Source: FOOTYMAD
Hibs Job Contenders
Michael O'Neil and Jimmy Calderwood look to be the main men for John Hughes old job. Former Hibs midfielder Michael O'Neill is one of the names being mentioned in connection with the vacancy at Easter Road. This does not go down well with his current boss, Shamrock Rovers chairman Jonathan Roache who will not welcome any interest from Hibs. O'Neill is close to delivering Rovers a first Premier League title success for 16 years while they are also FAI Cup semi-finalists. And with that in mind Roache, who has begun negotiations to extend ex-Brechin boss O'Neill's deal which has 12 months leftRoache said: "It's understandable Michael is going to be linked with other jobs because he has done brilliantly for Shamrock. But we wouldn't appreciate interest from anyone. We are close to winning the league for the first time in 16 years and this is an unwelcome distraction. Michael has a year left of his contract and a few weeks ago we started talking to him about extending that. I regard him as the best young manager in Ireland and as good a prospect as there would be in Scotland and England. We're an ambitious club and hope Michael will be with us long term." Another contender for the job is Jimmy Calderwood. The former Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager admits he would love to succeed John Hughes. Calderwood believes the Edinburgh side are one of Scotland's bigger clubs and he would jump at the chance to steer them towards the upper echelons of the league table. The 55-year-old spent five seasons at Pittodrie before helping Kilmarnock secure their top-flight status in the 2009/10 campaign and he is proud of his managerial record. He said: "You just have to wait and see but Hibs are one of the bigger clubs so obviously you like being linked with them. I would be interested but you have to be asked first. The favourites don't always win do they? I miss football and the day-to-day running of a club. I am proud of my record but I wasn't asked too many times last year to fill jobs. People might have other ideas about you." Meanwhile, Hibs chairman Rod Petrie addressed the club's annual general meeting on Monday night and pledged they would take their time to find Hughes' successor. He said: "The two weeks (break for internationals) gives us some breathing space, but we do not see it as imperative to have a new management team in place for the Kilmarnock game. We would rather take the time to make the right appointment. I'm sure when our next manager is appointed he will be somebody we will all welcome. We all liked John and are sorry to see him go, but it has given us the best opportunity to get back to winning ways." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
