Mogga starts Hibs job

By Derek Davis

Chief Football Writer

TONY Mowbray last night assured Blues fans he will not be tempting their top stars to his new club Hibernian.

Mowbray was unveiled as the new Hibs boss yesterday after a whirlwind five days of negotiating.

Although Mowbray, who was a top-notch defender for Town for four years before moving into coaching at Portman Road, knows the strengths and weaknesses of the Blues squad, he admitted the SPL club could not compete financially.

He said: "We are not in the same league as Ipswich when it comes to wages, so Ipswich supporters can rest assured we won't be after their top players.

"Like most clubs in the UK there is no massive budget and the wage structure is not comparable to a club like Ipswich.

"Until I have had a chance to look at what there is at Easter Road myself, I don't really know what I need, so I won't be making any decisions on players yet."

Mowbray, who has the UEFA A and B badges to go with the UEFA Pro Licence, has already contacted a few people about the possibility of being his assistant manager but again is not rushing into an appointment.

He said: "It has to be someone I'm comfortable with."

Blues boss Joe Royle was sorry to lose Mowbray and had been prepared to offer him a new contract at Portman Road.

"I'm sad to see him go. Tony made a tremendous contribution to this club and as well as being an excellent coach is a true gentleman who I regard as a good friend," he said.

The former Middlesbrough and Celtic captain was approached by Hibs on Wednesday morning after Town went out of the play-offs. He spent the next couple of days in talks but did not need much convincing that Hibs were to ideal club for him to make the break into management. The 40-year-old arrived at Easter Road on the back of numerous glowing references, and Hibs managing director Rod Petrie revealed Mowbray had emerged as the ideal candidate for the post.

He said: "Everybody we spoke to about Tony talked about his passion for the game, his love of the game, his work ethic, his professionalism, his honesty and integrity and all the leadership qualities you would look for."

Mowbray will enjoy a brief break before getting back on the training pitch, with Hibs due back on June 21.

The side finished eighth in the 12 club SPL last season and their first competitive game will be in the first week of July after a first round bye in the Intertoto Cup.

n Steve McCall has been promoted to first team coach at Ipswich, with Willie Donachie continuing as assistant manager to Royle. McCall will stay in charge of the reserves for now.