Fenlon flying high with Hibs

What a year it has been for Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon.

The 43-year-old Dubliner left Bohemians just over a year ago to take charge at the Scottish Premier League side and it's been a roller-coaster ride for the ex-Bohs, Derry City and Shelbourne boss.

Fenlon saved the Edinburgh club from relegation in his first season and made it to the Scottish Cup final, but the Hibees were hammered 5-1 by rivals Hearts.

This season though has seen a complete turnaround.

Hibs sit second in the SPL, just one point off leaders Celtic and last Sunday they went some way to avenging last season's Cup final defeat to Hearts by knocking the holders out in the fifth round thanks to a 1-0 win at Easter Road.

For Fenlon though, it hasn't been all plain sailing since he took over last November.

“It's a brand new team – there is probably around four players left that were here when I came into the club,” Fenlon told Extratime.ie.

“It's a big change but we're are pleased with our start to the season. The plan last year was to stay up and then strip that squad and that's what we done. We brought in some good players and I'm pleased with what we have as a squad."

Fenlon, who became one of the most successful manager in Irish football history during his spells with Shelbourne and then Bohemians, has brought in a lot of Irish talent to the Scottish side with ex-Sligo Rovers striker Eoin Doyle, former Bohs star Gary Deegan, Tim Clancy and Alan Maybury all making the switch to the capital club.

“The Irish lads we have brought in have done very well,” said Fenlon. “Their attitudes have been spot on and the lads we brought in from England and Scotland have done really well for us too.”

Fenlon managed in the League of Ireland for eight years before his move to Scotland and reckons the game is much healthier where he is now and also admits he fears for the long-term future of football in Ireland.

“Facilities, organisation and what you have to work with is the biggest difference,” explained Fenlon.

“The crowds are much, much bigger and I think that's because there is an industry in Scotland that they worked on for a long time. There are two big football clubs even if one (Rangers) isn't in the SPL at the moment.

“Teams like Hibs and Hearts too have a great tradition and history. There is an industry here and people want to go and watch their football, unfortunately that's not the way it is at home and there doesn't seem to be any huge drive to stop that. That's the biggest problem and that's the biggest difference.

“Maybe four or five year ago when the League of Ireland was of a higher standard one or two teams could have competed with SPL teams a bit better. At the moment I think there is a massive gap between our own league (League of Ireland) and most of the leagues around Europe and I think it's going to get worse before it gets better.

“I have no doubt the standard in the League of Ireland is slipping. I watched a bit of it last season and I've watched it over the last ten years. There are a lot of young players in the league right now and that is a good thing but the league is being drained of the really good players that we had in it because the industry is not there, the wages aren't there to pay them and clubs can't sustain it.”

There have been murmurings of a shock title challenge and a cup run around Easter Road but Fenlon insists brining stability to Hibs was first on his list of targets this season.

“It's a very competitive league and there is very little in the teams apart from Celtic who have a big squad," insisted Fenlon.

"They will be very hard to stop but outside of that I think it will be a competitive league. Realistically people can talk about challenging them but they have so many players. Once they hit a little bit of form and get into their stride they will be hard to stop.

“But I think for anyone who can finish behind them it will be like winning the league, that's really what it's about for the rest of the clubs.

“We were second from bottom just last season so to go from there to second would be a big ask. We need to improve.

“Since I have come in the supporters have been great, they have realised there has been a lot of chopping and changing at the club and they know it needs stability to move forward – on and off the park. We're not saying we are world beaters but the team is fitter, stronger and competes more and I think they can see that.”