Mogga Mr Motivator

[Greenman]

Boss of the year Mowbray inspired by his hero Muhammad Ali as he goes all to prove he's no SPL one-hit wonder

By Hugh Keevins



TONY MOWBRAY takes his Hibs side on a pre-season tour to Ireland this weekend determined to prove he is no one-hit wonder.

Hibs' friendly game against Cork City tomorrow in the slightly ramshackle surroundings of the Turner's Cross ground will get the same attention to detail that the final match of last season, against Rangers for a place in the UEFA Cup, received from the man in charge.

Manager of the Year Mowbray is smart enough to know what will be said about him if he can't at least emulate Hibs' feat in finishing third in the SPL last season.

The Easter Road boss said: 'It's a good story to go from Manager of the Year to flash in the pan.

'But if people want to think that we got into Europe and had our highest league position for years because we were lucky, then that's their opinion.

'It doesn't matter to me what people think because I am always answerable to myself only.

'Success is the result of hard work,having a philosophy and preaching the right habits where your players are concerned.'

Mowbray's insight into the game is the result of having dedicated himself to discovering what motivates sportsmen.

And he derives his inspiration from the words of Muhammad Ali, the thoughts of British Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward and the actions of military legends throughout the ages.

Warrior He said: 'I'm interested in warrior generals who've changed the world.

'Motivation is a massive part of the job that I'm in. I have to stand in a dressing room before a game begins and convince players they're going out to fight for their wives and families.

'The words a manager says can have a profound affect on them.

'I earned £500 a week from football until I was 26 years old and then I started to do quite well out of the game around about the time I signed for Celtic in 1991.

'Whatever I've achieved has been as a result of respecting true professionalism above all else.

'Ali once said that he didn't get to become heavyweight champion of the world because he danced under the lights above the ring.

'He reached the summit because of his hard work he did in the gym.

'I don't dance under the lights. I prepare my players properly by never leaving myself in the situation where I can ever be caught out by having to say, 'Christ, I never thought of that'.

'That's why I'm not a screaming maniac on the touchline. I know that the90minutes of play is the event that takes place after the preparatory work has been done.'

Mowbray was preaching the virtues of dedication in the week that one of his players, Derek Riordan, was cleared of a breach of the peace charge.

The20-year-old was accused of swearing at a policeman in the early hours of the morning last December.

But the incident and the subsequent proceedings didn't demoralise the man who is striving for higher levels of conduct.

Mowbray said: 'Players are the product of the environment they come from.

'I can't change people's personalities just because I'm a football manager. There can often be social problems created when kids play in a city that houses two teams with such historic rivalry.

'I've learned that football runs through the veins of every man,woman and child in this country. With the passion comes the price that sometimes has to be paid.

'But let's not forget the young man in question was found guilty of nothing and I won't take the passion out of his game.

'He's probably worn a Hibs shirt every night of his life since he was a wee boy and I can't take that kind of desire out of him.

'But I will remind Derek of the need to portray an image that better reflects his profession.'

Mowbray has intensified the rivalry between Hibs and their neighbours Hearts by signing former Tynecastle midfielder Michael Stewart and will take him to Ireland for the start of the club's pre-season tour. After Ireland, the manager with only 12 months behind him at Easter Road will return to confront George Burley, the third Hearts boss in the last year.

He said: 'I need to be aware of the rivalry between the two clubs because it's so important to our fans.

'There are little kids in my street who run around wearing Hearts tops but I can honestly say I've never been involved in the sinister side of that rivalry since I moved my family to Edinburgh.

'There was supposed to have been bad blood between Craig Levein and me when he was at Tynecastle but I can truthfully say I was mystified by what he had to say before leaving for Leicester City.

'He said I was disrespectful and wouldn't go into his office after Hearts had won an Edinburgh derby. I was baffled by those remarks because they were made for no apparent reason.

'I had met Craig at social functions and I thought we got on reasonably well. I am respectful and I suspect what he had to say was caused by what was going on at Tynecastle at the time.

'I did get on with John Robertson, Craig's successor, and I have phoned him to offer my best wishes now that he's got a new job at Ross County.

'I'll also have respect for the next Hearts manager because I believe rivalry should be kept at a proper level.

'I'm intrigued by George Burley's appointment.

'We'll see what kind of relationship develops between us but I'll certainly have nothing to fear or hide

[wee_hibee707070]

the mans a legend

[Glenelghibee]

Tony Mowbray = God

[Bob1875]

It never fails to amaze me how intelligent TM is, absolute legend.