Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC’s Tony Hibbert is growing in stature
AS the saying goes, Tony Hibbert is the sort of man you would want next to you in the trenches.[LNB]That's fortunate for his Everton team-mates, because in Athens on Wednesday they were playing on a pitch which at times resembled a Great War battlefield.[LNB]As fresh casualties dropped to the turf every few minutes, Everton's players battled in the sludge simply to stay on their feet.[LNB]But at the heart of a central defence which succeeded in keeping a clean sheet against the odds, there was Tony Hibbert - Everton's most reliable senior professional.[LNB]Hibbert was quietly effective, and his broad grin at full time reflected not only his joy at being part of a potentially pivotal win, but pride at entering the club's record books.[LNB]The dependable 28-year-old made his 19th European appearance for the Toffees against AEK, equalling the club record jointly held by Colin Harvey and Brian Labone.[LNB]But it is safe to guess that the unassuming native of Huyton, and schoolboy acquaintance of Steven Gerrard, never imagined he would equal that record playing at centre-half.[LNB]At 5ft 7in the career right-back has been forced to play there for the Blues thanks to their well-documented injury list. And, as ever, he has let nobody down.[LNB]Hibbert has played in the heart of central defence in all three Europa League group away games after being sent off away in the qualifying round[LNB]He said: 'When I played at centre-back with Sylvain, he helped me an awful lot. I am not really familiar with the position, but when the manager asks you to play in a different position you do all you can to help the team.'[LNB]On Wednesday his task was made even more complex when the comforting presence of Distin was withdrawn thanks to a troublesome hamstring, and untested youngster Shane Duffy replaced him.[LNB]'Shane came on with Seamus already there at right-back, and both young lads were different class,' said Hibbert. 'The older lads helped pull them through it. We knew it would be a difficult night given the conditions and the injury problems we had, but the lads were unbelievable.'
