With the “ real team’s “ game against Clydebank called off on Saturday I suddenly found myself demoted - aye, all the work I do and this is how they treat me - to covering Sizzling Saints’ trip away to Erin Hibs in Edinburgh. Of course, when I say demoted that’s not strictly true - having watched Airdrie the previous day surely any kind of football at all is a step up?

There was to be a number of shocks in the build up to kick off starting with the moment the Saints’ team bus drove up to the pitches which were to host our match. Supposedly in the Caribbean during the SPL’s winter break Alex McLeish and his players welcomed us to Edinburgh with the news that they were in fact the opposition - how I looked forward to a duel with Russell Latapy!

With John Hughes and Shaun Dennis’s lack of pace in mind Harpo threw up a surprise in the team selection, giving Craig Sinclair his first start since returning from injury and preferring Sean Ritchie up front to the ridiculously red booted Kenny Morrison, who really should stick to playing in goals.

The plan looked set to pay off in the early stages with Mark Gallacher and Ritchie threatening on numerous occasions without really getting a clear cut chance.
It was Ritchie who was to have the games first chance when Saints were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal. Despite the promising situation though, his effort was, to say the least, disgraceful as the ball bobbled ever so slowly wide.

Chances were few and far between for either side - although Mark Logue did save tremendously from Pat McGinlay’s rasping drive on the half hour mark - before Hibs opened the scoring.

A pass in behind the defence looked to be covered by Brian McNelis but a slip as he was set to clear allowed Kenny Miller in to net with a low shot into the bottom right hand corner.

After the break Saints were still struggling to break down the Experienced Hibs rear guard and things looked set to get worse when Sinclair, in an attempt to have himself dismissed to allow him a nibble at Karin’s McDonald’s,  hacked down Latapy inside the box. The little Trinidadian’s resultant spot-kick left a lot to be desired however as the ball flew wide of Logue’s left hand post.

Soon after the score was doubled though when a loose ball 20 yards from goal was met by Franck Sauzee who launched an unstoppable shot high into the net.

Hibs were flying by this point and two quick goals from Miller and then Dirk Lehmann completed the scoring before Saints finally managed to test Ole Gottskalksson in the home side’s goal. Unfortunately, Craig’s long range effort was securely dealt with by the Hibs ‘keeper.

In the end it was a deserved victory for McLeish’s side but, hey, at least we lasted longer than them in the pub!