Pat Stanton is confident that his surname will soon cause a stir around Easter Road once again following the emergence of teenager Sam Stanton at Hibernian.

The pair are not related, but Pat has still taken a keen interest in the development of his namesake, who made his senior debut in the defeat by Celtic on Sunday.

The young midfielder made a positive impression at Easter Road and might have marked the moment with a goal had it not been for a spectacular save from Fraser Forster. It has been quite a rise for a player who only made his first-team debut two years ago, aged 17.

He is not old enough to remember the days when Pat Stanton reigned at Hibs, then. It is now four decades since he was a prominent part of the side which became known as Turnbull's Tornadoes and the former midfielder has begun to follow the latest Hibs prodigy with keen interest.

"I thought he did very well. To have made his first start for the Hibs against the champions, he can be very pleased with how he played," said Stanton of a player who has also made 15 appearances as a substitute this season. "He showed he can handle playing from the start and what will do his confidence no end of good is that the manager has shown that faith in him, which is a big thing for a young player.

"He just needs to keep it going and make sure he listens to people's advice. If he does I think he can have a bright future in the game."

Some of that advice has come from the elder Stanton, who still spends time at Easter Road on match days. "I've spoken to him a few times, when I've seen him at the stadium and at the training centre," said the 69-year-old. "He's a level-headed laddie and he's got every chance to make it. I'd like to say I don't look out for him more than the others but you can't help noticing the name."