DON'T BE A MUG LIKE I WAS ANT; Marinello fires warning to Stokes.

Byline: JULIAN TAYLOR

PETER MARINELLO dazzled his way through a glittering early career only to become blinded by the bright lights.

Like so many players whose talent for living the high life threatened to overshadow their ability on the park, it wasn't long before darkness descended and all hope was extinguished.

As a lifelong Hibee, the man dubbed Scotland's George Best has seen Anthony Stokes stumble into the same trap that left the Edinburgh-born star hemorrhaging his lifeblood.

The 21-year-old Irishman is alleged to have been caught up in a nightclub fracas hours after he banged a double against St Johnstone two weekends ago.

Marinello saw the headlines and winced. And it left him feeling as if he was reading a chapter in his own life story.

Sessions

The former Hibs and Arsenal winger said: "If you're not doing the right things and you go over the top on the nights out you always get found out.

"Young players just can't get away with fooling around off the field these days. We've all gone through it, whatever the era.

"With the rewards so high, it's much harder now to go out as a player and enjoy yourself. Also, Edinburgh is not like London so every single move you make is reported.

"Players train a lot more now, perhaps two or three times a day, so maybe John Hughes will start giving him harder sessions if he thinks he needs it." Marinello and Stokes have experienced a similar career path, albeit their journeys begun at opposite ends.

While Marinello started out at Easter Road before becoming British football's most expensive signing at pounds 100,000 in 1970 when he joined Arsenal, Stokes has gone from North London to Leith with a few stopovers on the way.

Marinello still follows the team he has always supported - even if he did play with arch-rivals Hearts near the end of his career - and has been impressed with Stokes.

And while the 59-year-old advises the young striker to keep his head down, he doesn't expect him to lead a monk-like existence.

Marinello said: "Players still have to enjoy themselves and Anthony is young enough, so if he scores a few goals for Hibs he'll be all right so long as he's sensible.

"I've liked what I've seen of him and Hibs in general.

"It's a very attack-minded team, with good players such as Stokes, Derek Riordan and Colin Nish all offering different kinds of threat."

Marinello has tipped his old club for a top-four finish - even though main marksman Steven Fletcher is no longer at Easter Road.

He said: "Everyone can see Hibs aren't as defensively-minded as they could be - especially when you look at the Cup game against St Johnstone.That will be a worry for the fans.

"And yes you can say Hibs are weaker now Fletcher has gone. I liked him - he was a player who linked up moves as well as being a good goalscorer but I suppose you can't turn down the money.

"Hibs have been a selling club for so long now. It was the same even way back when they sold me to Arsenal and it's a real shame for the fans.

"But they have always had a knack for producing a conveyor belt of talent and it's great Riordan is there, as his speed and eye for goal always make Hibs a very attractive team to watch. I think Hibs can definitely finish in the top four."

CAPTION(S):

HIGHBURYS AND LOWS: Marinello led a chequered life as title of his book suggests STOKES ARE HIGH: The striker has hit three goals for Hibs already since signing on at the start of the season