by Stuart Crowther 16th July 2002

Williamson happy to go with his pack of 20! Hibs get pre-season underway with trip to Hampden - McManus set to lead line BOBBY WILLIAMSON WILL TELL YOU THAT HE HAS NEVER BEEN HAPPY with the lumbering big squads he had at Kilmarnock and inherited at Easter Road, so the Hibs boss now looks ahead to another season with the financial state of the game dictating that he has a squad of just 20 - and could not be happier.  Hibs move up a step this evening in their pre-season preparations with a visit to Hampden where they will face Queens Park, a game that will provide Williamson with a first glimpse at striker Tam McManus. The lack of cash in the game has seen 'crisis' headlines appear under the name of every SPL club throughout the summer, but strangely Hibs have for the most part avoided such headlines.  Indeed the club have never been quieter when it comes to releasing news, and while that has not suited most fans hungry for details on what to expect in the coming season, it seems to have suited Williamson perfectly!  Constant speculation over the futures of Ulises de la Cruz and Garry O'Connor have not phased the Hibs management team it would seem, as they go about the job of preparing for their first full campaign in charge at Easter Road.  "Everyone knows the situation facing Scottish football, and to be honest I think it’s long overdue that clubs should have to cut their cloth accordingly.  I’ve never enjoyed the aspect of huge squads and having to leave guys sitting in the stand on match days," Williamson said last night, making it clear that he at least is not the slightest perturbed by the lack of transfer action surrounding the Easter Road club. Tam McManus - looking to get back into the groove at Hampden Williamson is of course well aware of the statements made by De La Cruz and his representatives throughout the summer, but the Ecuador international has now returned to Edinburgh, albeit a few days late, and resumed training.  While De La Cruz will not feature in the game at Hampden this evening, Williamson at least fully expects him to be with the squad when they depart for Finland on Friday.  The Hibs boss said: "There is nothing doing, either coming in or going out," but that will not rest the tongues of those fed on a diet of agent-fed rumour!  For all that Hibs will take some comfort from the fact that it is not just the Scottish game suffering from a cash crisis, as any move by De La Cruz to Italian football, as has been suggested by his agent, looks likely to be on hold with the Italians facing such a severe crisis of their own that their season looks set to be put back a month. For Williamson however this evening is the first real test for his squad who have been back in training for almost two weeks.  The Hampden clash provides a first look at Tam McManus for the Hibs boss who regards the striker almost as a new signing, McManus having been one of Hibs long-term injury victims when Williamson took over from Franck Sauzee last season.  Williamson is expecting much from the young striker, as he will from Ulrik Laursen, also returning from injury and likely to feature this evening or in a second warm-up game before the Finland tour against Cowdenbeath tomorrow evening.  Youth is the key for most SPL clubs this season, and that was underlined by Williamson when he said: "Our squad of 20 includes three under-21s in McManus, Garry O’Connor and Ian Murray.  Outwith the 20, we have another seven under-21s who have yet to establish themselves but hopefully a few of then can as the season progresses." It remains to be seen if Bobby Williamson can hold on to all 20 players who make up his current squad, what is clear however is that the Hibs boss will not be over despondent if moves are made for one or two of his players.  Such moves are unlikely to change the situation regarding new faces arriving at Easter Road, as Hibs struggle to cope with their own cash crisis the boss will concentrate on what he has and not what he may like to have.  That may not be the sort of talk Hibs supporters wish to hear, but it is all that appears to be on offer right now!