I just wanted to show people in Scotland that the war in Yugoslavia was affecting ordinary people - people like them

Behind the euphoria following Hibernian's first division title win there was one man whose celebrations were tempered by his concerns over the safety of members of his family in war-torn Yugoslavia.

Centre half Alex Marinkov has been wearing a black armband in his last two matches to draw attention to the human suffering caused by the war in the Balkans.

Born in France to Serbian parents, the majority of his relatives are still trapped in the war zone and are in daily fear of death as NATO bombers try to bring down the regime of Slobodan Milosevic.

Two days ago he was told his cousin, Micko Markovic, was missing, the homes of two his uncles in the village of Vlase near the border with Bulgaria had been blown up by NATO bombers, and his nephew, who was trying to move to France to become a professional footballer, had been forced to enlist in the Yugoslavian army instead.

There is a lack of medical aid to help his grandmother, who is very ill, and his parents, Slava and Vinka, who live in France, cannot travel to Yugoslavia to help her because of the war. Another cousin who was called up to the Yugoslavian army has had a nervous breakdown because of the pressure and has been sent home.

On top of that, Marinkov, whose parents moved to France because of their hatred of the Communist regime in Yugo- slavia under Tito, is struggling to get information out of Serbia and said that the whole community near Nis, where the majority of his relatives live, is in constant danger.

Marinkov admits that his life in Edinburgh and his time with Hibs is a world away from what members of his family are going through back in Serbia and wearing his black armband was a protest to show how ordinary people can be caught up in a war not of their making.

He first wore the armband in a 3-1 win over Raith Rovers in a match attended by Government Ministers Gordon Brown and Henry McLeish, but insists his protest, which also took place in a home game against St Mirren, was not politically motivated.

''I just wanted to show people in Scotland that the war in Yugoslavia was affecting ordinary people, people like them, who do things like watch football, and people like my nephew, who wanted to become a footballer, not join the army,'' said Marinkov, who has a two-year contract at Easter Road.

''My family is an ordinary one and they do not have much money and I am very worried about them. My concern for them is obviously a big worry for me, but to be honest playing for Hibs helps me take my mind off the problems back in Serbia.

''Before the war began everybody thought I was French rather than Serbian, but once Alex McLeish realised I was a Serb he asked me if I was mentally okay to play and I said I wanted to and I could forget things for two hours.

''Also some of the money I earn with Hibs I will send back to my family to help them in whatever way I can.

''To be honest, I feel in this day and age a war can happen in any country in Europe because nationalism is growing and that is dangerous because people want their own country and don't want to share it with anyone else.''

Marinkov said that television pictures had not shown the true effects of war and how it affected ordinary people in Yugoslavia.

''Sometimes people do not see the reality of war on television and do not get the full picture. It is all a bit difficult to work out what is going on and why it has all happened.

''I can't help thinking of the way I remember the area of Serbia where my family comes from, which is beautiful, and it is sad to think it has been bombed.''

Marinkov has been an ever- present in the Hibs defence since McLeish signed him from Scarborough, who are bottom of the English third division and destined to play non-league football next season. They are lokely to be replaced in the league by Cheltenham, who last night secured promotion by beating Yeovil 3-2.

Before that, Marinkov had had a successful career in the lower divisions in France, gaining promotion five times during his time with Annency, Martigue, Limage, and Raon L'Etape before he moved to England.

Like many foreign players, his only knowledge of Scottish football before he moved here was a slight acquaintance with the Old Firm.

''I had not even heard of Hibs or Alex McLeish before I signed,'' said the big defender, who has been a huge success since his move to Easter Road.

''Like most people I had only heard about Celtic and Rangers and my knowledge of the Scottish game was not very good.

''The only time we ever heard about Scottish football was on a Sunday evening sports programme when they showed the goals from Scotland but apart from that we had no information.''

According to Marinkov, Scottish football is much faster than it is in France where possession play is the order of the day.

He said he felt that the Scottish players were much more passionate in their approach and much more attack minded with the ball moving quickly from defence into attack.

''Back in France things are much more compact with not much space between the attack and the defence.

''In Scotland things are more spread out and the midfield players have to run much more, sometimes covering 40 yards or so to start moves or support the attackers.''

Although he had not heard of McLeish before he arrived in Scotland, Marinkov said that as a fellow centre-half he had given him some of the best advice of his career.

''Never before at a club have I been given such good information on where to take up position during a game, how to cancel out runs, and how to tactically make sure I am in the correct positions.

''Also, Alex has the team trying to play passing football from the back, which is the best way to play and the way to win games.''