Derek McInnes named 'alternative' next Hibs boss candidate as Neil Lennon and Stephen Robinson tipped for the hot seat

Tam McManus insists Hibs must go for Derek McInnes after firing Lee Johnson. And the Easter Road club have also been urged to assess ex-gaffer Neil Lennon and Stephen Robinson in the search for the Englishman’s successor.

Johnson was axed after almost 16 months in charge following a poor start to the Premiership campaign. Fans chanted for his dismissal during the weekend defeat by Livingston which left Hibs rooted to the foot of the table. Ex-Hibee McManus says “punts” on the previous two managers Shaun Maloney and Johnson have not worked and it is time for the club to secure the services of a tried-and-tested individual with a strong track record in Scotland.

Lennon and St Mirren’s Robinson are in the mix with their credentials backed by Record Sport columnist. But McManus believes McInnes, currently in charge at Kilmarnock, should be his old club’s No.1 target. He said: “The three names for me would be McInnes, Lennon and Robinson because Hibs need someone who is experienced in Scottish football and has been successful within it.

“Hibs have taken a punt on their last two managers and tried to be different. Now it has to be an alternative approach. If you narrowed me down to just one name, I’d say Derek.

“I think that Neil is a very good manager. He enjoyed his spell working abroad recently and I feel that might be his first option. But, if he was approached, I’m pretty certain he would speak with Hibs.

“For me personally, though, if I had to give a name now it would be Derek. What are the objectives at Hibs? Top three or four every year and European football with a run in the cups to semis and finals.

“Hibs fans will want a style, but if the be-all-and-end-all is getting Hibs to Hampden every year, being high in the