Hibs' John Collins Rejects QPR Approach

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The Scotsman - Collins rejects approach from QPR - GLENN GIBBONS
John Collins confirmed yesterday that he has rejected an approach from Queens Park Rangers. The London club had targeted the Hibernian manager as the successor to John Gregory, who was sacked last week as a result of QPR's plunge to bottom of the Championship in England.
Collins, who is contracted to Hibs until 2009, admitted there had been contact between Loftus Road and Easter Road, but insisted that he had no intention of terminating his agreement before it had run its course.
"There was something," said Collins, "but it was just a phone call. But that's done, it's in the past and it won't be happening. I have a job to do here and I intend to see it through. My contract covers the rest of this season and the following year.
"I never broke a contract during my playing career, and I've no intention of doing so now."
It seems certain that QPR, now in the ownership of the Formula 1 magnate, Bernie Ecclestone, and his partner, Flavio Briatore, owner of Team Renault, could have been in a position to make Collins a lucrative offer.
Ecclestone and Briatore are reportedly willing to bankroll the club to the tune of £40 million in an effort to rescue them from their present plight. QPR were the last team in Britain to open their win account this season.
The approach from London amounts to a tribute to the work Collins has done in less than a year at Easter Road, winning the CIS Cup and leading Hibs to an undefeated start to the current league campaign. It is also confirmation that the manner in which he faced down the player revolt earlier this year has made an impression on prospective employers.
There seems little doubt that there will be more predators in the future. Scotsman

Daily Mail - Hibs boss Collins turns down QPR job
Hibernian boss John Collins has turned down an approach from managerless QPR.
Collins, 39, is approaching the end of his first year in charge of the Easter Road club, during which he has steered Hibs to a CIS Insurance Cup triumph.
They are unbeaten after nine matches of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season, and in second place.
Collins emerged as a possible contender for the Loftus Road job following John Gregory's exit.
New Hoops chiefs Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore are seeking a high-profile appointment but Collins insists he is committed to Hibernian.
He said: "There was something, but it was just a phone call. But that's done, it's in the past and it won't be happening.
"I have a job to do here and I intend to see it through."
Former Scotland midfielder Collins is contracted to Hibernian until the end of next season, and he added: "I never broke a contract during my playing career, and I've no intention of doing so now. Mail

See Also: The Times, October 11 "Bernie Ecclestone Targets Collins"