The Sky Blues might have won the game even more comfortably by all accounts as both Trond Egil Soltvedt and (fairly recently recruited CCFPA member) Kyle Lightbourne had good chances to net. City’s formation was a flat back four with Gary Breen getting his first outing on tour at right back. The game was certainly competitive as Hibs had to face the mighty Celtic in the League on August 3rd! Kyle was unlucky when a flicked header from a
McAllister cross was blocked on the line by Willie Miller and also hit the woodwork with a thunderous second half dipping shot. Hibs new strikers, ex Canary, Lee Power and former Raith Rovers forward Tony Rougier gave their side plenty of movement but City’s defence held firm and Paul Williams (now a CCFPA member) dominated the smaller strikers.
Steve Ogrizovic, Gary Breen, Richard Shaw, Paul Williams, David Burrows, Paul Telfer, Trond-Egil Soltvedt, Gary McAllister (c), John Salako, Kyle Lightbourne and Dion Dublin Substitutes: Kevin Richardson, Willie Boland, Michael O’Neill, Marcus Hall and Magnus Hedman (gk).
City continued their pre season back in England by conceding their first two goals in a 2-0 defeat at Stoke City at the end of the month, their only pre-season reverse. On August 1st normal service was restored with a 4-1 win at Torquay United and, in City’s only home game before the season started, top Dutch team Feyenoord (from Rotterdam) were overcome 2-1 at Highfield Road (see detailed post on that day).
As far as the 1997-98 Premier League campain went things were reasonably satisfactory with an eleventh placed finish, well clear of relegation, and Gordon stayed in charge right up to the Sky Blues departure from the top flight in 2000-01.
As far as the Jubilee season was concerned it was not a memorable one. A 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City on the opening day set the pattern and even though Terry Butcher was replaced by deputy Don Howe at the turn of the year things did not improve markedly. In the event, CCFC managed to ensure a 26th successive top flight season (but only just) finishing in nineteenth place just one place (and two points) above the relegated trio, Luton Town, Notts. County and West Ham United at the bottom.
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