I think this can be boiled down to a few things:
- the term 'big club' is a totally subjective thing that has been manufactured into some sort of title in the modern game by tv companies who boil the size of a club down to viewing figures they attract on tv/attendances etc, they have no relevance whatsoever in a sporting context.
- no club 'should' be somewhere based on attendances, history or any of that nonsense, again only sky sports and its hangers on (or media figures in Glasgow who are desperate for Celtic and Rangers to be relevant on a global stage) would have you believe that
- I agree with Lichtie that Hibs have a squad that is certainly capable of competing in the Premiership, I would stop short of saying comfortably top 6 though, I think there is a fair few average at best players in and among some decent premiership quality ones.
- Anyone who's enjoyment of football is reduced because the stand behind the goal isn't packed with people probably needs to question why it is they watch football, if it's for noise and colour then you're probably a simpleton.