Wednesday Mar 01 2006 15:27
Hibernian boss Tony Mowbray does not expect Garry O'Connor's imminent departure to have an impact on his team during Saturday's game with Dundee United.
The Scotland striker is close to agreeing a big-money move to Lokomotiv Moscow and Mowbray will not field him against the Terrors at the weekend.
O'Connor has been an important figure in Hibs' challenge at the right end of the table this term, but Mowbray is confident his squad is strong enough to cope without him.
"There's been a lot of banter about it but the lads are fine," he told the Evening News.
"If it does happen Garry is not going to be the first to leave a football club. Players are pretty durable, it's part and parcel of life that players come and go.
"The rest of them will get on with it and I am sure they will remain focused."
O'Connor is Hibs' second highest scorer this term having netted 11 times in 26 SPL games, one less than Derek Riordan.
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