Source: Team_Talk
Stevenson focused on future
Alistair Stevenson has told his Hibernian players they must get the fans back on side when they face Kilmarnock at Easter Road on Saturday.[LNB] Hibs have not won at home since March - one of the reasons John Hughes and assistant Brian Rice were relieved of their managerial duties at the beginning of last week.[LNB]The players and Hughes had been on the receiving end of the supporters' frustrations for several weeks after winning just one of 10 matches this season.[LNB]And Stevenson, who has been placed in interim charge with Gareth Evans, has urged his players to make sure there is a positive atmosphere throughout Saturday's SPL clash.[LNB]"What's gone in the past is gone," Stevenson said. "This is a change and it has got to be a change for the better. It's a fresh start and it has got to be a positive start.[LNB]"It has got to be something that gets the fans on their side. From the first minute of the game they have got to be up for it.[LNB]"We have stressed the whole environment has to be positive on Saturday. The atmosphere has to be positive, the football has to be positive.[LNB]"The only thing that is important is we get three points and the fans go away feeling upbeat about the club. What happens in the future, we will need to wait and see."[LNB]Stevenson, who has brought many of the players through in his role as under-19 coach, added: "We haven't discussed anything that has happened in the past.[LNB]"They are so focused and desperate to do well. I have been really pleased with them. They haven't really been down.[LNB]"They have just put everything into touch. They have trained very hard and the spirit has been great.[LNB]"They had a wee break so they have had longer to focus and maybe get one or two things into their minds and they just can't wait for this game.[LNB]"They want to get the fans on their feet. I've stressed that - we need to get the stadium rocking.[LNB]"If we get a performance in the way they are capable of playing, if they pass the ball, if they compete and do all the things we are asking them to do, we feel we are going to be really hard to beat. But I stressed we need a performance."[LNB]Hibernian are taking their time in their hunt for their eighth manager in nine years, and Stevenson claimed he had not even thought about putting his name forward.[LNB]Former Chelsea coaches Steve Clarke and Baltemar Brito have been linked with the post along with Shamrock Rovers manager and former Hibs player Michael O'Neill.[LNB]"If we have to carry on for the next game, we will just treat it again as one game at a time and make sure the players are up for it," Stevenson said.[LNB]"If things go well I'll take that with the greatest pleasure and I'll be delighted for the players. I can't afford to take it any other way than one game at a time."[LNB]Danny Galbraith and Ian Murray are pushing for involvement against Killie after returning to training this week following injury.[LNB]
