Butcher Confident Of Player Response

Ben Williams proclaimed his colleagues at Easter Road were ‘soft and spoiled’ after falling to another defeat following last weekend’s 2-0 reverse against St Mirren but Hibees gaffer Terry Butcher is delighted with the response from his squad during training this week ahead of Sunday’s Edinburgh Derby.

Former captain Kevin Thomson who was recalled to the starting line up for the Saints match had also been quoted in the press as saying it was time to show some pride stating “I want to be the one who sticks his chest out, gets on that pitch and grabs the game by the scruff of the neck.”

The Hibs boss has no problem with both players comments and told the press conference ahead of the game “Ben didn`t miss, he was very honest. I think some of Thommo`s quotes this week have been very good as well, about sticking the chest out and showing more pride. That`s terrific.

“From the senior players we I`ve had a terrific response. From everybody, really, but particularly from the senior ones because I think they are looking at this game and saying ‘let`s lead from the front`.

“The senior players are doing just that when it comes to the training and everything else. They`ve got to take that forward now into the game.”

Hibs are currently on a forlorn run which has seen them pick up maximum points just once since they defeated Hearts at New Year but the former England star has sensed a new impetus in the squad ahead of the Derby.

Following keeper Williams comments after last Saturday’s game, Butcher is convinced his players can set the record straight this time around.

“You can`t be soft in derby matches, that`s for sure – and we won`t be, he added.

“In the preparations this week, you can sense it`s a derby game straight away. There`s an eagerness, a desire and a spring in players` steps. In a way, there`s no need for motivation for this one. If you`re not up for a derby match, with the circumstances surrounding this one, you will never be.

“You do sense an uptake in intensity. If you look at the way they`ve gone about their work, it`s been very enjoyable. It`s been loud, which is great, because it probably hasn`t been in the past. I`ve been very pleased.

“We`re all very much focused and we`re all together, probably more so now than ever before. It`s probably taken a poor run and the fact it`s a derby match to get everybody really together.”