
Marciano more than repaid the understanding shown by Lennon as he defied Boyd in particular time and again – although the Rugby Park woodwork also came to his rescue three times.
He said: “It’s a great feeling to come back and start this run with clean sheets. Even in tough periods of games such as Kilmarnock the boys are fighting together and want to win every ball.
“We know when we don’t concede we will probably score at the other end and this is our main target. “I have a job to do and really appreciate the gaffer because I’ve been through a tough time recently. However, I feel the support from him and the staff at the club. “I’m happy to be back and fully focused to help the team achieve our goals. “We enjoyed a little good fortune at times against Kilmarnock but that was karma as we’ve also lost some unlucky goals this season. “It’s still early days in the season but there is great commitment from the boys and improvement in our squad in every game we play. “We know we can challenge in the big matches against the big teams but we’re trying not to look beyond the next game against Dundee this weekend. “I always look up the table, not down. It’s important to go as high as possible in your career. If not what’s the reason for going into training every day? However, we must keep doing exactly what we are doing right now and not take anything for granted.”