MIXU PAATELAINEN appreciates the disappointment felt by Hibs fans at missing out on the UEFA Cup because the big Finn is not just the Easter Road team's manager – he's one of the club's biggest supporters.
Having played for Hibs twice, for three years between September 1998 and July 2001 and then again towards the end of his playing career between February 2002 and July 2003, the 41-year-old was a huge favourite in the stands. And the feeling was mutu
al.
During his time out on the pitch at Easter Road, the club also won a permanent place in his heart and he was delighted when, after spells managing both Cowdenbeath and TPS Turku in his homeland, Rod Petrie asked him to return for a third spell to replace John Collins at the helm.
Hibs had suffered a serious slump by then but Paatelainen's influence saw Hibs run Motherwell close to claiming the UEFA spot and third in the SPL, only falling out of the race on Sunday with defeat to Celtic. However, Paatelainen admits he always harboured ambitions of filling the manager's seat and that he sometimes has to pinch himself to make sure that he's not dreaming when he walks into the club's East Mains training complex every morning.
He came painfully close to rewarding the Hibs fans for their backing but today reveals that he has loved every single minute of being back at the club again.
Paatelainen, who will take charge of his 20th competitive match as Hibs manager when they take on Motherwell at Easter Road on Thursday night, said: "I have loved every minute of it and it's wonderful to be working for the club after playing here for so many years. I had a great relationship with the supporters and I really have a special feeling for the club now.
"Sometimes it feels a little bit unbelievable to be working here.
"It is a very busy time for us, we have matches and training sessions to prepare for and organise so as a result you just don't get the time to think about it really."
The Hibs manager conceded that missing out on place in the UEFA Cup had been a huge disappointment but hopes to be back with an even stronger challenge next season.
Paatelainen has already completed the signing of David van Zanten from St Mirren with a week of the current campaign still remaining. Fabian Yantorno, who came to the club earlier in the season after being released by Gretna, is also on board with the Hibs manager set to take a closer look at other targets over the coming weeks.
Paatelainen continued: "We have identified some players that we are interested in, although if and when they happen is another matter. We need to take a closer look at a few of them playing, so we will need to wait and see how that goes but we are hoping that a few new faces will be arriving over the summer.
"Everyone was disappointed in the dressing room after the game against Celtic but we need to start looking ahead and next week we play Motherwell.
"It is a league game and it is at home, in front of our own supporters so it is important that we are fully focused and concentrated on the game.
"It is still an important game for us and we need to make sure that we are prepared for it because they have had a good season and will also want to finish their campaign on a high."
The full article contains 602 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
