GRZEGORZ Szamotulski was not in goal at Tynecastle on Thursday night but his presence was still felt. His arrival at Hibs has forced the other goalkeepers to up their game and, on the evidence of his performance against Hearts, Yves Makalmbay has done just that.
That's one of the reasons Mixu Paatelainen is hoping a deal can be struck to keep the influential Pole at Easter Road. "He trains hard and has a fantastic attitude and any goalkeeper (training with him] will find that some of that rubs off on him."
The problem, as usual, is money and the fact there is a disparity between the sums being offered by the board and the amount being demanded by the player. The former Dundee United keeper is therefore unwilling to commit. Yet, having spent six months on the sidelines after the deals he wanted failed to roll in last summer, the hope for Hibs is that he will not want another stint out of the game. Paatelainen knows the qualities he brings to his squad and is crossing his fingers.
In his 12 starts, he has kept five cleans sheets and only conceded more than one goal in four of his games. Given Hibs' inconsistencies, it is a decent return since his arrival in January. But it is more than his shot-stopping and command of his area that appeals to his boss.
"He's not definitely going to leave. At the moment he's with us and we enjoy his services. I've spoken to him and there's a possibility (he will stay]. He likes it, he enjoys the club, the training and feels it would be fantastic to stay. He is quite experienced, he has qualities as a footballer ... if a goalkeeper can be called a footballer! But first and foremost he is a good character and a good goalkeeper. He breeds confidence. He's had a good influence on the defence."
In terms of transfer activity, targets have been identified and talks started but the extent of completed deals so far is the signing up of seven of the club's youngsters. The potential is evident but with their character still to be tested at the higher level, Paatelainen knows he needs players with the experience and mentality of Szamotulski to help them.
"Dressing rooms need characters and people who will take responsibility. Guys who are leaders and help the others when the going gets tough," said the Hibs manager. "I must be honest, I don't know the character (of the young boys] totally yet ... that is still to be tested. The first-team environment is totally different to the youth-team. But they have shown enough talent and potential to suggest they have every chance to become top professionals. That's why they have been given contracts.
"The Arsenal kids come in and don't look out of place. They have done it successfully for years and so have we. We have produced youngsters in the past, some who have gone on to bigger things, some who still play for us. Hopefully these boys are the same."
But Paatelainen knows they will need the influence of experience to achieve that full potential and Szamotulski has already shown he is a safe pair of hands.
