Hibs keen to keep ‘different class’ McPake

After turning in a dominant defensive display as Hibernian secured their SPL status by hammering Dunfermline on Monday night, James McPake’s future was the talk of the post-match interviews.

Made captain after his loan move from Coventry City back to the SPL, the central defender has become a cult figure at Easter Road and now has a Scottish FA Cup final derby against Hearts to look forward to.

‘He was tremendous,’ manager Pat Fenlon said afterwards.

‘Since he’s come in, he’s been different class. He’s what we need in the club; he’s a great leader and we’d love to keep him but he’s a Coventry player and we need to try and sort that out first.

‘He’s just an honest centre-half and he defends really well and he’s the type you want. He doesn’t want to concede goals no matter when it is and he showed that tonight; he got some great blocks in.’