Hibs boss looks for keeper as Ma-Kalambay gets Olympic Games call-up

Last updated : 16 July 2008 By Steve Forbes

ma-kalambayinteractive.jpg Hibs keeper Ma-Kalambay picture by 1875steve

Hibs keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay has been called in to the
Belgium squad for this summers Olympic Games in Beijing.

The 22-year-old former
Chelsea, PSV Eindhoven and Anderlecht keeper will miss Hibs remaining friendly games against Clyde, Barcelona, Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough.

He will also miss the first three SPL games of the season against
Kilmarnock, Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

This will leave Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen with a massive headache heading into the new season with only Andy McNeil and exciting youngster David Grof to fight it out for the Number one spot at Easter Road.

Paatelainen has revealed that he will move quickly to fill the gap left by Ma-Kalambay and may sort out a loan deal for a keeper until January.

The Hibees also had 24-year-old
New Zealand goalkeeper Phil Imray playing as a trialist at Starks Park last night, as they drew their first pre-season friendly with Raith Rovers 0-0.

The Hibs boss said:

"It's a fantastic opportunity for any sportsman to take part in the Olympic Games and to be included in the squad for Beijing can only be a massive positive for Yves.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Yes, it gives me a problem but we will solve it. We need to look at our options and which goalkeepers are available. We might go for a half-year loan or something like that, it all depends."

Well done Maka, but it leaves us with a big headache heading in to the new season.

Thanks once again to Alan Rennie and the Hibernian Interactive team for the use of the photo.

Hibs Interactive has all of the highlights from this season's games, as well as archive footage from season's gone by for your viewing pleasure.

If you live outside the UK you can also view the Hibees games LIVE with commentary from the Interactive team.

You can do all of this by clicking on the following link:

http://www.hiberniantv.co.uk/hiindex.php

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