Collins Insists Jambos Have A Hidden Gem In Korobochka Hibs V Hearts Today, Kick-Off 2pm Live On Setanta
JOHN COLLINS last night told Hearts fans to stick with mystery man Anatoly Korobochka - because he reckons they have a hidden gem in their dugout.
The enigmatic Russian coach takes a permanent back seat on match days while No.2 Stevie Frail faces the music on the touchline and in front of the media.
And while Hibs boss Collins is glad he's not hemmed in by the same shackles that stop the Jambos duo doing their job, he believes they have a class coach in their midst.
Collins and Korobochka will take their places 10 yards apart at Easter Road this afternoon for the second Edinburgh derby of the season.
And while the mayhem might split them apart for 90 minutes it won't reduce the respect the Hibees gaffer has for his opposite number.
He said: "I don't want to talk about anyone else's responsibilities - I'm happy with my role and have complete control of everything. That's the way it should be.
"But we're in football for the same reasons and we understand what the other man is going through. Myself and Stevie are friends and I recently did the SPL managers' conference with Korobochka - he was an absolute gentleman.
"I spoke with him through the interpreter. He is an interesting man and has a fantastic record at his previous clubs. I enjoyed chatting with him.
"He was open, friendly and a nice man. I empathise with him. The most difficult job in the world is coaching and I often think 'how would I coach if I couldn't speak the language?'
"It's a tough role.
"At Fulham I did a lot of Jean Tigana's team talks. I was his messenger boy. It's a hard job anyway but to do it in a foreign country takes guts.
"Anatoly is 100 per cent a football guy. He is a former player and has a passion for the game. It's a challenge and he's enjoying it - that came across when we talked.
"It takes time to build a relationship with the fans. Sometimes the connection comes with the language and getting the message across.
"You can do it through the interpreter - but the passion doesn't come out that way.
"I have nothing but respect for Anatoly. He once took CSKA Moscow to the Nou Camp and beat Barcelona. Not many people have done that."
But Collins knows he can only have one target in mind today - and that's making Korobochka and Frail's Sunday night a misery.
He was on the receiving end of enough derby defeats - as a player he suffered through some of Hearts' 22-game unbeaten run - to know what winning this one means.
The Hibs boss said: "Derbies are great to win, painful to lose but I enjoyed all the pressure games as a player.
"As a kid you dream of big matches and packed stadiums, scoring goals and celebrating.
"As a manager I'm the same. Some people may say there's more pressure - I prefer to use the word challenge.
"So often it's about who has the coolest head.
"The games have been entertaining as well as competitive recently and that's important.
"A wider English audience sees the derbies on Setanta now and while we're in a results business we are also in the entertainment business.
"That's how I always send my team out - to be creative and some people might say to take risks."
