LET'S BE GREEN GIANTS

SKIPPER Kevin Thomson last night insisted Hibs' big players must show there is life after Tony Mowbray.

Thomson admitted he had not expected the manager to quit to join West Brom so close to tomorrow's derby with Hearts.

And he believes that until a new boss is appointed, the likes of himself, Scott Brown and Michael Stewart must provide the squad with inspiration.

The 22-year-old admits Hibs' preparations for the Easter Road clash with the Jambos have been thrown into turmoil.

And he believes certain players will be looking to him for leadership in the same way Steven Pressley took the lead for Hearts during the Tynecastle club's upheaval on and off the pitch last season.

Thomson said: "Tony's departure will obviously affect the match as everybody is disappointed he has gone.

"But this is the time for everyone to stick together.

"It's also time for the club to turn to the strong characters in the dressing room and for them to stand up and be counted and keep the boys together.

"We can't go into the derby feeling sorry for ourselves and it's up to us to prove that there is life after Tony.

"Michael, Scott Brown are I are strong characters and the boys may turn to us for guidance and inspiration. Hopefully we can keep them on the straight and narrow.

"The likes of Mark Venus, Mark Proctor and John Park also have vital roles to play because they are coaching the side."

Thomson reckons the derby is perhaps the best match Hibs could have asked for to retain their focus and not allow themselves to wallow in self-pity.

Hearts had three different bosses in the dug-out for three different derby matches last season and Thommo admits it does not really matter who is in the technical area once the game starts.

But he knows caretaker boss Venus - Mogga's former assistant - is strong enough to lead the team.

Thomson said: "The boys will have the manager out of their heads and we will be solely focused on the game.

"It is a derby and we won't need anybody to boost us because for a game like that you run on pure adrenalin.

"I'm sure we will stick together and if we give it our best shot we can get a good result.

"There will be 17,500 punters making an incredible noise and when any manager comes out of the dug-out screaming and shouting it is hard to hear him.

"Sometimes you throw the boss a deaf ear anyway and just blame the noise of the crowd for not being able to understand instructions.

"Mark Venus is passionate about his football and has as much desire and love for the game as Tony.

"If he is the man giving instructions on Sunday then we will give him total respect and listen if he wants to tell us the right things to do."

Hibs have not lost a derby at Easter Road since November 2002 when Phil Stamp's last-minute goal handed Craig Levein's men a 2-1 win. But Hibs have lost their last two SPL games against Falkirk and St Mirren, whereas Hearts have won their last three against Motherwell, Aberdeen and Dundee United so current form favours Valdas Ivanauskas' men.

Thomson will skipper Hibs for the first time in a derby just 24 hours after celebrating his 22nd birthday - and he is demanding a victory from his teammates as a present.

He said: "People keep telling me that Hibs have a great record against Hearts at Easter Road in the past four seasons. These records are made to be broken but it's up to us to try to keep that excellent run going.

"When the whistle blows records, statistics and form go right out of the window and it becomes a 90-minute game of football.

"It feels like ages since I last played a game due to my suspension against St Mirren and the international week.

"It's my birthday on Saturday and as a born and bred Hibee it will be a fantastic honour to lead the side out for a derby and it will give me great personal satisfaction.

"It is up to the Hibs team to make this a derby and birthday weekend for me to remember or else it will be one to forget."

Taken from the Daily Record