Coach forced to quit Hibees

The 41-year-old has undergone a series of operations on his left knee after rupturing his posterior cruciate ligament while playing for Scotland's Under-17 side against France in 1981.

Only two years ago he had major surgery to "realign" his left leg in the hope it would "buy" him a further ten years before he needed a further operation.

But now a specialist has delivered the devastating news that Westwater must give up coaching and seek a more sedentary job as soon as possible.

Today he said: "I've been a professional footballer for 26 years, it's not only my life, my hobby and everything in between, but my livelihood so that when someone says that you cannot carry on it is a major blow.

"When you get news like that you can do one of two things, sit back and become depressed about it or do what I have done, be positive.

"I've had 26 years in the game and few people can say that. I've been very fortunate and I can honestly say I have enjoyed every second of it.

"I've always been bothered by my knee since suffering that original injury and I've had to be very careful with it. It's not stopped me doing anything although there have been a few operations.

"But it has been causing me a bit of gyp since the start of the season, I spoke to the club doctor and physio who referred me to a surgeon at Murrayfield Hospital.

"He had done some of the operations on me so he knew my knee well and I had some tests and X-rays but the biggest factor was the severity of what they call nocturnal pain.

"I don't just coach the goalkeepers but train them, all the physical stuff, and as each day wore on the pain became greater and I was suffering a lot at night. To cut a long story short, the surgeon told me he wasn't talking about me retiring at the end of the season but to find another job as soon as possible, that certainly brought home the severity of it all."

Hibs boss Tony Mowbray and chairman Rod Petrie were just as devastated when Westwater, who has been goalkeeping coach at Easter Road for five years after a career which spanned spells with Hearts, Dunfermline (twice) and Falkirk, broke the bad news to them.

Westwater said: "The club have been fantastic. The first thing talked about was what the club could do to help and how I could look after myself as far as future employment is concerned."

Westwater will continue in his current job as he seeks alternative employment but Hibs have agreed to grant him a testimonial "in principle" although he has been with the club for only five years as opposed to the more normal ten.

Contact has been made with Dunfermline, where Westwater spent 14 years, with a three-year break at Brockville, and Pars chairman John Yorkston has promised whatever help he can.

A testimonial committee chaired by Westwater's former Dunfermline team-mate David Young has also been set up.

Mowbray said: "Ian is going to be a sad loss to this football club, not just as our goalkeeping coach but someone who brings a lot more to our football staff - he's a great personality.

"It's come as something of a shock to everyone and it is disappointing because Ian is an integral part of the team."

HIBS fans planning to travel to the Ukraine to back the Easter Road side in Thursday's UEFA Cup second leg were today told they have until 5 pm on Monday to buy their tickets.

Around 1000 Hibs fans are expected to make the 3600-mile round-trip to support their side against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

There wil be no cash gate at the Meteor Stadium where Hibs will be hoping to reach the lucrative group stage of the competition, having drawn the first leg 0-0.

While most fans making the arduous journey have already bought their tickets, priced 6, Hibs are anxious to point out that any last-minute travellers must do so in advance.