The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Butcher’s Easter Road clear out
THEIR RELEGATION has triggered a 14-player clear out at Hibs.
James McPake and Kevin Thomson are among the leading names released by manager Terry Butcher.
The Leith boss has been holding training ground talks with his squad after they l ost their Premiership place to Hamilton following a penalty shoot-out defeat in Sunday’s play-off final second leg.
Ex-captain McPake and former Scotland international Thomson are joined on the list by goalkeeper Ben Williams, while Paul Cairney, Bradley Donaldson, David Gold, Paul Grant, Dean Horribine,Alan Maybury, Sean Murdoch and Tom Taiwo are also leaving.
Loan players Daniel Boateng, Danny Haynes and Duncan Watmore have all gone back to their parent clubs.
McPake insists it is not only the players who should be blamed for the club’s collapse claiming he could have helped the club fight its way out of trouble.
The defender picked up a back injury last October but says he has been fit for action for the last 10 weeks.
Confirming his departure, he told Sky Spor t s News: “The manager has told me I won’t be part of his plans.
“I’m gutted as I loved playing for this club. I’ve had some good times but also some very, very bad times.
“I’m just disappointed I never got the chance to help the club stay in the division.”
Hibs were 2-0 up from the first leg but had a look of sheer panic about them as soon as Jason Scotland gave Accies as 12thminute lead at Easter Road on Sunday.
The home side survived until the 93rd minute without conceding further but then let Tony Andreu send the game into extra-time.
Thomson was given a hero’s welcome when he was thrown on as a second-half substitute, but missed the opening spot-kick before Jason Cummings — the scorer of two goals at New Douglas Park — saw his effort saved by Kevin Cuthbert to hand Accies a 4-3 win.
Thomson also hinted at a frosty relationship with Butcher, saying: “I’m disappointed — everyone knows how much I love the club.
“Unfortunately the manager has a different opinion from a lot of other people and I have to respect that. I will now be looking for a new job.”
Butcher has vowed not to walk away and has pleaded with the club’s board for the chance to rebuild ahead of next season’s Championship campaign.
However, Thomson is shocked to see the club now reduced to secondtier status.
“Sunday was devastating,” the former Scotland midfielder said.
“I’m a Hibs fan, but it breaks my heart to see the club in the situation they are in.”