Hibernian V Inverness CT at Easter Road Stadium : Match Preview

21 September 2012 18:01
Hibernian V Inverness CT - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

Taiwo has title ambitions Midfielder Tom Taiwo has lofty ambitions for his first season at Hibernian and is eyeing an extension to the unbeaten run which could end in European football and, he believes, a possible Clydesdale Bank Premier League title. The 22-year-old, who was once the subject of a high-profile move from Leeds to Chelsea, has signed a two-year contract at Easter Road, with the prospect of Europe a major attraction. The opportunity to succeed Celtic as SPL champions appears more far fetched, but Taiwo hopes to improve the five-match unbeaten run which sees Hibs three points ahead of Celtic and trailing only Motherwell ahead of Saturday's clash with Inverness. "The big thing for me is the chance to play in Europe and also a chance to win the league this season, with Celtic dropping points already," said Taiwo, who left Carlisle at the end of last season. "When you're unbeaten after as many games as we are it's got to be in the back of your mind. "Nothing's been mentioned at training, because that would be a little bit hasty. "Keeping that unbeaten run is paramount and then building from there." Taiwo left Carlisle seeking to move closer to his native Yorkshire, but a move never materialised - compensation due to the Cumbrian side was the stumbling block - and he ended up in Edinburgh after speaking to Hibs boss Pat Fenlon. Taiwo said: "An agreement couldn't be reached between a club in Yorkshire and Carlisle United, which is totally within their rights, because of the situation with compensation. "The manager (Fenlon) heard about my situation, he gave my agent a call, we had a meeting and from there it's just taken off." Former England youth international Taiwo and Michael Woods were the subject of a reported #5million out of court settlement after Leeds chairman Ken Bates accused Chelsea of making illegal approaches for the players. After a short spell on the periphery at Stamford Bridge, Taiwo left for Carlisle, initially on loan, and is now keen to further his reputation at Easter Road. He added: "I had a good time at Chelsea, I learned a lot of things. It set me up to playing quite a lot of games for Carlisle and getting a chance to move here and hopefully playing a lot of games for Hibs as well." Inverness defender Josh Meekings has denied his team are dirty despite going down to 10 men in half of their Clydesdale Bank Premier League games. Owain Tudur Jones begins a three-match suspension on Saturday after being sent off for the second time this season during last week's 1-1 draw with Aberdeen. Richie Foran has also been dismissed and Inverness have the highest tally of yellow cards in the league with 17 in six games. But Meekings insists their crime count does not tell the full story. "People can say what they want outside the club, we know we are not a dirty team," he said. "We just play the game. "We don't want to let anyone get on top of us and unfortunately there has been a few occasions when maybe luck hasn't gone our way or it looks a bad challenge when perhaps it's not, it's just a bit of a late challenge. "We have just got to ignore that talk from the outside and keep working as hard as we are." Meekings is set to continue at centre-back at Easter Road after regaining his place in the team in recent weeks. The Englishman has a chance to stake a regular place with fellow defender Simon King ruled out for eight weeks with a chipped bone in his ankle. "I came on as a sub in the first few games," Meekings said. "Now I'm in the team at centre-back and I'm very happy. "I just want to get a clean sheet and a win, like all the lads, and really kick on and make something of the season." end

Source: PA