First division is no stroll for the Edinburgh men Hibs learn that it's no holiday

HIBERNIAN, by the very nature of their size, can claim to be among the top half-dozen clubs in the country, but while the elite of Scottish football were having a holiday at the weekend, the Easter Road men were finding out a few hard facts about life in the first division.

They lost a goal in injury time against Clydebank at Boghead and dropped two points. Those, added to the points already dropped against Stranraer and Falkirk, could prove crucial in their attempt to escape from a division in which, as they say, it takes a bit of fighting, biting, and scratching to succeed.

The truth is, Hibs were, indeed, fortunate to come away with anything at all. Clydebank were the better side, more composed, more determined, and certainly more aware of the qualities needed at this level.

If the players are unaware of what is needed, then manager Alex McLeish certainly knows how the land lies. ''I really don't want to take away too much from Clydebank,'' he said. ''But that was a poor performance by Hibs, from start to finish.

''We didn't have the confidence, composure, or sharpness that we asked for. That type of performance is not going to do.

''We didn't test their defence at all. Even I could have played against our front lot today and not been troubled. It was a poor show, and I only exempt our goalkeeper Olli Gottskuksson from criticism.''

Substitute Kevin Harper, who could be on his way to Derby County soon, perked things up a bit when he came on at the start of the second half for Paul Tosh, but even he admitted that the Edinburgh club were a bit fortunate to escape with anything at all.

Said Harper: ''We didn't play well at all and Clydebank probably deserved the three points, so we're happy to get away with one.

''Clydebank battled for 90 minutes and every team in this division is going to do that when they play against us. This season certainly isn't going to be a stroll in the park for us.''

Clydebank manager Ian McCall, who has the added pressure of worrying about the future of a club with very little support and financial problems, was also convinced that Hibs were fortunate. He said: ''I'm very disappointed that we took only one point from this game, but as we scored so late on, I suppose we have to be happy with that.

''Only one team played football in the first half and it wasn't Hibs. I think we have adapted well after getting promotion last season and some of our younger players have exceptional ability. They have just got to believe in themselves.''

Hibs were a huge disappointment, especially in the first half. Only two magnificent saves from Gottskulksson - one from Paul Lovering, the other from Scott Miller - kept Hibs in the match.

However, the introduction of Harper paid immediate dividends for McLeish's side. In 58 minutes, Hibs produced their first real chance of the match - and took it.

Clydebank goalkeeper Colin Scott blocked two efforts from Pat McGinlay, but the ball broke to Harper, who had the easiest of jobs to prod in the rebound.

The home side then gave Hibs a lesson in how to battle. They stepped things up and deservedly equalised in 73 minutes when Tom Smith ran on to a cross from Craig Taggart. The full back controlled it well, took the ball round the keeper, but then stumbled. Gary Teale, however, was in support and he supplied the finishing touch.

Then came an amazing finish. With just seconds of normal time left, Stevie Crawford volleyed in what looked like the winning goal, but Clydebank again displayed tremendous grit and determination, and with two minutes of injury time on the clock, defender Kenny Brannigan went upfield to power in a header from a Teale corner.