Collins faces big decision as Hibs supporters call for head of error-prone Malkowski

FORMER Hibernian midfielder Paul Kane last night admitted the club's fans are running out of patience with error-prone goalkeeper Zibi Malkowski - and want him dropped for Saturday's SPL fixture at home to Dunfermline Athletic.

The 28-year-old Pole endured another afternoon to forget in the 3-2 Boxing Day defeat to capital rivals Hearts at Tynecastle. Malkowski spilled a tame Paul Hartley free-kick to gift Edgaras Jankauskas a simple 49th-minute tap-in and hand the home side a commanding two-goal lead.
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The mistake came hot on the heels of other calamities against Hearts, including being at fault for both goals in the 2-2 draw at Easter Road on October 15.

Malkowski, who also cost his team the Scottish Cup semi-final in a 4-0 defeat to eventual winners Hearts last April, is now under intense pressure after boss John Collins criticised him post-match on Tuesday.

Now supporters are demanding that out-of-favour Simon Brown is handed another chance or Scotland Under-19 keeper Andrew McNeil is given his debut.

Edinburgh-born Kane, who was at Tynecastle earlier this week and attends most Hibs games, knows Collins has a huge decision to make when the Fifers visit this weekend.

The former midfielder, a Hibs player from 1982-1991, said: "Having spoken to the fans after the game, they are saying it's now a chance for either Simon Brown or young Andy McNeil. Walking back from the game you tend to hear a heated reaction and, in the cold light of day it can change, but I think the fans are now looking for something different.

"John Collins has just come in but for fans who have seen Zibi week-in, week-out, they are of the opinion there is a chance of a mistake - and Tuesday was not the first time he'd done it. You go back to the cup semi-final and the 2-2 game at Easter Road. Will John let him away with this blunder and stick by him on Saturday?

"The reaction Zibi gets from the fans, if he does play, might help John in solving the goalkeeping problem. In his defence, since John's come in, Zibi's probably played at a higher standard than before. However, it works against the team if he's seen as the fall guy. Then when he makes these mistakes against local rivals it makes it even worse."

Taken from the Scotsman