IF the arrival of Colin Nish during the January transfer window wasn't exactly greeted with universal acclaim by Hibs fans, the big striker has certainly won over his critics as Mixu Paatelainen's side have hauled themselves back into the race for Europe.
But, while the 26-year-old has opened the Easter Road fans' eyes to his abilities, there's one who never doubted the gangling hitman had what it took to be a star in a green and white shirt.
For as head teacher of Musselburgh Grammar, Terry Chris
tie watched the teenage Nish regularly claim 40 goals a season – more than matching the exploits of another of the school's pupils, a certain Kenny Miller.
Today Christie recalled: "I used to referee school matches on a Saturday morning and the one thing you were assured was big Nish scoring goals.
"He was a prolific striker, all he wanted to do was score goals. He was good for 40 or so a season. Kenny was a couple of years older than Colin, both of them very good players.
"Kenny had that exceptional pace whereas Colin was a big lad but with a surprisingly good touch, not unlike big Peter Crouch at Liverpool."
Given Nish's scoring record, it wasn't a surprise he found himself the centre of attraction for a number of clubs on leaving school, the youngster electing to join Dunfermline. Unfortunately, Nish was unable to establish himself as a first-team regular at East End Park under Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl, but Christie hadn't forgotten his ability, twice taking him on loan to Alloa Athletic when he was manager at Recreation Park.
Christie, who also bossed Meadowbank Thistle and Stenhousemuir, said: "I think Colin was impatient to get into the first team at Dunfermline. At 6ft 3in he was a bit 'willowy,' he still is, and he needed to gain a bit of strength. I know the two Jimmys thought very highly of him but he was outstanding for me at Alloa.
"He was a handful for most defences and, with him alongside Martin Cameron up front, we had a great run.
"The pair of them were unstoppable in the Second Division, which we won, but Colin's performances didn't surprise me because I knew he was a talented player.
"The only problem Colin had was in what to call me given I'd been his head teacher. It was always 'Mr Christie,' he was very respectful."
Nish, however, found himself at a crossroads when he was released by Dunfermline in the summer of 2003 having played little more than a handful of first team games for the Fife club. But he was then handed the chance to revive his career when Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies stepped in to sign him on a free transfer, a move Christie believes was based on what he calls the "Musselburgh connection," Jefferies hailing from nearby Wallyford while his assistant Billy Brown is a native of the Honest Toun.
Christie said: "Jim and Billy knew Colin well as a Musselburgh boy and, all credit to them, they took that chance. They showed a lot of faith in Colin and resurrected his career."
Although forced to play second fiddle to Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith at Rugby Park, Nish still managed to score a creditable 46 goals in 115 starts under Jefferies and had struck nine times this season for the Ayrshire club before Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen swooped in January.
Initially Nish signed a pre-contract deal to move to his boyhood heroes this coming summer but Jefferies agreed to an earlier release when Hibs came up with £100,000 on transfer deadline day.
And Christie not only believes that will prove to be money well spent, but that Calderwood and Nicholl, who will face Nish in a green and white shirt for the first time when Hibs travel to Pittodrie on Saturday, may live to regret allowing him to leave Dunfermline.
He said: "I think Colin will be a good signing for Mixu, who hasn't had to break the bank to get him. As I said, as a youngster Colin appeared to outgrow his strength which was a problem for him at that time.
"But now he has matured, he's stronger and I think he's at that stage of his career where Hibs will begin to see the best of him. Colin is still a handful for any defender, he applies himself so well but I think people are also seeing he is much more than just a goalscorer.
"He's got wonderful soft feet, he drops off, links others in but he's also good in the air and is well capable of scoring the sort of goal he got against St Mirren the other week.
"I know Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl thought highly of him and maybe now they would regret letting him go because he is a boy with talent. I'm really pleased to see Colin doing so well with Hibs, the fact he is playing for the club he supported all his life will be that little added incentive for him.
"But I'm also delighted for his family, all of whom I know well.
"His father, Adam, has been his greatest supporter throughout his career, he's followed Colin everywhere to watch him play."
Christie, however, feels that, as much as Nish will prove to be a hit in his own right, his arrival could well start to bring out the best in Scotland striker Steven Fletcher, much in the same way Paatelainen's presence helped Garry O'Connor blossom as a youngster a few season ago for the Hibees.
Fletcher, barely 21, has emerged as one of the hottest young talents in the SPL with, reportedly, Real Madrid keeping tabs on his progress although Hibs insist there has been no contact with the Spanish giants despite rumours of a £4.5million bid.
Used in midfield by former boss Tony Mowbray to protect him from the physical battering to which an out-and-out striker is subjected, Fletcher has now taken on the mantle of a centre-forward, having netted 14 times this season, six of them coming since Nish's arrival.
Christie said: "Young Fletcher is undoubtedly a huge talent and I'm very optimistic he'll do really well for Hibs.
"But having Colin alongside him will take some of the weight off his shoulders as he, and others, will be able to play off Colin who, no doubt, will take the brunt of the challenges from opposition defenders."
A member for 27 years, Christie jumped at the chance to become general manager of the club which nestles in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, a role in which he is revelling.
He said: "It's a £1million business and I run it, every aspect. Having retired from teaching, I was asked two-and-a-half years ago if I'd like to become general manager and I am thoroughly enjoying it.
"It's a beautiful course, I live just 90 seconds away so it is virtually on my doorstep.
"Having been a member here for so long I have many friends and, to be honest, there are many similarities to running a school, I'm still involved in people.
"It's a full-time post and my wife jokes that having been a football widow she is now a golf widow." Christie, however, hasn't lost all contact with football.
The former Meadowbank Thistle, Stenhousemuir and Alloa Athletic manager is a regular visitor to football grounds in his role as an SPL delegate.
As such Christie draws up a report for the authorities on various aspects of the matches he has attended, such as organisation, safety, crowd control and any issues arising from them. He said: "I do that
WHAT TERRY DID NEXTTERRY CHRISTIE may have severed his links as a football coach, but he is still heavily involved in management – at Duddingston Golf Club.
once a fortnight. It keeps me in touch with the game and a lot of old friends."
Christie admitted, though, that after 43 years in football – he started as a player with Dundee – he doesn't miss those Tuesday and Thursday night training sessions in all weathers he endured both as a part-time player and manager.
"I finished as a manager in 2000 and I don't miss those nights at all. I've done my bit."
Alan "Nipper" LawrenceMade 102 appearances for Christie's Meadowbank Thistle before moving on to Dundee, Airdrie, Hearts, Partick Thistle, Stenhousemuir, Cowdenbeath and Arbroath. Currently coach of Junior side Bathgate Thistle.
Darren JacksonScored 22 goals in 48 appearances for Meadowbank Thistle, prompting a dream move to Newcastle United. He went on to play for Dundee United, Hibs, Celtic, Hearts, Livingston and St Johnstone. Also turned out 28 times for Scotland, including at the 1998 World Cup finals in France, scoring a total of four goals.
Kenny MillerA former pupil of Musselburgh Grammar School, he joined Hibs before making a £2million move to Rangers in 2000. Wolves paid £3m for his services but he joined Celtic at the end of his contract under freedom of movement. But with just seven goals in 33 games for the Hoops, he moved on to Derby County for £3m. Miller, pictured right, has scored 11 goals in 36 games for Scotland.
Colin NishLike Miller, a former pupil at Musselburgh Grammar where Christie was head teacher. Joined Dunfermline on leaving school, spent spells on loan at Alloa and Clyde, before leaving on a free transfer in 2003. Signed for Kilmarnock and joined Hibs for £100,000 in January.
