Terry Butcher will start his competitive career as Hibs manager in the St Mirren Park stand after yesterday landing an immediate one-match touchline ban.
Butcher was handed a £1,000 fine and a two-match ban – one game of which is suspended until the end of the season – by a Scottish Football Association disciplinary tribunal.
The former England captain admitted a charge of misconduct by “acting in an aggressive manner towards players of the opposing team” following the incident which saw him sent to the stand during former club Inverness’s League Cup win over Dundee United last month.
Butcher and United coach Darren Jackson, whose hearing was postponed, were dismissed following the on-field melee which also saw United forward Nadir Ciftci sent off. Ciftci saw his red card rescinded but faces further action over an alleged attack on an assistant referee.
Despite his touchline absence Butcher hopes to send his players out with smiles on their faces.
Without a win or a goal in their last four matches, there has been little for anyone to enjoy around Easter Road recently.
However, Butcher is hoping to change that at the weekend.
He said: “I am looking for a good reaction from the players – which I am positive I will get – and players going out and playing with a smile on their face and enjoying what they do.”