Mowbray hails local heroes

IAIN COLLIN

TONY Mowbray, the Hibernian manager, yesterday reflected on his team’s 2-1 comeback win against Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday night and insisted the result can act as the perfect springboard towards qualification for the UEFA Cup. Mowbray also said the victory was particularly important for the local, home-grown players, who know more than most the importance of winning the capital derby.

The Easter Road side now hold an eight-point advantage over Hearts and a four-point lead on fourth-placed Aberdeen in the race for third place in the Premierleague. And, while Mowbray is only too aware of the possibility of yet more fluctuations in what will be a tense run-in, he acknowledged the benefits of Wednesday’s win, which was achieved late in the second half when goals from Garry O’Connor and Dean Shiels cancelled out Lee Miller’s opener for the home side.

"Wednesday night was a big result for us in a lot of aspects," said Mowbray, who enjoyed his first Edinburgh derby success since arriving at Hibs last summer and guided the Leith club to their first win at Tynecastle since 1999. "One, to win the derby; two, to widen the gap on one of our main rivals; and three, to give us a lot of confidence going into the last six games.

"We are happy to win every game but for the supporters and the players indigenous to the city, in particular, it was very pleasing."

Hibs will now be hoping that title-chasing Celtic do what is expected of them against Aberdeen at Parkhead, whilst rejuvenated Dundee United could also do Mowbray and his team a big favour by ensuring Hearts drop further behind at Tannadice. The Hibs manager, however, is more concerned with ensuring that his own players do not falter against Livingston at Easter Road.

"Now Livingston is the biggest game of the season so far," added Mowbray. "It is a massive three points in what could be a big weekend for us, although we said that a couple of weeks ago and Hearts then won at Celtic Park and Aberdeen won at Inverness.

"Livingston made it difficult for Celtic for long spells the other night and, as we found out when Dundee United were bottom of the league going into the semi-final, league position can end up counting for nothing over 90 minutes.

"We know there is a long way still to go and that starts against Livingston on Saturday."

While everyone in green and white came through the raucous Tynecastle battle without serious injury, Mowbray still faces a possible selection problem at left-back for tomorrow’s match against the side who lost 4-0 to Celtic on Wednesday and sit bottom of the SPL.

He will assess the fitness today of injured defender David Murphy, who aggravated a thigh injury in the 2-1 defeat to Dundee United in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden last weekend, with his replacement on Wednesday, skipper Ian Murray, starting a two-match ban against Livingston.

Mowbray added: "It would cause problems if David can’t play but we’ve had to face these dilemmas all season."

Meanwhile, the Hibs manager envisages midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin returning to light training on Monday after the Frenchman returned from a trip to Paris to see a specialist over his ankle injury.

The 25-year-old has been struggling with the knock since December but Mowbray is still hopeful the former Le Havre player will be able to play some part in the remaining six games. He explained: "Guillaume will maybe start running on Monday and then kicking the ball later in the week.

"It may be ten days or so before we can assess him but we’ll then see about putting him on the bench and look at getting him playing a part in this season."

Taken from the Scotsman