Shaun Maloney invited Hibs greats Pat Stanton and Paul Kane to lunch with the current Easter Road squad yesterday in a bid to inspire them ahead of tonight’s Edinburgh derby.
And the Hibees manager has vowed to continue to ask legends of the past to join them as he tries to re-establish links that he believes have been lost over the course of time.
Maloney is adamant that Stanton and Kane weren’t at the Tranent HQ to beat the drum ahead of the visit of Hearts tonight but their presence provided a timely boost after the weekend loss to Livingston.
He said: “I invited quite a few ex-players into the training ground this week and I’ve been really pleased they accepted the invitation. Pat Stanton and Paul Kane, we had today at training.
“I enjoyed listening to the stories they had on their positive experiences – and less positive experiences.
“That’s definitely something we’ll try to carry on, not just for derby games but for every game.
“The more ex-players, who have achieved great things for our club, that are around the better. That connection was maybe lost in the last few years.
“But it coincided with the derby game, so it was good timing.
“My players have been really respectful. These guys have amazing history at the club.
“I’ve had Pat here quite a lot but it was nice to see Paul Kane.
“It was just really listening to their experiences and it wasn’t just about the derby game. With some of the managers they’ve played under, it was also quite interesting to hear their experiences as players here.
“This club has got amazing moments in its history and we have to embrace them and celebrate them, and they have to be a part of the club for a long time.”
Maloney, who will be sampling an Edinburgh derby for the first time on Tuesday night, is looking to put down a marker that his club is capable of closing the gap between the two capital clubs.
He said: “The intensity of the game is obviously higher because of the crowd.
“It’s completely different to a normal game. You see that in many derbies, not just in this country.
“So that brings a speed or physicality to the game from the start that we have to prepare for but there are still some of the same basics and foundations you have to do in every other game.
“We have to try to play through the pressure as much as possible and we have to defend and be as strong defensively as we were before the Livingston game. We have to be like that against Hearts.
“I understand where the team was when I took over, where they are now, and where I expect to be. This time next season I expect to be in a very different place.
“ Hearts have been very strong this season – he’s done a good job, Robbie (Neilson), and over the next six to 12 months it’s my job to make sure we narrow that gap and fight like hell to make sure we’re fighting for that third spot next year.
“I understand that in derbies and cup finals results are the be-all and end-all. Before these games, and during them, as a coach you have to think about the performance in certain areas but the magnitude of the result obviously overrides most things.
“From a manager’s point of view you can’t always focus on the outcome but I understand how important this game is.”
