David Moyes backs new Hibs boss Alan Stubbs

David Moyes has told Hibs they have made the right choice in appointing Alan Stubbs.

He knows the new Easter Road manager inside out after being his boss when he was an Everton player, then spotting managerial potential in the former defender.

Moyes gave Stubbs his first coaching job at Goodison Park back in 2008, and having served a six-year apprenticeship with the Toffees’ reserve side, the Scouser has the task of getting the Hibees back into the top flight.

Stubbs beat off strong competition to replace the sacked Terry Butcher, and Moyes has no doubts the Englishman has the qualities to be successful in Edinburgh.

“Alan has always had leadership qualities,” said the experienced former Manchester United boss.

“We had some really good years together at Everton, and he had a fine partnership in defence with Davie Weir. Alan was good for me in and around the dressing-room and on the park as well.

“He played under some excellent managers in Walter Smith, Martin O’Neill, Bruce Rioch and Tommy Burns, and he will be able to carry those experiences into this new job.

“Alan also has the benefit of being a coach and manager at different age levels and development teams at Everton. It’s not just as though he has stepped out of nowhere and into the Hibs job.

“I’m delighted the way he has progressed. He was always very studious when he played for me at Everton and had a good idea about the game. That’s why I offered him the chance to join the staff at Everton.

“He will also have picked up other new ideas from working under Roberto Martinez in the past year. Now he can roll it all up and use to his benefit in his new job at Hibs.

“It is a very good appointment by the club. This is a big job and one that Alan, I’m sure, will relish and thrive in. There is a great stadium at Hibs and a fine training ground, which is important in the modern game.

“Like every manager starting a new job, Alan will try to stamp his authority on the club as quickly as possible and will want bring in a few players to enhance the squad.

“There will be plenty of focus on him because Hibs are one of the biggest clubs in the country. And being in the same division as Rangers and Hearts, I would imagine the spotlight will be there every week.

“It’s going to be a vibrant Championship and one that I don’t think we will be able to keep our eyes off of. It will be exciting and there may well be twists and turns along the way between the title and the play-off places.

“You would expect Hibs to win more than their fair share of games and be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

“I wish Alan every success. The sooner all the big clubs are back in the Premiership, the better for Scottish football.”