Alan Stubbs: Easter Road ‘fear factor’ returning

Hibernian head coach Alan Stubbs used to walk into Easter Road in his Celtic tracksuit knowing that it would require an almighty effort to emerge with three points to take back along the M8.

Hibs manager Alan Stubbs is enjoying an impressive home record this season. Picture: SNS Group

After years of underwhelming and occasionally disastrous showings under Colin Calderwood, Pat Fenlon and Terry Butcher culminating in relegation in 2014, he believes that fear factor is finally returning.

Hibs boast an unbeaten league record in the capital this season and have claimed two Premiership scalps on their way to the League Cup semi-finals, Dundee United on Wednesday night and Aberdeen in the previous round.

It could not be more different to the scene Stubbs surveyed when he succeeded Butcher, who had vowed to “bring back the bear pit” to Easter Road, before guiding them to relegation six months later.

Collecting his Championship manager of the month award at the club’s East Lothian training base yesterday, Stubbs said: “I think when I first came there was definitely that in their make-up, losing games, especially at home. That was not acceptable. Our home form wasn’t good enough and we wanted to turn Easter Road into a really tough place to come.

“I remember coming to Easter Road with Celtic and it was a difficult place to play. You know when as a player when you go away from home, and you go to a big club, when you walk in the door at the entrance and you’ll be in for a really tough game.

“I did not necessarily get that impression when I first came in and it has taken a bit of time. It was never going to happen instantly and the players have had to grow and deal with the pressures of being at home.

“I felt it had just become a place where teams looked forward to coming – we have managed to change that. I think our home record now is very good.”

Stubbs, however, is aware that his side “have achieved nothing yet” as he prepares to face St Mirren tomorrow. His work will not be complete until Hibs are a Premiership side once again.

“We are doing OK at this moment in time, but we haven’t achieved anything,” he said. “Ultimately, we are still five points behind Rangers and we don’t want that to be any further behind after this weekend.”