BY ALAN TEMPLE, Rotherham – @CCP_Sport
Alan Stubbs has allayed the worst fears of Hibs fans by confirming that he will not raid his former club for top talent.
The 44-year-old developed an array of gifted youngsters during his two years at Easter Road, most notably polishing John McGinn into a Scotland internationalist following his arrival from St Mirren.
Jason Cummings has also improved immeasurably under Stubbs, bagging 25 goals last term, while the likes of Dylan McGeouch and Fraser Fyvie have seen their careers revitalised in Leith.
Despite their modest size, there is little doubt that Rotherham would have the financial muscle to table an acceptable offer for the majority of Hibs’ prize assets, such is the trickle-down wealth in the English game.
However, Stubbs has candidly admitted that he believes it would be “disrespectful” to plunder the Hibees and insists he still wants the best for his former club as they target a return to the Ladbrokes Premiership.
He said: “I am a down to earth guy and I am a respectful guy. Even though I have a lot of admiration for the players at Hibs, I don’t think you will see me coming in for any of them – out of respect.
“I want the best for their football club.
“The one thing I wouldn’t want to do, after everything Hibs did for me, is disrespect them by cherry picking their assets.
“It was a fantastic time there and I will never have a bad word to say about them or look to slight them. I’ll still look for the results, I’ll be in contact with the people there, and that affinity will never end.”