1997–98 Hibernian F.C. season


Season 1997–98 was an unqualified disaster for Hibs, as the club was relegated to the First Division by finishing bottom of the Premier Division. There was also disappointment in the cup competitions, as the club were beaten by First Division club Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, and Dundee United in the League Cup. Manager Jim Duffy was sacked and replaced by Alex McLeish midway through the season.

League season

Hibs got off to a good start to the season, winning 2–1 against Celtic on the opening day, with Chic Charnley scoring a memorable winning goal. The season "rapidly turned into a nightmare", however. With the club four points adrift at the bottom of the league, manager Jim Duffy was sacked after a 6–2 defeat by Motherwell. Alex McLeish was hired as Duffy's replacement, but he was unable to save the club from relegation to the First Division, despite improved levels of performance and determination.

Results

Final table

Scottish League Cup

Results

Scottish Cup

Results

Transfers

Players In

PlayerFromFee
Tony RougierRaith Rovers£250,000
Jean-Marc Adjovi-BoccoRC LensFree
Olafur GottskalkssonKeflavik£200,000
Stephen CrawfordMillwall£360,000
Justin SkinnerBristol RoversFree

Players Out

PlayerToFee
Joe McLaughlinClydebankFree
Graeme LoveAyr UnitedFree
Thorsten SchmuggeFree
Jim LeightonAberdeenFree
Keith WrightRaith RoversFree
Ian CameronRaith RoversFree
Darren JacksonCeltic£1,250,000
Chic CharnleyPartick ThistleFree
Greg MillerLivingstonNominal fee
Lee PowerAyr UnitedFree
Brian GrantDundeeFree

Loans In

PlayerFrom
Andy WalkerSheffield United
Bryan GunnNorwich City
Grant BrebnerManchester United

Loans Out

PlayerTo
John MartinBerwick Rangers
Eric PatonStenhousemuir
Ian McDonaldStenhousemuir

Player stats

During the 1997–98 season, Hibs used 32 different players in competitive games. The table below shows the number of appearances and goals scored by each player.