Ex-Hibee Doumbe reckons his MK Dons colleague will be a big hit at Easter Road

Mathias DOUMBE believes Sean O'Hanlon can be a father figure to Hibs' youngsters in just the same way Franck Sauzee helped nurse him through the early stages of his Easter Road career.

The French star has been a team-mate of O'Hanlon's for the past two seasons with English League One outfit MK Dons and reckons the 28-year-old, who is set to become Colin Calderwood's second signing of the summer, would be the perfect capture for his old club.

And, while O'Hanlon's name may be a touch unfamiliar to most Hibs supporters, Doumbe predicted he'll quickly become a firm favourite thanks to his exploits at both ends of the park.

Doumbe, who spent almost three years in Edinburgh after being signed by Alex McLeish from Paris St Germain, said: "I think it will be a great move for Sean and a great acquisition for Hibs.

"He's a big, strong and experienced defender who is more than capable of doing a solid job, I am confident he will do well.

"Perhaps people in Scotland won't know too much about him but he has done really well and obviously Colin Calderwood, with his experience in England has heard of him and is well aware of his capabilities."

Although at 6ft 3in tall and weighing in at 12st 5lb, O'Hanlon's attributes may appear obvious, Doumbe firmly believes there's much, much more to his old team-mate than just being a rugged, no-nonsense defender.

While O'Hanlon is more than capable of doing that side of the job, Doumbe said: "Sean will come up with some terrific blocks, no doubt about that, but he is also a very composed player, someone who isn't given to panicking because his positioning is always so good.

"He's a really good defender but he can also use the ball well and is very effective in the opposition penalty box. He can score goals as well as prevent them so in that regard he's a bit like Rob Jones."

Confident O'Hanlon can make an impact in a green and white jersey in his own right, Doumbe feels his influence will also be of benefit to Calderwood's young defenders, pointing out how at times last season Hibs' back four consisted of Richie Towell, David Stephens, Paul Hanlon and Callum Booth, a quartet which boasted an average age of just 20.

Scotland Under-21 skipper Hanlon, the oldest of the four, is likely to be O'Hanlon's partner in central defence, a combination which promises to be a commentator's nightmare but, Doumbe argued, the introduction of the new boy and his years of experience gained in a career which began with Everton will help Hibs' kids flourish.

Recalling his own introduction to life in Edinburgh, Doumbe insisted the influence of older heads such as Sauzee, Gary Smith, Paul Fenwick, Mixu Paatelainen and John O'Neil couldn't be underestimated.

He said: "I watch Hibs on television when I can and saw them play a few times last season. As always, they look as if they have youngsters capable of doing the job but it is a long, long season if you are relying on the same kids playing every week. It can become quite difficult for them and at times it looked to me as if they lacked a bit of maturity. They lost a lot of goals which obviously played a big part in what proved to be a very disappointing season.

"That's where you need experience, an older head to guide them along and talk them through matches and situations as they arise during the 90 minutes.

"It not only helps the team on matchdays but in the longer run helps the youngsters. The more experience you get the better a player you become but having guys like Sean out there with them can only help that process along.

"I'm sure Sean will help them become stronger at the back and that, hopefully, should help Hibs enjoy a much better season. He's big, powerful and very focused and will, I am sure, prove to be a great asset to the team but so, too, will his experience prove very beneficial in developing the careers of the youngsters at Easter Road.

"I remember when I arrived at Hibs. Although I wasn't as young as some of the guys who are in the team at the moment I was still the youngest and coming from another country it took a bit of time to settle in, the different style of play and, of course, the language.

"But that is where the senior pros, the guys with all the experience of big Franck, Mixu and so on was terrific for me both on and off the park. Once I settled in I started getting my game and I really enjoyed my time at Hibs."

If Doumbe, who spent five years with Plymouth Argyle before moving to Milton Keynes, had initial problems adapting to life in Edinburgh and to Scottish football, he insisted O'Hanlon will have no worries on either count.

He said: "The SPL is pretty physical, but so too, is League One so that won't scare Sean in any way. He'll be able to handle himself and I'm sure he'll be relishing the challenge and looking forward to playing at places like Ibrox and Celtic Park.

"I know some people may question the fact he's come from League One but I honestly believe that in Scotland you don't appreciate the standard of football and I'm sure plenty will be surprised by the quality of player Hibs have signed."