Stubbs anxious about missing out on Hibs targets

NEW Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs admits he dare not turn off his phone - in case he misses out on a star signing.

By The Newsroom Wednesday, 2nd July 2014, 10:00 am

Alan Stubbs

The former Celtic and Everton defender is eight days into his new post after quitting as the Toffees Under-21 coach to move to Easter Road.

But the 42-year-old says he has noticed a stark change in pace already as he sets about rebuilding the relegated Leith outfit.

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And the new head coach admits he is so worried about losing out on one of his top transfer targets, that it is costing him sleep.

Stubbs - whose side were paired with Rangers in the first round of the Petrofac Training Cup when the draw was made at Easter Road on Tuesday - said: “At Everton, I was very much the boss of the youths and had the same structure that I’ve got here.

“I had my own goalkeeping coach, my own sports scientist, kitman, physio. I had my own team and I was in control.

“The one thing I didn’t have was that pressure resting all on my shoulders that you only get with managing a first-team. I would go home at 5pm and put my feet up.

“Now I start at 7am, get home late and don’t settle down until I’m asleep. I’m constantly getting emails and calls about players. But I want that.

“But I’m very conscious of the fact that the one call I don’t take might be the player I want and end up missing out on him.

“So I’m scared to turn my phone off right now. I think I’ve got a bit of a problem.”

Hibs have lost 15 players since former manager Terry Butcher failed to prevent them sliding into the Championship.

That means Stubbs takes over a first-team with little more than a dozen recognised faces ahead of Saturday’s first pre-season friendly with Vale of Leven.

But he has told the Edinburgh club’s faithful not to worry.

“We’re making strides,” he said. “We have had a lot of emails and calls from agents putting players forward to us, so that takes time.

“The one thing we have to be careful of is not just bringing players in for the sake of it because they have a well-known name.

“That’s the one thing I will not do. If it means me taking a week longer to make sure they are the right fit then I will do that.

“But the fans should know that they will be seeing positive news in the next week, definitely.

“I know sometimes they want to see players come in straight away but if they could see the due diligence we are putting in behind the scenes, then I think they would be quite happy.”

And the former Hoops defender is taking the same patient approach with his search for a new assistant.

He said: “It’s going well. I think the club will be in a position to name someone over the next couple of days.

“The most important thing is getting the people that I want in rather than rushing and moving onto targets that are not necessarily my top picks.

“But I’m very confident of bringing my number-one choice of staff in.”

Stubbs eyes Everton starlets to boost Hibs

HIBERNIAN manager Alan Stubbs has revealed he could raid former club Everton in a bid to take the Goodison Park side’s top young talent on loan.

Stubbs, who coached the Toffees’ Under-21 side, is set to bring fellow ex-Blues coach Andy Holden to Hibs as his assistant and is hopeful of maintaining ties with Everton in order to benefit Hibs.

He told the Liverpool Echo that he was hopeful of taking some of his former charges to Easter Road to further their development.

He added: “Roberto [Martinez, Everton boss] knows exactly how I want to play.