Hibs: Welcoming Billy Brown

Billy Brown is the new assistant manager at Hibs.

It's going to feel odd typing that for some time to come. Rumours had been swirling all week but it still came as a bit of a shock when the announcement was made.

That shouldn't really be the reaction.

Everything you've heard about Hibs v Aberdeen last Sunday is probably an understatement. It was horrific.

The problems at Easter Road have been well documented.

That Colin Calderwood appears to be struggling in the job is borne out by his record.

It's clear that the board now find themselves with their hands tied after their very public dismissal of offers for the manager's services in the summer.

And anyone who has seen Hibs so far this season will know that the team appears to be drifting aimlessly from bad performance to bad performance.

All that would make the addition of an experienced assistant - a situation vacant since the brief Derek Adams experiment ended - seem like common sense.

The choice of Brown has raised eyebrows because of his career. 23 years as number two to Jim Jefferies - for many Hibs fans the Jambo's Jambo - and those two spells at Hearts.

I honestly couldn't care.

It's a strange feeling to be so intrigued by the appointment of a second in command. But there's not been much else positive to cling to at Easter Road of late.

Hibs need fight and there's a number of backsides needing kicked. That's what Brown will be there to do. And I fancy he'll relish the opportunity.

He's unlikely to accept any nonsense. Be that from the "enigmatic" manager, the meddlesome board or the under-performing players who seem to be taking so long to "gel" that they must split into oil and water for practice games.

A new voice at training and someone for the apparently always uncomfortable Calderwood to lean on, maybe at times to shelter behind.

All I'm interested in is how well Billy Brown performs those roles.

Willie McCartney joined Hibs in 1936 after an acrimonious departure from Tynecastle.

By the time he died in 1948 he had signed the players that became the Famous Five.

No such miracles are needed right now.

Brown only needs to bring calm and common sense off the pitch and find a way of inspiring fight, stubborness, passion, cohesion and a work ethic on it.

Should be his easiest job yet...