Johnstone and Ormond dropped to make way for new 'great' Garry

SMITH, Reilly, Turnbull . . . and that's it. The Famous Five have controversially become three in the otherwise enjoyable new Hibernian Greats book, published by Breedon Books.

Not to be confused with the late Stewart Brown's offering of the same name in the 1980s, former Hibs programme editor Jim Jeffrey has released a contemporary version of ten outstanding players to have graced Easter Road in the past 60 years.

Given the number of celebrated players who have passed through Leith in that time, the selection process for such a book was always likely to be an unenviable one, and Jeffrey has omitted Famous Five pair Willie Ormond and Bobby Johnstone from his final ten. Joining Gordon Smith, Eddie Turnbull and Lawrie Reilly among the chosen ones are Joe Baker, Pat Stanton, John Blackley, Neil Martin, Arthur Duncan, Franck Sauzee and Garry O'Connor. As Jeffrey explained: "My first dilemma was how to treat the Famous Five era. I could have quite easily named all five of that remarkable forward line. However, this would have made for narrow focus and repetition. Nevertheless, I couldn't pick just one player from that era, and in the end I settled on including Gordon Smith, Lawrie Reilly and Eddie Turnbull."

The last two named are still regular visitors to their old stomping ground, and fans of the club are always receptive to tales of their goalscoring exploits and the success they enjoyed with Hibs during the halcyon era of the 1950s. Jeffrey's summary of their careers does not disappoint, and the reader is reminded just how supremely talented Smith, Turnbull and Reilly were, both as individuals and collectively alongside the absent duo from the quintet.

Smith, the only Scottish player to win league medals with three different clubs, is revered as the artist of the Famous Five, Reilly as a prolific goalscorer for club and country, and Turnbull as the powerful, yet always entertaining, "enforcer", who, of course, went on to become a hugely successful manager with the club.

Think of that decade and any Hibs supporter will inevitably think of Stanton, regarded by many as the greatest player at Easter Road in the past 40 years.

Stanton's memories are always a joy to share and Jeffrey wheedles some fresh anecdotes out of the "Quiet Man" from an era where Hibs truly were a joy to watch.

While Stanton pulled the strings from midfield for Turnbull's Tornadoes, "Sloop" John Blackley and Arthur "Nijinsky" Duncan worked diligently for the side and both proved to be great servants to the Edinburgh outfit, Duncan amassing a club record 448 appearances in his 15 years with Hibs, first as a flying winger and latterly at full-back.

Sandwiched between the great 1950s and 70s teams are Baker and Martin, both boasting incredible strike rates for Hibs.

Baker's exploits have been well documented and the term "legend" sits easily next to his name. Martin, on the other hand, was seriously underrated, and many who saw him during his heyday speak of a brilliant, hard-working centre forward.

Martin, who signed for Hibs from Queen of the South, after a bizarre conversation between a journalist and his wife in a Tranent chemist's shop (read the book for the full story!), notched an incredible 53 goals in 65 games for Hibs, and although his stay lasted only three seasons, Jeffrey deserves credit for recognising his contribution.

Sauzee, exuding class as a man and a captain, will be a popular inclusion with present-day supporters. Jeffrey, in his role with the programme, was able to get closer than most to Sauzee during his ill-fated but dignified 69 days as manager, and his personal account is enough to leave a tear in the eye of most readers.

The final chapter focuses on O'Connor, always a capable performer for Hibs and often a derby day hero.

He will be fondly remembered for his goals, and the £1.6m legacy his transfer to Lokomotiv Moscow generated. But to call him a "Hibernian Great"? You decide.

• Do you think the author has hit the mark - or do you think other players were worthy of recognition? Sends us your views by email, along with your name and address, to sport_ts@scotsman.com
The chosen ones

GORDON SMITH
After 310 league games and 126 championship goals with Hibs, Famous Five winger Smith went on to add league winners' medals with Hearts and Dundee to the three he won at Easter Road.

EDDIE TURNBULL
No-nonsense inside forward added muscle to the Famous Five. Later became Hibs manager, his side enjoying League Cup glory in 1972.

LAWRIE REILLY
One of the best goalscorers ever seen at Easter Road. Also boasted a fantastic Scotland career, scoring 22 goals in 38 internationals.

JOE BAKER
Goalscoring phenomenon, infamously shown the door at Easter Road after asking for a £5 pay rise. A tally of 114 goals in 139 league games suggest he was worth it.

PAT STANTON
True Hibs legend who had class and style in abundance. Was the main man in Turnbull's Tornadoes.

JOHN BLACKLEY
Calm personified in defence, 'Sloop's' consistency with Hibs was rewarded with a place at the 1974 World Cup.

NEIL MARTIN
Centre forward hit 53 goals in 56 league games in an all-too-brief stay with Hibs.

ARTHUR DUNCAN
Club record number of league appearances (448). 'Nijinsky' excelled on wing then took over at full-back.

FRANCK SAUZEE
Classy Frenchman was most popular modern-day player, but endured bitter exit after 69 days as manager.

GARRY O'CONNOR
Scorer of many important goals before £1.6m move.

Taken from the Scotsman