Terry Butcher grew to prefer the view from the stand while in charge of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

That vantage point will no longer be mandatory for the Englishman when he assumes control of Hibernian for the first time, with the club having lodged an appeal against a two-match suspension from the Scottish Football Association.

The decision has allowed Butcher to be in the dugout when he begins his reign this afternoon in a match with St Mirren.

The manager had admitted to a breach of discipline while leading Inverness to a Scottish League cup win over Dundee United last month with the SFA alleging "misconduct at a match by failing to behave in a responsible manner as an occupant of the technical area by acting in an aggressive manner towards players of the opposing team". His punishment comprised a two-game touchline ban - one of which is suspended - and a £1000 fine.

Butcher has not taken it sitting down, though. It is understood that both he and the club - whose secretary Garry O'Hagan delivered the necessary paperwork to Hampden just five minutes before the 5pm deadline - were not inclined to allow the 54-year-old to simply watch his inaugural match from the stand and so drew up the appeal. He will now be free to roam the dugout, the tunnel, the dressing room, anywhere he damn well pleases.

A statement from Hibs last night read: "Hibernian can confirm an appeal has been lodged against the decision by the disciplinary tribunal notified against Terry Butcher . . . he will now take charge of [today's] game with the suspension on hold; subject to the appeal."

Should the appeal fail it is likely his ban will be extended, although Butcher will not be short of company in the stand. The former Inverness manager has proven a popular appointment among supporters and there are plans for a group of fans to don green bandages on their heads in a tribute to the new man in charge. It is in reference to an enduring image of Butcher with a blood-soaked bandage on his head, captaining England in a World Cup qualifier against Sweden in 1989.

The tribute would be something to behold, even if Hibs' manager would be inclined to look away "I hope they are not wearing green bandages on their heads, that will be a bit embarrassing," he said.

There have been enough red faces at Hibs already. The Edinburgh side are the lowest-scoring team in the SPFL Premiership - they have scored just nine goals in the league this season, one fewer than bottom side Hearts - a statistic which contrasts markedly with the rich form that Inverness showed under Butcher. The manager has treated it as an affront, too, and has encouraged his players to shoot more often during matches. And starting in Paisley.

"The [new management team] said we're all very good players, we've got a good squad here, but that we're maybe just not playing the right way to get the best out of us and better results," said Scott Robertson, the Hibernian midfielder.

"The main changes will probably come on match-day but the manager is trying to get the mindset right about playing the right way, playing in the right areas and really trying to hurt teams, rather than playing in front of them.

"In his opinion, for all the decent, pretty play we had it was all in front of teams and not hurting teams. He is looking to change that. He's been very positive in his instructions about getting shots away when you get the chance. He's told us there's no point in trying to play that threaded pass if it gets cut out - you might as well have a shot if you're in a decent position yourself.

"We have passed the ball about nicely at times but it's not been effective in terms of scoring goals; we're the lowest scoring team in the league. There's definitely something wrong there on that side of it because we pass it well, at times. Inverness score goals from all over the pitch - centre-backs, full-backs, midfielders and strikers. We're hoping we can add that as well."

There has been something missing for St Mirren too, with the Paisley side eager to put right a statistic that states they have yet to win three league matches in a row since doing so in December 2008. Their last attempt ended in a 4-0 defeat by Dundee United last month but St Mirren will give it another go against Hibs.

Having moved up to eighth place in the Premiership following victories over Partick Thistle and Ross County, Danny Lennon's side have today's opponents in view. "I certainly believe the consistency we have shown is the waywe want to be," said the St Mirren manager. "I have gone on in recent weeks about the inconsistencies that have dogged this club for over 30 years now.

"I believe the players have the mentality to overcome that. That's about working hard for each other, taking care of the little things and showing the determination to turn the poor start to the season we had around. We are a little bit closer to that just now and we have another opportunity to jump another place.

"Hibs are going through a transition period. The slate is wiped clean [at the Edinburgh club] now and everyone will be going out to impress. We must, and we will be, ready for that challenge."