Mixu arrives all clued up

NO-ONE could accuse Mixu Paatelainen of coming in blind. The new Hibs manager knows what he is getting into. After two playing stints at the club, he knows Hibs and he has discussed current finances and ambitions.

Most of all he is realistic enough to recognise it remains a stepping stone rather than an end destination for many and rather than bemoan the apparently-imminent loss of key players, he is pragmatic. In fact, more than that, he is proactive and has said he would prefer to see any departing player leave now rather than on the final day of the transfer window.

"I would obviously like to keep our best players, of that there's no doubt, but on the other hand I don't want to stand in their way if they want to spread their wings on a bigger stage. It's all about progress in football. You want to try bigger things and I understand that. I don't think you can stop that but at the same time I want to keep the side competitive and able to win every game. It's not entirely in my hands whether we can keep every player at the club but it would be helpful to have the time to replace if need be."

Having moved up another rung of the managerial ladder, from Cowdenbeath to TPS Turku to Hibs, failing to see out contracts, the former Finnish international striker empathises with those striving to better themselves professionally.

"Coaches come and go and it's the same with players, they go on to bigger things. People pop up in the lower leagues and they develop and then one or two years later they move on. That's the natural progression and it happens all the time."

But he is unperturbed. He has been in the game long enough to know that life at Hibs will go on.

Money is available to bring in additions to the squad, according to both manager and chief executive Rod Petrie, with any transfer money taken in this month likely to bolster that position. But while feelers are out, the cult hero as a player admits he won't be hasty.

"I want to give every player the chance to show me what they can do and then after that I will know whether we need to strengthen or not. We do have loads of youngsters and there are also players on the wings, kicking their heels and really ready to step forward. It would be helpful if I did have time to assess the situation and maybe strengthen the area where you know you have been weakened."

Knowing where you stand is important according to Paatelainen. As he mulls over the various contributing components in the recent run of poor form he pinpoints instability as a pivotal problem. "There are many factors. John (Collins] leaving must have been a big blow to some players that he had just brought in, there have been injuries and a lot of speculation about players leaving and a lot of speculation about the manager, a new training ground, which can be a strange situation for players. There has been a lot happening and a lot of talking and things on players' minds. I can see that has been unsettling. Hopefully players now have peace of mind and really start pulling their socks up and getting on with the hard work."

Since his introduction on Thursday there has been a reemergence of an effervescence which has been notably absent in recent weeks.

Even tales of his time at Easter Road have brought a smile to the squad. "I've only heard good things about the manager and I'm sure a lot of the fans can relate to him and will be happy that he's been appointed," said Chris Hogg. "I think it's a positive day and one that can take the football club forward.

"To be honest I didn't know a lot about him but I've heard stories of his times with Hibs and know he was a leader on the pitch and a goalscorer. He will bring leadership to the club, a lot of character and enthusiasm for the game and that can only be a positive thing.

"Tam McCourt, the groundsman, is a character himself and he always talks about the old days, laughs he used to have with certain players and what they used to get up to. We've heard a few stories about the gaffer being a wind-up merchant but I think everyone knows he's a good character and hopefully his mood and personality can lift the place because there's no doubt we needed lifting after the recent results we've had."

But making fans smile is nothing new to the big striker. A cult hero at many clubs, his stint at Bolton Wanderers even earned him a name check in Phoenix Nights, where Bolton comedian Peter Kay paid his own homage by framing him for prank calls. But Hibs supporters remember him for his cartwheel celebrations and goals. Three in particular.

Looking ahead to his first league match at the helm, against Hearts on Saturday, he feigns ignorance. "Who are we playing?" he tries to deadpan but the fan in him knows only too well who and what it means and the smile breaks free. "It's great. That's what you want. Players want to play those matches and coaches want to coach a team that is excited and looking forward to a match and with plenty of passion.

"I can't wait for that game," said the man with six derby goals to his credit and a record of three wins, three draws and five defeats thus far.

One of those victories was the 6-2 demolition of the city rivals in 2000. He is asked about his hat-trick in that match and whether watching it will form part of the big match build-up. "My son watches it almost daily but I won't be showing the team. TVs were black and white in those days!" he laughs.

With his enthusiasm, it's unlikely a DVD will be needed to imbue some positivity in his charges and reinstall belief in the supporters.

In a poll prior to his unveiling 70% of those questioned said they would have preferred John Hughes. A win over Hearts and he will have taken a big step towards that being forgotten.

"Squads always get a lift when a new manager comes in no matter what's happened in the past, the whole place lifts a few levels," said Hogg. "Results hurt and performances hurt and speaking personally the last few weeks have been very hurtful for me. It's not nice when you are playing in games and not picking up the results and not playing well.

"I know it hurts the fans as well so it can bring you down if things aren't going well. Any derby is one you want to win and there's no motivation needed as a player. It's a game you look forward to all season and we'll go there looking to put on a positive performance and hopefully get a result."

Regardless the speculation about departures. For the time being the only contract which matters is the four-and-a-half year one signed by Paatelainen. The last Hibs manager to last that long at the club was Alex Miller, but as Hibs fans are coming to realise, it's not who you lose, it's who you replace them with that matters.