John Collins is the pick of the bunch

EVENTS in the capital in the past few days have certainly made this afternoon's first Edinburgh derby of the season a novel affair. Over the past two campaigns, the constant on these occasions has been Tony Mowbray in the Hibernian dug-out. He practically faced a different opposite number each time the great rivals met until Valdas Ivanauskas's elevation to Hearts head coach.

In the wake of Tony moving to West Bromwich Albion, the roles are now reversed. And even if there is a degree of continuity in the fact that his assistant, Mark Venus, will be guiding Hibs for the afternoon, the upheaval presents a challenge for a young Easter Road squad today.

Ensuring that the effective brand of silky football the big Englishman introduced continues to be developed down Leith way will provide the ultimate test of judgment for the club's directors, meanwhile.

Maybe it does Tony a disservice to say that the Hibs board got lucky in him proving such a success despite the fact he had only previously been a first-team coach. But going for the untried simply has to add to the risks inherent in any new managerial appointment. I was an inexperienced manager when given the Hibs post and the size of the club and extensive nature of the remit left me gasping.

That might initially seem to count against the club turning to a complete novice such as John Collins. It was inevitable he would be one of a number of former Hibees that would be linked with a post Venus appears to have distanced himself from. But I would see John as a front runner because he is Mowbray-like in so many respects. He shares a similar philosophy on the game and has the intelligence and personality to impart his beliefs to players.

He enjoyed an outstanding playing career not least because he was ahead of his time in recognising the importance of fitness and dietary requirements. Through his stint at Monaco and spell in England with Fulham and Everton, he will have extensive contacts and knowledge of the playing scene. What he won't have is a genuine grasp of what is required on a day-to-day basis to run a football club. That is where an experienced right-hand man would be a necessity.

Strong cases can also be made for Mixu Paatelainen at Cowdenbeath and unabashed lover of the Leith club and Falkirk manager John Hughes to be considered for the Hibs vacancy, while Nottingham Forest first-team coach Ian McParland, Edinburgh-born and another Hibee, is another whose name has been thrown into the mix. Ian certainly has bags of coaching experience in England and would be capable of unearthing players in the manner that Mowbray did with such as David Murphy and Chris Killen.

It could well be that Ian's name was put forward by Tony. He will know him from coaching get-togethers down south and will have paid close attention to his efforts as Forest caretaker last season, which were responsible for hauling the club up from the relegation zone and into contention for the play-offs.

Mixu and Yogi Hughes have also transformed their respective clubs in earning promotion. Yogi twice won the First Division and, after keeping Falkirk up with a bit to spare in their first season in the Premierleague, he is now wedding a hard-nosed approach to a passing game and is pushing the club on with a talented young squad. Again good contacts down south have been important.

It is very different to assess managerial abilities when you are working at a lower level as Mixu has been doing with distinction at Cowdenbeath. Craig Levein proved, though, that you could step-up directly from this environment and work minor miracles in Edinburgh top-flight football. It disappoints me that Craig wouldn't entertain the Hibs job because he is not long out of the same role at Tynecastle - I believe he should be operating at a club of the Leith side's standing.

John Robertson, also a former Hearts player and manager, will believe the same of himself. As a life-long Hibs fan, he might consider his career past wouldn't prove as unpalatable to the club faithful. I'm sure he will also think that greater attention should be paid to his success at Inverness and the impressive rebuilding working he is overseeing currently at Livingston.

I am surprised that Gus MacPherson's name hasn't been mentioned in connection with Hibs. My St Mirren supporting neighbour will probably fall out with me for saying so, but Gus deserves to be considered because he is proved to be one of our brightest young managerial talents. With the tightest of budgets, he has not only restored St Mirren to top-flight status and won them the Challenge Cup, but also placed them among the leading points-gatherers in the early months of the current SPL campaign. In terms of others, someone such as Paul Sturrock, whose efforts with Plymouth, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday tend not to be given the respect they deserve, could come into contention.

Hibs chairman Rod Petrie will have no doubt considered the merits of all these men, and many more besides. But I have a feeling the profile and regard for John Collins within the game and among the Hibs faithful could make him difficult to resist. And pairing him with such as Mixu or Ian McParland would offset the fact that he has yet to put his coaching qualifications to the test. Hibs, mind you, are a difficult club to read. Mowbray's entirely unheralded arrival at Easter Road demonstrated that.

Taken from the Scotsman