By MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
3 November 2009
FORMER Hibs star Paul Kane today insisted it was business as usual after vandals targeted his Capital pub just three months after he took over.
The Four in Hand on Easter Road had every one of its windows smashed shortly after 4:30am yesterday.
Vandals also covered the outside walls, windows and pavement in blue paint, which could be seen trailing down Easter Road.
The former midfielder, 44, said the attack was a "mystery", but insisted he would not allow any disruption to his new business.
He said: "I got a call at 4:30am when the alarm went off and when I came down the place was secure, so it must have happened after that. I'll have to call my staff and the guy that was on and see what happened, but it's a complete mystery.
He added: "I just want to get everything cleared up and get back to normal – we'll definitely open as usual."
One neighbour, who lives above the pub, said she was shocked by the attack.
She said: "I didn't hear anything but my boyfriend said he was woken up by banging during the night. I can't quite believe it, there's been no trouble or anything before."
The pub is a favourite haunt of Hibs fans, where punters stand a chance of rubbing shoulders with sporting heroes.
Former Hibs stars Pat Stanton and Jimmy O'Rourke have been known to frequent the pub, as well as The Proclaimers.
Hibs legend Stanton, who also managed the club in the early eighties, said the vandalism was "a terrible shame", adding: "The pub is key meeting place for Hibs fans, and fans of any colour, being so close to the ground.
"It a shame for Paul though as he's only had the pub for three months. I'm sorry to hear it's been vandalised."
The pub was previously owned by Kenny McLean Jr, whose father and namesake was the former Hibs vice-chairman who played a leading role in the fight to stop Wallace Mercer buying the club in the 1990s. McLean sold the pub, along with the rest of his Brackens Inns chain, to Caledonian Heritable in 2006.
While the company stayed true to its pledge to maintain it as a Hibs fan pub, Kane's purchase restored its long-standing association with the club.
A police spokesman said: "Police are investigating an incident of vandalism.
"Anyone who witnessed the pub being vandalised should contact police immediately."
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