Cregg sees Latapy magic in Zemmama

Published on Tuesday 21 July 2009 09:46

HIBS new boy Patrick Cregg today predicted Merouane Zemmama will light up the Easter Road crowd just as Russell Latapy once did.

The Irish midfielder played alongside the "little magician" as his illustrious career wound down at Falkirk but already he can see similarities in the Moroccan ace.

Zemmama had thousands of Hibs supporters on their feet at East End Park as he pulled on a green-and-white shirt for the first time in almost a year following his sojourn on loan to the Middle East.

And today Cregg, one of three signings so far by new boss John Hughes, admitted he was just as bedazzled by the North African star's skills during the 60 minutes Zemmama enjoyed as he helped steer Hibs to a 4-0 victory over Dunfermline. He said: "There's lots of similarities between Zouma and Russell. Like Russell he's a very intelligent player, he likes to get on the ball which is the bravest thing to do in football – his ability is frightening.

"He's a delight to play with, give him the ball and he'll do something with it. He's the sort of player that if you are under the cosh you know he'll take the ball and give you a bit of a breather.

"Again, like Russell, Zouma isn't the tallest of players. We'd all like to be big, strong players but unfortunately we aren't all born like that. People think guys like them can easily be kicked off the ball but height doesn't matter if you are smart enough to get into areas where you can give yourself a yard.

"Although he's not the biggest he's a tough wee character who isn't easily knocked off the ball, he's fortunate to be gifted both in the head and feet, a very talented player. I'd played against Zouma for Falkirk and saw how he got the fans on their feet and it was the same again on Saturday, you just feel so grateful to be given the opportunity to play alongside players of his quality."

Zemmama was given a standing ovation from a huge travelling support as he made way for teenager David Wotherspoon following a performance which manager Hughes described as "outstanding".

But what also stood out for former Arsenal kid Cregg was the size of the Hibs support, estimated at some 3500 as Pars officials were forced to delay kick-off for 15 minutes and open a further section of the ground to accommodate them all.

He said: "I couldn't believe it when the ref came in and told us the game was being held up to let the fans in, it's not something you expect in a pre-season friendly.

"There was a real buzz about the place and the boys certainly appreciated so many making the trip. I knew Hibs were a big club but it's only when you join it and see so many fans that you realise just how big it really is.

"Now it is up to us all to work as hard as we can and try to do our best for the supporters and the club."

Cregg and his team-mates certainly earned plus marks from the fans who enjoyed the brand of football which Hughes had promised on his return to the club a few weeks ago although, as he insisted, no-one should lose sight of the fact the game was only part of the preparations for the coming season. As such, Cregg was the only Hibs player to last the 90 minutes as Hughes used 21 players but, again, he was adamant nothing should be read into that fact. He said: "It was nice to get the full match. It was a good win and you always want to win, but the most important thing is we all worked hard on and off the ball."

And in scoring four goals, two for Colin Nish and one each for Derek Riordan and Jonatan Johansson, Cregg felt Hughes' side had sent an important message to their supporters following the loss of Scotland striker Steven Fletcher to English Premier League newcomers Burnley.

He said: "We scored four quality goals against Dunfermline and while some people may have focused on Steven Fletcher leaving, I feel we are blessed with a number of very good strikers. Colin has been looking very sharp in training and took his goals well. He's a terrific target man for us. Derek had his spell at Celtic and returned to be top scorer at Hibs last season because he can finish from anywhere while JJ is a Finnish internationalist who also had time with Rangers and in England. Then there's young Kurtis Byrne, a good lad, a good professional who is working hard. He definitely has a future if he keeps doing that and progressing as he is at the minute.

"Danny Galbraith is another youngster who's come in from Manchester United and looks as if he could go on to be anything for Hibs. We certainly have a lot of talented players at this club, many of them young players and I am sure the manager will get the very best out of all of us."

Like Cregg, Hughes was well pleased with the afternoon's work and although he stressed there was still much work to be done, he detected signs his players are quickly picking up the style of play he and his assistant Brian Rice are intent on introducing with the emphasis on getting people forward into dangerous areas.

He said: "We have a system we feel can rotate all over the place. It's initially a 4-3-3 but I like to see our full-backs bomb on and virtually become wingers while the sitting midfielder acts as a front sweeper, but when we need to be defensive it can become a 4-5-1. But it doesn't happen overnight, it's back to the classroom to educate them on it."