WITH THE SEASON DRAWING TO A CLOSE it was refreshing to witness Bobby Williamson giving youth a chance against Aberdeen last weekend, and while the Hibs boss was forced into fielding the youngest player on the park, 17 year old Scott Brown, few spectators inside Easter Road could find anything negative in his performance. Speaking this afternoon Bobby praised Brown and fellow substitute Derek Riordan, the latter replacing Tam McManus early on in last week's clash - he said: "They came on and were lively, got themselves about and so I'm pleased for them. They got their just rewards."

Given the reaction on the Hibs.net messageboard to the performance of Brown in particular one could be forgiven for having concerns that too much pressure could be put on the shoulders of a young man who isn't even old enough to vote, and Bobby acknowledged that fans may become over demanding, but this isn't a problem confined  Easter Road - he said:" I think they do, but its not just Hibs fans - they think "brilliant", but they've got a long road ahead of them, they've still got to learn how to be professionals. There are some different roads they can go down - too much too early means they can go down the wrong road and its up to me as manager to try and take them along the away."

Williamson even extended his policy of "good enough, old enough" to last week's post-match press conference, allowing Derek Riordan to talk to the assembled press for the first time. Bobby said: "I don't stop people from talking to the press - I encourage it - but young boys aren't confident - they're very quiet as it is when talking to adults let alone press conferences- but its up to them and many decline the invitation at times. As I say, these guys have a long road ahead."

Given the way in which young English strikers such as Rooney and Milner have broken into the limelight at a similarly tender age it is undoubtedly pleasing to see a young Scottish striker making a similar step up, and Bobby exposed that last season Brown was once again plying his wares at Easter Road, albeit in a slightly different capacity - revealing: ""Scott Brown and guys like that have been selling the Happy Hibee tickets and the fans can relate to these guys - they've paid their money to these boys and I reckon it was only last year Scott was selling them and now he's on the park, and the fans can recognise that. It does mean more to kids when they see guys like Scott progress through the ranks than guys coming in. Its important that you can get that quality coming through - it augers well."

The fact that Brown is in reality unknown except to those die-hard Hibees who attend the Under 18 and Under 21 matches come hail or snow means that the majority of Hibees are in the same position as the rest of the SPL - unaware as to what exactly Brown is capable of. Bobby questioned how long that would be the case though, stating: "Scott Brown is certainly an unknown quantity in the Premier League at this time. The League is very tight and everyone gets to know everyone so well so quickly and so it won't be long until they figure out his qualities if he's playing well and gets the chance week in and week out."

"The big players - the Larrson's etc - everyone knows their strengths but they still seem to do it on a yearly basis. Other guys have come and been one season wonders and you tend to learn the strengths of them and try and combat them. If they don't have something else in their locker they become predictable, but these guys are kids and they've got a long way to go."
 

"The big thing - and this gives away one of their strengths - is that both Riordan and Brown are two-footed. So is McManus, Murray, O'Connor, O'Neil and Wiss - quite a lot of guys comfortable left and right, and you only seem to notice that with foreign players, ignoring what is under our noses. But we've got quite a lot of talented kids."

The fact that Hibs have now gained more points than both Dunfermline and Dundee is somewhat frustrating for many Hibs fans, with the SPL split meaning that the Easter Road outfit can finish no higher than 6th. Nonetheless it will be the 'Well fans who go into tomorrow's game the more nervous, not knowing whether or not their side will have to face the prospect of the drop if they remain bottom of the SPL until 23rd May. Nevertheless Bobby felt positions mean nothing when it comes down to it - he said: "The target is just the same as the start of the season - pick up three points. I'm looking at the Motherwell game tomorrow and that's the target, to try and win it, if you can entertain then brilliant."

"Its massive for every team - you can't go out and say 'there's nothing at stake so I won't bother today'. You can't do it- it doesn't happen in the Premier League whether top, middle or bottom. You've got to go out and do your best, as you've got people paying good money to come along and support you and you don't want to let them down."

Coupled with the fact the Motherwell players aren't sure of their future is the fact that so many players on show tomorrow will need to put on a performance over the next few weeks that will merit their continuing in the game, the way in which clubs are shedding players in the close-season being a major issue for those who find their livelihood in the game. Williamson acknowledged that this was a problem that Hibs faced like every other club in the country, stating: "There's a lot of uncertainty, but I think that's right throughout football. You're picking up papers every day and there's a sob story from somebody not being kept on and that's a problem. There'll be many in that position, and some will be lucky and some unfortunate - squads will be cut and and faces changed. That's throughout football though."

Assistant manager Jim Clark had suggested a fortnight ago that decisions still had to be made over the remainder of the season as to which personnel would remain at Easter Road, but in the intervening 14 days Williamson revealed that he had made most of his decisions - he said: "My mind is more or less made up to be honest. These guys, if not impressing me have to impress some other manager. That goes for every club though - most managers have a good idea of what is going to happen."

With regard to other team news, Bobby said: "Yannick Zambernardi (groin) is out, as are Tam McManus (back) and Garry O'Connor (knee). Garry started training through the week but didn't train today."