Roberto Martinez is delighted that Alan Stubbs has been given his chance in management.
Stubbs has been in charge of Everton’s u-21 side over the last six seasons with a hands-on role in developing players like Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman and John Stone from raw recruits into internationalists.
Managing Hibs will be an entirely different challenge for the former Celtic defender but Martinez has no doubt that Stubbs will succeed.
“We wish Alan the very best of luck,” the Goodison boss said. “The reality is when you work well and do things well, people will take notice. It reflects the excellent work done last season at the club and means it has been seen from the outside as well.
“We’re proud when those individuals that are Everton through and through get noticed and are given rewards and opportunities.”
Stubbs has a month to make his mark on Hibs with the first round of the Challenge Cup scheduled for the last weekend in July.
Following the dismal blow of relegation last season Terry Butcher freed 14 players leaving the club with barely enough players for 11-a-side’s in training.
Stubbs will be required to recruit at least a dozen players to put together a worthwhile squad but has plenty of contacts in England to call on for loan signings.
In the background at Easter Road former midfielder Paul Kane is unrelenting in his campaign to oust chairman Rod Petrie from the club.
Petrie is held responsible by the majority of fans for the demise of the club that culminated in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Hamilton Accies in the play-off.
New chief executive Leanne Dempster was behind the appointment of Stubbs but with Petrie still in the background Hibs fans fear that he retains ultimate authority at the club and the trust of owner Tom Farmer.
