I'm your Venus . . but I'm not hired

HIBS fans gorged on Tony Mowbray's every word like a dug eating beetroot.

Now the withdrawal symptoms are beginning to kick in after the Edinburgh derby, with Mark Venus unable to get back to Engerlund quickly enough.

"One Mark Venus," went the chant at Easter Road yesterday. Perhaps "One-game Venus" would have been more appropriate.

Wherever Mowbray was watching the game, he's likely to have exhaled a rather long sigh at the calamitous Hibs defending that made the Engerlund back line and goalkeeper look competent.

Mowbray had used his own footballing thesis to mould a free-flowing Hibs team over the last two seasons.

He had insisted on an attractive and entertaining approach with a side inherited from Bobby Williamson. Cinemas all over Leith cursed him for taking their custom.

Yet Mowbray's principle strength was that he wasn't Williamson.

He had a group of talented young players and he knew how to play them rather than trying to punt them in exchange for Bobby Mann.

He had a side "that would give Brazil a run for their money" according to Kenny, a Hibs mate. Admittedly, that discussion was held at three in the morning after heavy consumption of Hibs' sponsors' product.

Such a talented manager was never going to remain in Scotland long-term, although his departure last week still had quite a jolting effect on some. "Tony Mowbray appointed West Brom manager" read the yellow news ticker on Sky Sports News. Seconds later came Kenny's call: "Who d'ye think we'll get?" he asked. "Is Venus definitely goin' too?"

"Yes. Veritas," I replied.

"What? Have they lined up some Greek boy?"

Not only is Kenny and the rest of the Hibs support still getting used to the news, Edinburgh as a whole is wallowing in the turmoil brought by Mowbray's departure. Hearts fans, used to more madness and tantrums than Axl Rose's wife, are left wondering why their club is detached from all the disorder.

Vladimir Romanov is almost guaranteed to do something outrageous soon simply to regain a little of the media limelight. Something like apply for the Hibs job, that would suitably set a Lithuanian cat amongst the pigeons. And Vlad has been known to select a team or two in his time.

Some rejigging will be required at Tynecastle before next weekend after Saulius Mikoliunas' red card in yesterday's derby.

The Lithuanian is due to serve a one-game suspension causing him to miss Saturday's match with Kilmarnock, although I can't help wondering if Campbell Ogilivie will be moved to appeal the decision and request a longer ban.

That aside, the only topic that will be on Capital folk's lips over the coming days is who will be the new Hibs manager.

The Easter Road support want a big name to compensate for the loss of Mowbray, and in that respect perhaps Bobby Robson, Nevio Scala or Claudio Ranieri would suffice. All of them have a knowledge of Edinburgh, at least.

For what it's worth, I'll let you into a secret [a rare occurrence for me as normally I've blabbed to everybody by now].

My money's on a dream team partnership of John Collins and Tommy Craig for Hibs.

And for once I'm being serious.

Taken from the Scotsman