Football: Big Eck saved me from a real downer; MARINKOV COULD HAVE BEEN FALL GUY.
HAPPY HIBEE Alex Marinkov took time out from the Easter Road title celebrations to spare a thought for the club he left behind.While the 31-year-old Frenchman was celebrating going UP to the Premier League, his old side, Scarborough, were suffering after being sent DOWN to the Conference League.
And Marinkov is just delighted that Alex McLeish saved him being part of the cruel sinking of Scarborough.
Despite looking safe following a 1-1 draw against Peterborough, Scarborough's worst nightmare came true when goalkeeper Jimmy Glass popped up with an injury-time winner against Plymouth to keep Carlisle up instead.
As he prepared to fly home to France today for a summer break, Marinkov said: "I feel so sad for all the good friends I made at Scarborough.
"It's incredible what happened to them at the weekend.
"After Hibs' big party and the parading of the First Division trophy, I was in the supporters' lounge at Easter Road watching the results come in on TV.
"To be perfectly honest, I was not too optimistic when I saw that Scarborough had only drawn because there was nothing at stake really for Plymouth in their match against Carlisle. Then the news came through that Carlisle had managed to stay up by one point ... thanks to that late, late goal from their goalkeeper."
Marinkov will always have a soft spot for little Scarborough who are to lodge an official protest with the English FA and the Football League because Glass was signed after the transfer deadline.
The Hibs ace said: "There was always a good atmosphere there. I was with the club for just over seven months and really enjoyed it.
"I always look out to see how they are doing. Last week, I travelled down to Scarborough with my fiancee, Nina, and watched them beat Plymouth 3-0 and I thought that would give them a good chance of staying in the Third Division.
"Sadly, it was just not to be."
Saturday marked Marinkov's fifth championship success. As an 18-year-old he won his first medal in the French Third Division with Annecy, one in the Fourth Divsion with Limogues and a couple with his last French club, Raon L'Etape.
He said: "They were all special in their own way but Saturday was the best because Hibs are the biggest club I've played for."
Since teaming up with the capital outfit in February, Marinkov has done a solid job. Now he's looking forward to being part of a Hibs team aiming to make its mark on the SPL.
He said: "Obviously it's up to the manager but if I continue to be involved with the squad I will be very happy.
"I love it here in Edinburgh. It's a wonderful city, there's so much to see - and Hibs are a fantastic club."
Meanwhile, boss McLeish will this week offer new contracts to club captain John Hughes, Stuart Lovell and Mic-hael Ren-wick.
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
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| Author: | Docherty, John |
| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | May 11, 1999 |
| Words: | 485 |
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