TOMMO HAILS HIBS'MIX OF OLD AND NEW

Kevin Thomson
By Ray Mcgrath
December 31 2003

KEVIN THOMSON has been in the Hibs first team for just two months, but he has only needed the past fortnight to experience the best and worst moments of his young career.

KEVIN THOMSON has been in the Hibs first team for just two months, but he has only needed the past fortnight to experience the best and worst moments of his young career.

The high point was scoring the winning goal to knock Celtic out of the CIS Cup in front of a delirious Easter Road crowd.

But just nine days later the Glasgow giants wrought their revenge with a 6-0 Christmas stuffing to leave a humbled Hibs entering the New Year.

The 20-year-old said: ''I have only just recovered. It was very disappointing for us on Saturday.

''It was a good day for myself to go to Parkhead and experience it. Playing in front of 60,000 fans is a boy's dream, but obviously the result was not a very good one.

''Before the sending off, anyone will tell you that we were doing well.

''Celtic are a hard enough team to play against with 11 men but when you go down to 10 it is an uphill battle.''

But Thomson is still delighted just to be involved after not even expecting to get a first-team start thisseason before being pitched in at Dens Park on November 1.

He said: ''My debut came out of the blue. If I had hit the bench this season, I would have been delighted. I have played nine games so far so I'm over the moon. I just hope I can keep on playing.''

Thomson is not the only youngster in the team, with Steven Whittaker, Scott Brown and Derek Riordan all making an impact recently.

But he insists it is the older headswhoarethemostimportant components of the team.

He said: ''It's good to have experienced players alongside you. The likes of Grant Brebner, Gary Smith and Colin Murdock these guys help you along.''

Even though his promotion was accelerated by injuries to the small Easter Road squad, Thomson has certainly made the most of his opportunity.

And his determination to show the Old Firm ''no respect'' in previous encounters has demonstrated the confidence of his youth.

He added: ''I don't think there is anything to fear. Hopefully there is a lot more to come from this team.''