Finn Jarkko Wiss returned to watch Hibs and left pleased youth still drives club

Much has changed at Easter Road since Jarkko Wiss last pulled on a green-and-white shirt. But one thing has remained exactly as he remembers, Hibs' ability to produce a seemingly endless stream of up-and-coming stars.

When the former Finnish internationalist plied his trade in Edinburgh, it was the likes of Ian Murray, Tam McManus, Steven Whittaker, Garry O'Connor and Derek Riordan, who were catching the eye.

Among those a couple of years behind them were Scott Brown, Kevin Thomson and Steven Fletcher, names Wiss recalls with ease, delighted to have watched their progress and to know that in some small way he helped set them on the path to stardom.

Today, while he may be less well acquainted with the names, Colin Calderwood's Hibs have a familiar look for the 38-year-old, a side packed with promising home-grown talent.

As such Wiss looked on approvingly as he watched his old club in action for the first time since quitting Easter Road for a return to Finland six years ago, delighted to see them make it five wins in a row by beating SPL basement outfit Hamilton Accies.

While that particular statistic might be impressive enough, Hibs managing five straight league wins for the first time since the end of 2005, Wiss admitted he was taken by the performances of skipper Paul Hanlon, David Wotherspoon and Callum Booth, all the product of the club's much-envied youth system.

"Wow," was Wiss' response on being informed the 2-1 win over Accies was only 19-year-old Booth's eighth first team start, before adding: "He was outstanding.

"In some ways he reminded me of Ian Murray as he broke into the team, making those long runs with the ball at his feet. I was really impressed by his courage in being so willing to go one-on-one.

"It is always a good sign when you can get players from your own area and academy. Hibs should be proud of their work with young players. The fact they now have their own training centre which they can use 24 hours a day, seven days a week if they like, will also make a huge difference.

"One of the biggest problems we had during my time with Hibs was not knowing where you were going to train virtually from day to day which sometimes meant the quality of training wasn't that good."

Even so, as Wiss acknowledged, Hibs managed to keep the conveyor belt of young talent running at full throttle. He said: "When I was at the club there were quite a number breaking through while Kevin Thomson, Scott Brown and Steven Fletcher were that wee bit younger.

"They were all young and enthusiastic although they didn't show too much respect for the old boys. But they really lit things up at the club and it's been brilliant to see them all do so well.

"It's always nice to see someone like Scott Brown progress and now be the captain of Celtic and a regular for Scotland."

Wiss, who was Franck Sauzee's first signing as Hibs boss, has had the chance to re-acquaint himself with Brown this week having been an interested spectator at Celtic's Lennoxtown training centre as he pursues his UEFA Pro Licence as a coach.

And he was delighted to discover his visit not only coincided with Hibs' rearranged clash with Hamilton but last night's explosive Old Firm Scottish Cup replay at Celtic Park which he took in before flying home today. Now manager of his hometown club Tampere United in the Veikkausliga, Wiss said: "It was nice to see some Scottish football live again after such a long time.

"I came over on Monday for a couple of days with Celtic thanks to John Park and I was delighted to discover my schedule coincided not only with the Old Firm game but that Hibs match at Hamilton had been rearranged for Tuesday night giving me the chance to catch up with a few people.

"I managed to have a quick word with Rod Petrie and some of the other directors before the game.

"I can't say I've followed Hibs on a daily basis but I have watched a couple of matches on-line so I was aware they've been struggling a bit this season.

"But it's good to know they seem to have turned the corner and have been winning again in recent weeks.

"I enjoyed the game at Hamilton, I thought Hibs were the better team throughout the game and deserved the three points.

"It was also good to see Derek scoring and Ian coming on to play his part."

Wiss, who became manager of Tampere in October, succeeding long time head coach Ari Hjelm, revealed he'll be very much following the Hibs way of doing things in that he sees his team's future being based on home-grown youngsters.

He said: "I retired from playing in 2007 and I've worked as a youth coach and sporting director for Tampere and also coached Finland's youth international teams.

"Being from Tampere I feel a responsibility as manager of the club. The former coach had been there for seven or eight years so I'm looking to change things a bit.

"I'm happy but I also feel I am repaying some sort of debt in trying to help young boys progress in the game. I have a young squad, the average age is just over 22 so I am trying to do the same, not just as Hibs but at a number of clubs in having players from my own area who show the right spirit, boys who have potential, starting them gradually rather than putting them straight into the big games."