Alexander ready to save face in family dispute
NEIL ALEXANDER, the Hearts goalkeeper, admits the fractured cheekbone that he sustained at Rangers in the opening weekend of the SPFL Championship season hurt in more ways than one.
The 36-year-old was left in agony from the facial knock following an accidental collision with team-mate Alim Ozturk during the second half of the 2-1 victory. But upon being told that his convalescence would last up to six weeks, Alexander’s cheekbone was not the sole source of his pain. It immediately dawned on the Hearts fan that his hopes of playing against Hibs the following week had been shattered.
Alexander, who heads to Easter Road tomorrow with a Hearts side 14 points clear of their Edinburgh rivals, said: “Missing the derby probably hurt more than the actual injury. It was devastating, it really hurt me. It’s one I’ve really wanted to play in, so I was absolutely devastated before with my injury and not managing to play.
“I realised I was out when I was lying in recovery at Ibrox with the doctors, things would go through my head. I just knew I’d be out. When the doctor said ‘you’ve definitely done your cheekbone – you’re going to be out for maybe four to six weeks’, the first thing I thought was I was going to miss the derby. I knew we had big games coming up.
“I’ve been lucky in my career not to have too many serious injuries. That was probably one of the worst I’ve had. I’ve been staying away from Alim since it happened, to be honest. We have a bit of banter about that.”
After growing up as a Hearts supporter – despite his father, Jim, following Hibs – Alexander has always been eager to sample the Edinburgh derby. He added: “My dad supports Hibs but all my friends at school were Hearts fans and it just happened from there. Myself and my dad used to go to the derbies a lot and sit together in the family stand.
“From a young age I’ve known a lot about the Edinburgh derby, and to be able to play in one is going to be really special. I really enjoyed them, the atmosphere and everything, and giving my dad a bit of stick when Hearts won – and they won more than they lost.
“It was great and I’m really looking forward to fulfilling a dream and being able to say I’ve played in one.
“I’ve played in an Old Firm derby, of the best sides in Scotland, and I don’t just mean this league, I mean the Premiership as well.”
Alan Stubbs, the head coach, was in equally feisty mood. Despite Hearts winning five of the last six encounters between the side, he is adamant the tide will turn. “It can be psychological. But, whether one team has got the hoodoo over another team, it will change,” said Stubbs. “It’s just a matter of time.” I’ve played in an East Anglian derby at Ipswich against Norwich, I’ve played in a few derbies. This is one I’ve not played in, so it will be a good one to tick off when I look back at the end of my career.”
Hearts were plunged into a goalkeeping crisis ahead of August’s derby, which they won 2-1, after Alexander’s deputy, Scott Gallacher, sustained an ankle injury in training. Jack Hamilton was recalled from his loan at Stenhousemuir and was handed a first-team debut but Alexander admits that watching from the sidelines was torture.
He said: “It was nerve-wracking. Being able to watch but not being able to influence the game in any way or do anything about the situations that occurred was really tough. But Jack came in and did fantastically well, and the boys managed to get a great result.” LEEANN DEMPSTER, the Hibernian chief executive, has confirmed the Edinburgh club intend to welcome two supporters on to their board of directors within three months.
With overwhelming support expressed for fan representation at board level in a recent survey, Dempster described the move as “a significant step” towards giving fans “an increased role in influencing and shaping the future of our club”.
Any Hibs season-ticket holder aged 18 or above will be able to nominate themselves for a position on the board by completing the application form available on the club website.
The deadline for applicants is November 21, with a “democratic election” – also limited to registered season-ticket holders – subsequently taking place, though exact details of that process have yet to be confirmed.
Hibs expect the election to be completed in time for the new directors to take their seat in the maiden board meeting of 2015, currently scheduled for January.
“Having supporter representatives on the board is a significant step in the involvement of supporters in the running and governance of the club,” said Dempster. “The consultation survey showed an overwhelming support for having representatives on the board, with 85 per cent of respondents answering positively.
“This is an exciting time for everyone involved at Hibernian, and another step in having supporters play an increased role in influencing and shaping the future of our club.”
The two supporters selected will attend monthly and ad hoc board meetings. To be eligible they must pass the Scottish Football Association’s Fit and Proper Person Test.