Soca Warriors coach Russel Latapy has been named alongside former Manchester United star George Best, Scottish legend Gordon Smith and Ally Mcleod as one of Hibernian FC's great players by the Edinburgh Evening News this month.
Almost a decade after he graced the pitches of Scotland for Hibernian FC, Russell Latapy is still being remembered at the club for his splendid displays which saw the club capture the Scottish First Division and enjoy the heights of the Scottish top flight. It has been speculated dating back to 2009 that the likes of Hibernian and Falkirk have considered offering Latapy the position as head coach. When Latapy signed on with the "Soca Warriors" in 2009, his former Hibs teammate John Hughes was given the head coach position at Hibernian.
The Evening News wrote the following on Latapy: "He wasn't called the Little Magician for nothing, and it was the midfield skills of Russell Latapy which ensured he became an instant hero with the Easter Road support." "Tipped off by Tony Rougier, McLeish soon discovered Latapy had quite a footballing pedigree, not only a player with more than 100 caps to his name but someone who had played in the Champions League semi-finals.
And he came with a glowing recommendation from a certain Bobby Robson, his boss at Porto, who, in his own inimitable fashion told McLeish: "Oh, the boy Lapaty (sic). Good little player." And so he proved to be, becoming the First Division player of the year as Hibs strolled to the title, clinched by two Latapy goals against Hamilton at Firhill, although he did miss from the penalty spot.
While many questioned whether his frame could cope with the rigours of the Scottish game, the difficulty for opposition players was even getting close to Latapy who proved he could more than hold his own as Hibs moved back into the SPL. There was a verve and flair to Latapy's play which was complemented by the impressive side McLeish had put together, the Soca Warrior revelling in the big matches, none more so than the Edinburgh derbies.
Astonishingly, Latapy never played in a losing Hibs side against Hearts, ensuring his place in the club's history books as he scored a sensational sixth goal on a date etched in the memory of every Hibee fan, October 22, 2000. A close friend of former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke and cricket ace Brian Lara, Latapy was equally adored at home, his Easter Road teammates realising just how big a star the little man was as he was feted where ever he went as Hibs spent a winter break in Trinidad and Tobago, their arrival met by a steel band and all the local dignitaries.
Stints with Rangers, Dundee United and Falkirk followed and Latapy finally secured a dream which he had pursued for 16 years � to play in the World Cup finals (Germany 2006) � before hanging up his boots.