Fans chief Riley urges Hibs not to appoint Easter Road hero

Riley, chairman of the Hibs Supporters' Association, has watched as John Collins, Mixu Paatelainen and Hughes have all taken the managerial hot-seat in quick succession, each arriving full of hope only to depart within two years.

While Collins did enjoy the glory of leading Hibs to their 2007 CIS Insurance Cup triumph, he quit months later, his successor Paatelainen lasting only a year-and-a-half while Hughes was boss for barely 16 months before parting company with the club.

Fans' idol Franck Sauzee got the chop after a mere 69 days as manager in 2002 having won just one game in 15 while, Riley recalled, Easter Road legend Pat Stanton and former defender John Blackley didn't enjoy the best of fortunes during the 1980s.

Today Riley, while revealing he was personally saddened to see Hughes go, believing that despite a record of one win in ten matches so far this season, Yogi should have been given a little more time to turn things around, admitted the majority of Hibs fans agreed with the decision.

But, as the club's search for a replacement is well underway and another former player, Michael O'Neill, being mentioned as a possible successor to Hughes prompted by the success he has enjoyed with Dublin club Shamrock Rovers, Riley believes it is time for a break with the past.

While Hibs chairman Rod Petrie made clear to the club's annual general meeting that being a former player wasn't a prerequisite for potential applicants, Riley said: "John lived and breathed Hibs and it's unfortunate another great servant of the club is leaving in a disappointing fashion.

"How many times are we going to have to endure this happening to someone who has been a hero as a player?

"This time I don't think we should be going for another former player, anyone who has played for us should be given a wide berth.

"I feel sorry for John, I still think he will go on and do well, he is that sort of character. Personally I thought he would have got a wee bit longer, at least to the Kilmarnock game, the chance to win that one and have something to build on.

"However, the majority of fans who were around the club on Saturday night after that defeat by St Johnstone and again on Sunday seemed happy with the decision. They just wanted to see the back of him, not through anything personal but his record. If that had carried on relegation would have been a worry."

The international break has given Hibs some breathing space before Killie, now under the charge of Paatelainen, visit Easter Road a week on Saturday, but while Petrie has stated it isn't imperative Hibs have a new manager in place by then - stressing getting the right candidate was of greater importance - Riley admitted opinion was divided on who should be the successor to Hughes.

Again speaking personally, he said: "Perhaps Billy Reid of Hamilton, while Derek McInnes has done a great job at St Johnstone. I don't suppose we could tempt Tony Mowbray back so we have to hope Rod Petrie can pull something out of the hat again."