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.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.As fresh casualties dropped to the turf every few minutes, Everton's players battled in the sludge simply to stay on their feet.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.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.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.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.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.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 roundHe 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you can to help the team.'On Wednesday his task was made even more complex when the comforting presence of Distin was withdrawn thanks to a troublesome hamstring, and untested youngster Shane Duffy replaced him.'Shane came on with Seamus already there at right-back, and both young lads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.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo