The time is drawing near for John Collins methods to be put to the test. Will his work ethic pay dividends over the season?

Hibs have just two more pre-season games to play before they meet Hearts on Monday 6th August for the first game of the 2007-08 SPL season. Manager John Collins believes he has convinced his squad that putting in that extra effort on the training pitch will turn them into winners. Collins is a big fan of hard work which will deliver long-term benefits. While there was a players revolt over his methods last season, Collins appears to have won converts to his philosophy among the players who stayed at Easter Road this summer, and those he has brought in for the challenges ahead. Collins is convinced the CIS Insurance Cup holders are ready for the season ahead, having brought in the likes of striker Clayton Donaldson, midfielder Brian Kerr and defender Torben Joneleit. He explained: "The new lads have all featured in our pre-season games and have shown glimpses of what they will bring to our side this season. While they have settled in well we've been delighted by the hunger shown by the rest of the squad, who have all been showing signs of the benefit their hard-work on the training ground has produced."

The first of Collins' confidence in his players will come this evening when Bolton are their visitors, and again on Saturday when Middlesbrough head to Leith. Collins said: "These final two games of pre-season are against opponents from one of the toughest leagues in the world. Both include players of the highest quality in their squads as you would expect, and they will provide the toughest possible test for our own side in their final preparations for the opening game." New boy, former Newcastle winger Alan O'Brien looks likely to miss the Bolton and Middlesbrough games due to the ankle injury he sustained in a practise match last week. However, Collins believes he will be ready for the derby game against Hearts.

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