Hibs: The View From the Opposition

The Premiership has been shut down the past three weeks due to the winter break so both clubs will be eager to kick start their campaigns with a victory under the Dens Park lights.

That meant it was time to speak to the chaps over at Hibs Talk Podcast to ask them some questions about the recent happenings around their club.

Hibs will go into their third match of the season against Dundee on the back of a Scottish Cup defeat in the Edinburgh Derby. For anyone who never seen the match, how did Hibs play and did they deserve to be beaten?

For anyone who didn't see the game, they had a better Sunday afternoon than any Hibs fan or neutral. It was another poor Edinburgh Derby, with one goal just over the line, except this time it was given. Hibs didn't deserve a win, and if honest didn't a reply.

Craig Levein ruffled some feathers with his ‘natural order’ comment. Considering it’s been a long time since they last defeated Hibs, what was your thoughts on his post-match interview? Also, his reaction to Martin Boyle during the game was a bit over the top wasn’t it?

I think Craig Levein set put to achieve 3 things with that comment, wind up Lennon, wind up Hibs fans, and appease Hearts fans, and he was successful with all 3. All I'd say about the Boyle thing is that's twice this has happened at Tynecastle in the Hearts dug out...

The last time both our clubs met, it ended in a fourth win in a row for yourselves. Since then there has only been two wins from nine and lost a bit of ground on Aberdeen and been leapfrogged from The Rangers. I remember the first time we spoke, you said you would be happy with fourth but it must be disappointing and frustrating to see a gap opening up?

Recent form has been very poor, and the winter couldn't come quick enough. But that brought it's own documented issues. I think we would always be happy with 4th this season, but to be so far adrift of The Rangers and Aberdeen with Hearts breathing down our neck, this isn't what we expected, especially after the way we started the season

The Winter break has come with some unwanted headlines with Anthony Stokes, Danny Swanson and Martin Boyle being punished for breaking a curfew at the training camp. Stokes looks set to leave along with Swanson now. What was your take on this incident and the potential loss of these two players?

As mentioned these headlines haven't helped. My personal opinion, they stayed out past their bed time, so What, they're grown men, not children or soldiers. They're employees of a football club  and Hibs and Lennon need to get a grip. But that's only me. I'd be gutted to see them go, Swanson has battled personal life issues and injuries the 1st half of the season, for his dream move to end like this would be devastating, as well as seeing our Scottish Cup hero threw out on his ear. Hoping not but doesn't look good

What’s the gossip down around Leith about any potential transfer targets this window?

Heard a few rumours, Ryan Williamson (Right Back at Dunfermline) Ikechi Anya of Derby, and weirdly Ryan McGowan formally of Hearts...which I don't think would go down well.

You make your second trip up to the City of Discovery on Wednesday and will be hoping to make amends for the Derby defeat. How do you see this one panning out?

Hard to call, will we respond and be out for blood after losing the Derby? Or will we be to wrapped up in not winning that we're not composed. I'm leaning towards the 1st and will go 3-1 Hibs win