Having Keane in his corner was an asset for Mitchell

AS a graduate of the Manchester United youth system and former Under-23 Player of the Year, Demetri Mitchell was privy to career advice of the highest calibre. Some of the wise words came from none other than Hibernian managerial candidate Roy Keane. Mitchell, back in the Hibs team after two-and-a-half months out injured, reports that Keane (below) was an occasional visitor at Carrington to address youth teams. As ex-Sunderland and Ipswich players have attested, the Old Trafford legend has a tongue as vicious as some of the tackles he produced in his playing pomp. But when it came to straighttalking to young Mitchell and company, the words were gold and not gutting for the group. Mitchell explained: ‘When I was at Manchester United he came in for a few talks to the younger squads and youth teams. ‘It was good to have someone of that calibre coming in to speak to us and motivate us. It was a good experience. ‘It was about how to make the best of our career, mentally and physically, and motivating us to train hard each day. ‘We have a lot of people coming in at all clubs I’ve been at — here, United, Blackpool — and having people coming in to speak to you, it does motivate you. ‘You see what Roy’s like on TV and he’d definitely bring a passion to the club if he got the job. ‘There’s a little link there although I don’t know him personally or anything. It’s good to have big names linked with the club.’ Mitchell doesn’t believe Hibs players require any extra incentive to perform in the closing weeks of a season on the slide. Phillip Cocu and Paul Clement are other top names believed to be in the frame to replace Shaun Maloney. Anyone with a serious shot at the vacancy checking in on the 1-0 loss at Livingston saw a snapshot of the Easter Road club’s campaign — the occasional flash of quality, 18 attempts on goal but nothing to trouble Russian goalkeeping debutant Ivan Konovalov. ‘It’s not been good enough from us this season,’ conceded Mitchell. ‘I came in January and it’s been tough. ‘We don’t know who’s coming in. Whether it’s big names linked or not, it’s down to players to motivate themselves anyway and put in performances. ‘You have to put your all into every game. You can’t think: “I should put more into this game because someone might be watching”. ‘We’ve got to play our final games and finish as high as possible — seventh place is still the target.’ An ankle injury sustained at Arbroath in February prevented the former Hearts winger from impacting the four-month reign of the man who signed him. Maloney was sacked after tumbling out the top six and Scottish Cup in back-to-back defeats to Hearts. ‘It was very frustrating to miss some big games, I was out for longer than expected,’ added Mitchell. ‘I aimed to get back for those Hearts games and it was disappointing not to be able to help the team. ‘I just want to have a strong end to the season. I have to look forward now.’ Mitchell’s nine minutes as a substitute for Lewis Stevenson were insufficient to prevent Livingston leaping ahead of Hibs in the ‘bottom six’ standings. Livi have refused to enter a tailspin following the inexplicable collapse late to Motherwell on the final day before the split. They’re not playing for Europe but intend on playing like they are until the last kick at home to Dundee a week on Sunday. That attitude was typified by scorer Scott Pittman as his 124th Premiership outing for Livingston broke the club’s top-flight appearance record previously held by Spanish defender Oscar Rubio. ‘Scott is different class,’ said midfield colleague Jason Holt. ‘I can’t speak highly enough of him, he deserves the recognition he’s had. ‘He’s a quiet lad who just goes about his business. You know exactly what you’re getting from him because he’s a top professional. ‘The boys were gutted after Motherwell and there wasn’t even a game the following weekend that we could use to put it behind us. ‘We’re a good side. If we’d had a better start this term we could’ve been in that top half.’

LIVINGSTON (4-3-3): Konovalov 6; Devlin 7, Fitzwater 6, Obileye 5, Boyes 6; Holt 7, Kelly 6, Pittman 8; Bailey 6 (Forrest 66), Nouble 7 (Soto 90), Shinnie 6 (Sibbald 84). Subs not used: Maley, McMillan, Lewis, Montano, Chukwuemeka, Longridge. Booked: Pittman, Holt, Kelly. HIBERNIAN (3-4-1-2): Macey 6; McGinn 6, Hanlon 6, Stevenson 5 (Mitchell 81); Clarke 7, Doyle-Hayes 6, Newell 6, Doig 6; Henderson 7; Melkersen 5, Scott 4 (Jasper 61). Subs not used: Dabrowski, Mueller, Allan, Campbell, Bushiri, Deferriere, McGregor. Booked: Melkersen, Henderson. Man of the match: Scott Pittman. Referee: Chris Graham.