IT is by no means certain that Mark Venus will follow Tony Mowbray to West Brom.The duo were team-mates at Ipswich before linking up at Hibernian where between them they have done a fine job.

By Derek Davis

IT is by no means certain that Mark Venus will follow Tony Mowbray to West Brom.

The duo were team-mates at Ipswich before linking up at Hibernian where between them they have done a fine job.

But while Mowbray was in the west Midlands sorting out his future, Venus was preparing the SPL side for their big Edinburgh derby match against Hearts.

Venus said: “He hasn't asked me about the prospect of following him down. As far as I know, I will be part of the team to try and win the game on Sunday.

“To be perfectly honest, Tony hasn't spoken that much about what has happened. He's his own man. He makes his decisions, and I respect them.

“I've had a lot of fun in Edinburgh. I've enjoyed my time here - but like everyone else, if you get a job offer then you have to take it seriously.”

Assistant Venus is being tipped to step into the No.1 job at Easter Road, with former Hibs favourite Mixu Paatelainen also being touted after he won Manager of the Year with Scottish Division Three winners Cowdenbeath.

Venus said: “I don't know, that's a big question. I've just got to get on with it and see what happens.”

Venus admits that going into the first Edinburgh derby of the season without a manager is not an ideal situation for the Leith club.

However, he hopes the atmosphere at Easter Road will help the players overcome Mowbray's absence from the dug-out.

He said: “Obviously it's not good for a football club when you get disruption and the manager goes somewhere else.

“Footballers need someone to look to. They need a manager, a figurehead, someone to look to when there is a problem.

“So, no matter what anyone says, when a club doesn't have a manager it doesn't help the team.

“But, as far as Sunday goes, it's a great game for the lads to play in.

“There will be a big crowd, and I'm sure all the fans will get behind the team and cheer them on. I hope everything will come out rosy.”