Collins urges Easter Road men to attack

BRAVE need not always mean foolhardy. John Collins insists Hibernian should have only one tactic at Easter Road tonight and that is to play on the front foot, so out of step with each other are the Celtic backline.

The Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-final, explains Collins, is one for Hibs to attack because he is not entirely convinced Celtic can defend properly just now. “Celtic are conceding, Hibs are scoring, so it’ll be interesting,” he smiled.

Being the last Hibernian manager to win a trophy, this same competition in 2007, is a proud line on Collins’ CV, but one he would be more than happy to remove for the sake of the Edinburgh club gaining some repeat success. Results have eluded Colin Calderwood for much of the past year, but there is pressure on Neil Lennon, his Celtic counterpart, too, and that is the mindset Collins feels must be adopted by Hibs: don’t worry about them, just make them nervous. “There’s no point in Hibs being cagey and just sitting back,” said Collins. “Hibs need to fly out the traps and try to get the first goal. Hopefully Colin will be brave and go for it. They’ve got to attack the Celtic weakness which is the back four. Celtic have got so many centre-halves, but they’re all of a similar standard. That’s resulted in Neil Lennon searching for that perfect combination that won’t make mistakes. They’ve all had average performances at times and that makes it difficult for him.”

Hibs have been accused of having an over-reliance on the goals of Garry O’Connor, but Collins makes no apology for suggesting the forward as the most likely to capitalise on any sorry defending from the visitors.

Collins’ own timeline did not coincide with O’Connor’s previous Hibs stint, but last month they were direct on-field opponents during Ian Murray’s testimonial. O’Connor scored a hat-trick in that game and Collins, playing for the Legends against the current Hibs team, reluctantly admits he was the one detailed to prevent him doing so in a match which finished 5-5. “When you’re the fans’ favourite they don’t give you stick, they cheer you which gives you confidence as a player and I think Garry is enjoying that, being the main man, the kingpin,” said Collins. “I played against him in that testimonial. He was in my area as I was playing in front of the back four and I saw his movement. I saw what he did with the ball at his feet. He’s a direct player who knows where the goal is which is what you want as a striker. I never really saw him at Hibs first time around because I was out of the country, but he looked hungry to score even in a testimonial. He had an appetite to try and get shots off.”

Collins lasted 14 months as Hibs manager before resigning the post apparently disappointed at what little he was given to reinvest of money made from the sale of players like Scott Brown, Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson.

If there is a part of football Collins plainly doesn’t pine for it is the politics. “I miss aspects of the job,” he said, “but not others. I don’t miss the hassle. We won the League Cup and you always hope you can build on it, but when you’re manager of Hibs you’re always going to lose your best players as soon as the first bid comes in. Very rarely will you have continued success. That’s the reality of the situation because Hibs don’t have a sugar daddy owner. The club lives off what it brings in so can’t afford to keep players, but we had a good group and winning the trophy remains a special memory.”

Collins did return to management for a short stint at Belgian club, Charleroi, but has been without a position since the summer of 2009. He claims still to be looking for a way back in, but only if it is a route he feels will lead somewhere worthwhile. “I’m happy in my daily life, but I miss the adrenaline rush of management,” he added. “Every now and then I get phone calls asking if I’m interested in this or that, but the right one hasn’t come up yet. I vowed I wouldn’t go back unless it was working with people who wanted to build something and who I could trust 100 per cent. I’ve turned down some jobs, but there are no regrets. It’s about running a club the way I want to.”

l Collins was speaking after the Bank of Scotland Midnight League Player of the Year event at Hampden. Bank of Scotland Midnight League is a free diversionary football programme delivered across all 32 local authorities in Scotland, aimed at boys and girls aged 12-16.