Shaun Maloney invites Hibs legends to training as he promises to 'fight like hell' for Hearts' third place

Shaun Maloney invited Hibs greats Pat Stanton and Paul Kane to lunch with the current Easter Road squad yesterday in a bid to inspire them ahead of tonight’s Edinburgh derby.

And the Hibees manager has vowed to continue to ask legends of the past to join them as he tries to re-establish links that he believes have been lost over the course of time.

Maloney is adamant that Stanton and Kane weren’t at the Tranent HQ to beat the drum ahead of the visit of Hearts tonight but their presence provided a timely boost after the weekend loss to Livingston.

He said: “I invited quite a few ex-players into the training ground this week and I’ve been really pleased they accepted the invitation. Pat Stanton and Paul Kane, we had today at training.

“I enjoyed listening to the stories they had on their positive experiences – and less positive experiences.

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“That’s definitely something we’ll try to carry on, not just for derby games but for every game.

“The more ex-players, who have achieved great things for our club, that are around the better. That connection was maybe lost in the last few years.

“But it coincided with the derby game, so it was good timing.

“My players have been really respectful. These guys have