Ex-Hibs ace Latapy signs for Edinburgh City

Former Hibernian cult hero Russell Latapy has signed for East of Scotland outfit Edinburgh City FC, in one of the shocks of the Scottish football season so far.

Latapy, 43, trained last night with the Meadowbank outfit and is set to feature in this weekend’s Scottish Cup clash with Irvine Meadow.

The former Trinidad and Tobago internationalist retired from professional football in 2009 after an illustrious career spanning over 20 years and seeing him have stints with Boavista, Rangers, Falkirk as well as the Easter Road side.

City Manager Gary Jardine was happy to have Latapy on board at Meadowbank, he told The Reporter:-

“It’s brilliant for a club like Edinburgh City to sign Russell Latapy. We never expected to get a player of his calibre. He’s got great experience and can help our side.

“We’re a very young side and I think he can help bring them on. He’s a friend of my co-manager and initially it was a tongue-in-cheek thing when we spoke to him at Ian Murray’s testimonial.”

Jardine was also keen to point out the immediate impact Latapy made in training – both on and off the field. He added:

“In training he was great. He had about 6 touches and every one of them created a chance! He’s 43 now and his legs have gone a bit, but he’ll be great to have around the place.

“He told the young lads last night, if he could help them in any way just to ask him. We’ve got Russell until the end of January (2012) and he will feature this weekend, probably from the start.”

Latapy comes to the capital outfit after having a managerial stint in charge of his native Trinidad and Tobaga – a post he vacated in January of this year.

The veteran midfielder and indeed the other Edinburgh City players will be in action this Saturday 22 October 2011, when they take on Irvine Meadow at Meadowbank. Kick-off 3p.m.