Berwick Rangers 0-4 Hibernian: Combe to arrive

FORMER Hearts goalkeeping coach Alan Combe is set to join Hibernian after taking his place in the away dugout for their comfortable 4-0 win over Berwick Rangers, writes Alan Temple at Shielfield Park.

Hibernian manager Alan Stubbs urges his side on from the dugout. Picture: Gordon Fraser

Combe, released by Hearts following Ann Budge’s successful takeover, oversaw the warm-up of young stoppers Keiton Perntreou and Sean Brennan, and has agreed to join Alan Stubbs’ back-room staff.

Stubbs also did not rule out the prospect of registering the 40-year-old as a player, with the Hibees currently without a recognised senior goalkeeper.

Combe was alongside Andy Holden on the Shielfield sidelines, with the former Everton coach on the verge of also joining the club.

“We will have news soon that Alan will be coming in and will be our goalkeeping coach, which is great for us,” explained Stubbs.

“I wouldn’t rule out registering Alan as a player. I think if he is willing and able to do that for us then we would be foolish not to register him. There is a real possibility of that.”

And the new-look coaching staff were treated to a dominant display in the Borders, lit up by an energetic first-half performance, and goal, by Stubbs’ first summer signing David Gray. After 17 minutes the former Manchester United defender won the ball from Dean Hoskins with a ferocious tackle before surging forward and thrashing the opening goal past Billy Bald from 25 yards.

Trialist Luke Coulson replaced Gray at half-time, with the visitors going on to register a handsome win.

Liam Craig made the game safe with a spot-kick on the hour mark before gloss was added to the scoreline by youngsters Tom Gardiner and Lewis Allan.