Stubbs signs new Hibs deal

Alan Stubbs has signed a new contract to keep him at Hibs until 2017.

The former Everton coach inherited a shambles from Terry Butcher 12 months ago but knocked together a squad that finished second in the Championship and reached the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

Hibs’ preparations for the new season has been undermined by the orchestrated campaign to unsettle Scott Allan and earn him a cut price move to cash strapped Sevco.

Stubbs has made his opposition to that deal crystal clear with his new contract suggesting that the Easter Road board are 100% behind their manager.

“I’m very happy to continue with the work in progress,” the former Celtic defender said after signing his new deal. “I think supporters would agree that they have seen a lot of positive changes over the past year, and I know there is a lot more to come.

“I think most supporters would agree that whatever disappointments they have suffered in recent seasons are behind us, we are on the right track now, we’re trying to play a winning and exciting brand of football that they want to see and be part of.

“I believe in what we are all trying to achieve, and if there is one thing supporters can do to help me it is to get themselves along to Easter Road to support our team. To put it simply, we need you.

“I’m grateful to all of those who have supported the team, especially all of those who have put up their hard-earned money – all of that has helped me get players in – but we need more supporters to come back to their Club if we are to continue to get stronger.

“We made decent progress last year, this season we all know we need to get promoted. We need to be as strong as we can to achieve that, and while I know that the Board are giving me all the support they can, I also know that if we can get more people coming to games, I’ll be able to do more.

“This is football, so there will be setbacks along the way. It’s how we react to those setbacks that will eventually determine how successful we are. If we buckle and fight amongst ourselves we will lose. If we stick together and show our collective commitment, we will win. I’m confident that we can win.”