RON-ALL-GO
Hanlon forecasts exciting future at Hibs after owner Gordon’s talk-in STIRLING ALBION ..... 1 HIBS ..... 1
HIBS skipper Paul Hanlon is impressed with new owner Ron Gordon – and has vowed to show him the best side of the team soon.
Gordon looked on at Forthbank as Hibs were forced to settle for a bonus point in a penalty shootout.
It was the first time he had seen the club in competitive action since he completed his buy-out last month.
Hibs paid the price for wastefulness in front of goal but no one could deny the hard-working Binos a point.
Hanlon revealed there was a talk-in at East Mains with Gordon last week as he outined his aspirations and expectations.
He said: “It’s exciting, there’s no doubt about it. We had a meeting during the week for him to introduce himself, his ethos and how he likes to work in business.
“He wants it to be a happy working environment for everyone. He wants honest, humble, hard-working people.
“That’s what he has enjoyed throughout his businesses career and it has worked for him. He’s trying to bring that into a football environment.
“He is not promising the world overnight. There would be alarm bells if he came in and said things like that. It will be steady progress and a focus on things behind the scenes first and see where it goes.
“It’s an exciting time for the club but it’s not something we can concentrate on too much. We have to do our jobs and hopefully he will see a few better performances over the coming months and years when he’s at Easter Road.”
On-loan Preston keeper Chris Maxwell made the save that mattered from Craig Truesdale after misses by Dom Docherty and Scott Allan.
Hibs playmaker Scott Allan scored on the stroke of half-time with a penalty after Paul McLean handled Stephen Mallan’s freekick. But Hibs were made to pay for a string of missed chances when David Wilson cracked a super second-half strike to give the League Two club a point they merited.
Hanlon said: “We have to do better in the final third. If we had scored the second we would have cruised to victory.”
Binos boss Kevin Rutkiewicz said: “I’m delighted with the performance. We asked the boys to win the second half and they did it with a goal of
real quality.”
GARY RALSTON AT FORTHBANK
“He spoke really well and seems passionate about making a difference at the club. That’s all the players, management and fans want to hear – a guy who is passionate and wants to take the club to the next level. Hibs win 5-4 on pens