Hibbert: My mate Gerrard's a Red, but he wants Everton to win today

18 April 2009 21:08
The two Huyton boys could not have been more excited about winning alocal under-10s tournament for Denburn United had it been the World Cupitself. [LNB]Almost overawed, they posed next to the trophy and vowed it would be the first of many.[LNB] Nine-year-old Steven Gerrard dreamed of captaining Liverpool and winning the European Cup.[LNB][LNB] Blue blood: Tony Hibbert is proud to be an Evertonian[LNB] Everton FC: All the latest news from across the webLiverpool FC: All the latest newqs from across the webHis mate Tony Hibbert, a few months his junior, wanted to play for Everton at Wembley. [LNB]Hibbert has long since lost count of how many times he has turned on the television to see his friend involved in big matches - whether it be captaining Liverpool in a Champions League final or playing in the World Cup for England. [LNB]But today the roles will be reversed. It will be Gerrard watching and Hibbert stepping out of the shadows as his Everton side face their most important game this century, an FA Cup semi-final against the Manchester United 'untouchables' chasing an unprecedented five trophies this season. [LNB]'It won't be easy for the Liverpool captain to choose between Manchester United and Everton, but I'm sure Stevie will want me to do well,' said Hibbert. [LNB]'We do go a long way back. Our dads are friends and it was no surprise that we played for the same boys' team. I never had any doubt Stevie would make it as a professional, he was that good. Myself? I wasn't so sure, but of course that's what I wanted.'[LNB][LNB] School of talent: Tony Hibbert and Steven Gerrard winning a trophy[LNB]Given Hibbert's modesty, Gerrard is happy to talk up the consistent Everton defender, who has hardly put a foot wrong in more than 200 games for his club. [LNB]'Tony is to Everton what me and Jamie Carragher are to Liverpool,' said Gerrard. 'There is a connection with the fans and it is important for both clubs to have local players coming through. I like nothing better than putting the telly on and if Everton are playing, seeing Tony doing well. He is still a good mate. [LNB]'Even at a young age you knew he would play at a really high level. We started in the same team and I thought he was a fantastic player. He was tough as a kid but I think that's the way you get brought up in Huyton, to be a tough tackler and give everything you've got. [LNB]Best of enemies: Tony Hibbert brings down Steven Gerrard for a penalty[LNB]'I also know Tony's dad and he has a similar mentality to my dad in the sense that they want you to go out and give everything. [LNB]'A lot of players have come out of Huyton. There is a passion for football there. Kids are out on the street playing football every chance they get. There are good amateur teams, too, so you have the chance to play at the weekends and improve yourself.'[LNB] Whereas Gerrard joined Liverpool, Hibbert went through the ranks at Everton. He was already at the club on schoolboy terms in 1995 when the 'Dogs of War' team famously beat Manchester United to win the FA Cup with a goal from Paul Rideout. [LNB]'Everton were an old-fashioned club then and the buzz around the place was fantastic,' recalled Hibbert. 'I remember the trophy being brought down to the training ground on the first day of pre-season and the atmosphere being electric. The dinner ladies were as excited about winning it as the players. [LNB]'They were happy times. The training ground at Bellefield only had about two or three showers when I went there. Most of the players still had to use one of those big tin baths. [LNB]'Of course, things have to move on but I'm glad I had those experiences. It has definitely helped me appreciate what Everton are about. The only disappointment about '95 for me was that I missed the final itself. My parents had booked a family holiday in Spain. I don't think they'd predicted Everton might reach the cup final!'[LNB] Hibbert is likely to have to stop another famous friend today: Wayne Rooney, who had a scan on a foot problem on Friday. [LNB]The pair were Everton team-mates as youngsters before Rooney made his move to Manchester United, despite declaring 'Once a blue, always a blue'. [LNB]Unlike many Everton fans, Hibbert bears his pal no ill-will and remains one of the first names on the guest list if Rooney is ever throwing a party. [LNB]'The thing I remember was the way Wayne handled the pressure,' recalled Hibbert. 'He was in the public eye from the moment he scored that goal against Arsenal at 16. A lot of people might have changed but he just did not let anything bother him. It was unbelievable really, all these expectations on a kid and he just carried on doing things his way.' [LNB]Everton owner Bill Kenwright is fiercely proud of the club's tradition and has organised for 30 of their most cherished ex-players to travel to Wembley to watch the semi-final.[LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail