KAISER SAUZEE RULES SUPREME

THE news that Franck Sauzee has decided to extend his stay at Easter Road must be like music to the ears for all Hibees supporters, so Opta take a look at his stats to see what he has to offer the side.

The mercurial Frenchman has been a huge influence on his team's push for honours this term, and Alex McLeish will be delighted that he has secured his services for a further two years.

Signed from Montpellier in February 1999, Sauzee played the majority of last season in central midfield. Since McLeish moved him to sweeper at the start of the current campaign, Hibernian have challenged the Old Firm at the top of the SPL, and boast the tightest defence having conceded just 16 league goals.

The experience that the ex-Marseille man has brought to Easter Road is invaluable, and despite his age, he has proved to be one of the most consistent performers in the SPL. Making 1,141 passes already this term, much of Hibernian's play is directed from the back, and his 76% accuracy suggests he is rarely wasteful with his distribution. With his range of long passes, Hibs have also benefited from his creative vision - Sauzee has completed 72% of his 531 passes over 25 yards.

Sauzee's forays up the park are also a major feature of his game, and to date he has attempted 44 shots on goal. With 16 shots on target from outside the box, no other player has hit the target with as many shots from distance. Not bad for a defender! Last season's final league position of sixth will undoubtedly be bettered this time around, and much of the improvement must be put down to McLeish's deployment of Sauzee in defence. Hibernian conceded 61 goals in 36 games last season at a rate of just under 1.5 goals per game. This year the Easter Road outfit are conceding goals at the miserly rate of 0.6 per game. It does not take a genius to work out that the manager's tactical nous looks to be paying handsome dividends.

Should Hibernian continue to perform as well after the winter break as they did prior to it, then the form and fitness of the Frenchman is crucial. He may not have the pace of old, but having won 54% of his 85 tackles this term, and making over 240 clearances - the second highest total in the Division - Sauzee's positional sense appears to be improving with age.

If Hibernian are to be rewarded with a European berth this year, then Franck Sauzee will be due much of the credit. Having won a European Cup winners medal in his time at Marseille, The Kaiser will once again be eager to test his undoubted skills against the best the continent has to offer. And who knows? Maybe European glory nights could be returning to the capital.