Venus takes bow for Mowbray era

HIBS yesterday waved goodbye to the last vestiges of the Tony Mowbray era perhaps the only way they knew how; by show-casing spells of the kind of attractive football he espoused but also displaying the defensive fragility that so bedeviled the popular former manager's tenure.

Mark Venus, his soon-to-exit assistant, saluted the Easter Road crowd at the final whistle and later made it clear that he was not wishing to be included in the list of candidates in contention to be named Mowbray's successor. Although it is not yet a finalised deal, he is expected to join up with his friend at West Bromwich Albion later this week.

He will be able to inform Mowbray that his influence was felt as Hibs sparkled in a devastating opening spell of football. But Venus might also deliver him the bad news; the attacking football again counted for little as defensive collapses sabotaged the home side's bid for victory. They remain outside the top six this morning as a consequence after 90 minutes that Venus said summed up the Mowbray era, and helped show why there has been nothing tangible to show for their efforts over the last 28 months.

Two goals in front and apparently coasting to victory, the Hibs goalkeeper Zibi Malkowski made a critical error of judgement to come for a cross at the edge of his own penalty box and allowed Hearts back into the game. In the second half the Pole was again at fault as the Tynecastle side, by now down to ten men, sourced an unlikely equaliser.

"It was an up and down game after a perfect start," said Venus. "It probably epitomised our time at the football club. We conceded two let's say very stoppable goals."

Although he didn't point the finger directly at Malkowski, earlier, in a television interview, Venus had referred to his goalkeeper as having made a "bad decision". He expressed the hope that Malkowski could go on to prove himself at the club, but that is not now Venus' concern. He and Mowbray are responsible only for the recent past, and he lamented the fact they were not able to give the fans a trophy amid all the plaudits Hibs' stylish play garnered.

"Of course it's frustrating," Venus said. "[Today's mistakes] cost us points. It's a trait that has been with us for the two-odd years we have been here. The bottom line is that it's probably one of the reasons we haven't finished our time here with a bit of silverware.

"You go back through some of the bigger games we have had and we have probably conceded too many slack goals. What do you put it down to? Lack of experience? I don't know. But that's been the end product too often."

It was an agonising way to say farewell to the Easter Road faithful but Venus was granted a generous reception as he saluted the fans from the pitch at the end. The supporters perhaps saw this as the only time they could exhibit their appreciation for Mowbray's efforts at the club, and his determination to see the side play football in an expressive manner.

With his sudden bolt down south last week, the pleasant task of receiving the applause of several thousand Hibs fans fell to Venus. When he will be able to transmit these good vibes to Mowbray is still not clear, with Venus admitting that although he would "probably" end up at The Hawthorns, nothing definite had been agreed. It is, though, likely he will be in place next to Mowbray in time for this weekend's Black Country derby against Wolves, one of Venus' former teams.

"All I know is that I won't be applying for the job here," said Venus. "The first stage was to get today's game out of the way and try to stabilise the club a little bit. It never really got to the stage of me being asked to apply for the job. At this stage of my career it probably wasn't right for me.

"I wish the next guy all the best. It's a forward-looking football club. The players are looking for someone to look them in the eye. They know they can compete in this league. But they are looking for direction, and someone to take them on."

John Park, the club's youth academy director, also ruled himself out of the running, reasoning that he had enough jobs to do already. But Venus gave his backing to first-team coach Mark Proctor, a name which has emerged as a strong contender for the post over the weekend.

"I don't know what Mark's thoughts on the issue are as I have not really spoken with him, but I can't see why not," he said. "His CV corresponds with Tony's CV when Tony took over. I don't see too many differences. But I don't select the manager of the football club. That's why these guys get paid decent money because they have to make tough decisions. Let's hope they get it right."

Taken from the Scotsman