Football: McLeish in `attitude' appeal after video show

SCOTTISH PREVIEW

ALEX McLEISH has made his Hibernian players squirm through a "video nasty" and now he wants them to show it has affected their mental state.

Aberdeen travel to Edinburgh today seeking only their second victory of the season, but their coach, Ebbe Skovdahl, was given encouragement by a dismal Hibernian performance in their 1-0 home defeat by St Johnstone on Wednesday.

McLeish sat down with his team to watch the game on Thursday and the outcome was greeted with stony silence. "Every time something went wrong they looked up at me and saw me shaking my head," said the former Aberdeen favourite.

"I was annoyed with what happened. It was by far the worst home performance of the season. We just kept lumping the ball forward and it was simply not good enough. I need leaders who are going to roll their sleeves up and battle - players with a bit of attitude."

Skovdahl is aware of the threat posed by Russell Latapy and Franck Sauzee. "They are important players for Hibs and dangerous at set-pieces," he said. "Sauzee is similar in shooting ability to Jorg Albertz and we need to watch him."

Dundee United aim for their third win of the season over St Johnstone when the teams meet at Tannadice. The Saints goalkeeper Alan Main is struggling with a groin problem.

Dunfermline Athletic want the former Birmingham City midfielder Jimmy Calderwood, who is currently the coach of the Dutch club NEC Nijmegen, as their new manager.