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Hibs defender Paul Hanlon insists he would hope to emulate Neil Lennon’s passion should he make the move into the dugout.
The 27-year-old undertook his first coaching course during the international break with some of his Easter Road team-mates.
But the one trait that he plans to take from head coach Lennon is not something that the 27-year-old will learn from a textbook.
Hanlon has seen former Celtic boss Lennon’s unadulterated obsession with winning at close quarters and admits the players respond to his style of management.
Speaking ahead of today’s trip to St Johnstone, Hanlon said: “What would I take from the gaffer? First and foremost, it would be how passionate he is about his work, and that’s something that definitely rubs off on the team.
“In every training session and every match, he’s passionate and wants to be the best, so that’s something I’d definitely want to take into my coaching career.
“Everyone can see the demands he puts on everyone at the club. He wants the best for us and he wants us to produce our best every day in training.
“We’ve had to adapt to that and keep our standards as high as possible, and I think that’s going to be good in the long run.
“He’s got that big club mentality and he wants to bring it here and keep it here for the next few years.”
Lennon led Hibs to the Championship title last season in his first campaign in charge and the Hibs players quickly realised that the Northern Irish does not tolerate any drop in standards.
Tea cups have been thrown and the hairdryer has been turned on to full blast, but Hanlon insists he would not have it any other way.
“Personally, that’s the way I want my manager to be – that’s what gets the best out of me,” added Hanlon.
“Knowing that even if you do something right ten times, if you do it wrong once, he’s going to tell you. That’s the way I want to be coached and probably the way I perform best.
“Even when he has a go, it’s never in a bad way. It’s always to get the best out of you because, if you’ve made an error, it’s because he knows we’re capable of better.
“The boys know that, if he is having a go or being demanding, it’s only because he wants the best for us.”
Complacency is unlikely to be an issue at Hibs for the next three-years at least after Lennon finally signed an extended deal on Thursday.
“It’s a great move for the whole club to get the manager signed up long term,” added Hanlon.
“It gives us a good bit of stability for the next few years so hopefully we can continue the way we’re going.
“With the demands he’s got every day on the players and the whole club, hopefully it will take it us as high possible.
“He’s very ambitious and wants to be the best so it’s a compliment to Hibs that he feels he can fulfil what he wants to fulfil at this club. We’re delighted he’s staying.”
