Football: Backlash warning for Kevin.

IAN MURRAY has warned Rangers new boy Kevin Thomson to prepare himself for a furious backlash from Hibs fans when he returns to Leith in four weeks' time.

The ex-Easter Road skipper has advised the pounds 2million signing to look out his flak jacket for the March 4 clash after making a switch to Ibrox.

Murray said: "I've already told Kevin he's going to get stick from Hibs fans. That's normal when you go back.

"He'll find that out sooner than he'd hoped when we go there in a few weeks.

"I've already told him he'll be in for a lot of abuse and he knows it. He's seen it happen before with other players and I'm sure he's mature enough to rise above it all.

"The last few months have been difficult and he's come through that fine so I don't think he should have many worries. Rangers wouldn't have paid pounds 2m if he wasn't going to be an influential player for us and I can see him slotting in fine.

"Hibs can't grumble. It was clear he was leaving and these days pounds 2m is a huge amount of money. It's a good piece of business for both clubs.

"Hibs have done well to get a good deal of money for a player who came through the youth system and who wanted to leave."