Mixu urges Hibs to beat the critics by beating Boro

MIXU PAATELAINEN has urged his under-fire Hibs stars to use tomorrow's clash with English Premier League outfit Middlesbrough to silence their critics.

The Easter Road boss and his players have come under fierce attack following a miserable run of pre-season results culminating in a 3-0 defeat by First Division Clyde.

But while admitting he'd expected more from his side, Paatelainen has resolutely insisted everything will fall into place before the opening game of the season even if it is just eight days away.

Before then, Paatelainen has the visits of Middlesbrough tomorrow and Wigan Athletic on Tuesday to get things right and he believes the arrival of Gareth Southgate's side tomorrow can bring out the best in his faltering stars.

He said: "It's a fantastic opportunity to play against a very good side which will play football in the correct manner. It's a test for us, no question about it, and we need to play well if we want to win the game.

"But it is also a good chance for the players to show there is light at the end of the tunnel. We haven't done well and, as I said after the Clyde game, I expected more. Obviously, we are not there yet and my expectation was wrong.

"However, it is my job as manager to make sure that when the season starts we play well. So far it has not happened. We are not playing as a team but I am sure it will come because all the elements are there.

"We haven't played for any points yet and the aim is to be ready for when it really matters. If someone was to tell me that overnight we have become such a bad team I wouldn't believe it.

"At the moment the players need to relax a little bit, focus totally on the game and it will come, of that I have no doubt."

Asked if he believed the fact his players would now be at home facing formidable opposition rather than lower-league sides on their grounds would help concentrate both minds and effort, Paatelainen said: "That should not be the case.

"I would like to think our boys are so professional that whoever and wherever they are playing they would do it.

"Tomorrow I want to see a bunch of players out there who really want to play together, who want to play for the club and want to do absolutely everything to win the game."

Paatelainen is, naturally, conscious of the anxiety which has been growing among some Hibs fans, but today he implored them to stand behind his players.

"Whenever we play we need our supporters, it's why they are called supporters," he said.

"I hope they see a very, very determined side playing and that they'll support the players."

Paatelainen has still to decide whether midfielder Joe Keenan, who missed the trip to Broadwood with a "tight" groin, will feature tomorrow but fellow new signing Steven Thicot is likely to make his home debut.

Uruguayan star Fabian Yantorno is also in the squad but, having already turned out twice as a trialist, the midfielder can play only once more as such under SFA rules and Paatelainen admitted he'd like to see him go through an entire 90 minutes, something he is not capable of doing at present.

He said: "It's something to think about, Fabian is not ready to play 90 but we can, of course, arrange some closed doors matches to get him more game time."