Former Hibs’ striker Kevin Harper has followed in the footsteps of club legend Joe Baker by taking over the manager’s post at Albion Rovers.
The 42-year-old started his career under Alex Miller at Easter Road, making his debut as a 17-year-old.
His goals against Hearts in the Edinburgh derbies made him a favourite amongst the Hibs’ fans before his move to Derby County for a reported £300,000.
After a loan spell with Walsall, Harper moved to Portsmouth where he helped the club to promotion to the Premier League before joining and Stoke City.
His managers in England included Harry Redknapp and Tony Pulis.
He subsequently returned to Scottish football playing for Dunfermline Athletic at the close of his career.
In recent times he has set up his own football academy, the ‘Kevin Harper School of Excellence’ which has helped bring football to disadvantaged children.
He has also completed his coaching badges up to the ‘A licence level’ which is accredited by the Scottish FA and UEFA.
Harper said: ” The goal is staying up and getting off the bottom then getting up the league as much as we can. That’s the main aim.
“It will be tough on Saturday against Edinburgh City. All the games are tough when you are at the bottom of the table but my aim is to get us away from there as quickly as possible.
“Whether I take the team on Saturday, I don’t know. I’ll need to discuss that because obviously I’ve not had time with the players so that’s an issue I’ll probably watch from the stand.
“It’s about winning. that’s my mentality. My style of football is you win, you work hard and you enjoy the rewards.
“I’m in negotiations and talks with a couple of people (Over the assistant manager role) so hopefully that will come to the fore over the next couple of days.”
Joe Baker managed Albion Rovers in 1981 then again in 1984.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
