They're not expecting to be transformed into a team of Kevin de Bruyne’s overnight.
But Scott Allan reckons if Shaun Maloney’s first two days in the Hibs hotseat is anything to go by then the Leith faithful are in for quite a treat.
The former Belgium coach was used to working with some of world football’s biggest names during his previous post assisting Robert Martinez.
He’ll have more modest resources available as he takes his first steps into management at Easter Road.
But Allan has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far.
The new Hibs boss had just two training sessions to work with his new squad ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Aberdeen but the messages Maloney put across were clear and effective and ensured he hit the ground running with a 1-0 win on his dugout debut.
"For everyone it was a good start,” said Allan. “There's a lot to work on in terms of how we want to play.
“I think we saw more than you would expect of that because we've only had two sessions. We have adapted well as a squad to the new changes
"I don’t think the boys are out there thinking they are Kevin de Bruyne! Listen, it's a change for the manager as well.
“It's something we should take in our stride - that experience that he's had and learn from the players that he has worked with.
“Obviously, he will try and implement things from the players that he's learned too and we can just go out and do what we are told."
Allan has already seen a small sample of Maloney’s methods having been on Celtic’s books when the former Hoops and Scotland ace was in charge of the club’s B team during Brendan Rodgers’ Parkhead reign.
Now he’s hoping their previous working relationship will bode well for the future after a frustrating campaign in which he was in and out of previous boss Jack Ross’ line-up.
The signs are certainly looking positive after Maloney’s maiden team selection saw Allan make him his first start since October against the Dons.
“It gives you confidence when a new manager comes in and gives me the nod and we got off to a winning start,” said the 30-year-old.
“It's been an up and down season for me. I've had to come on in games but sometimes I wasn't getting on. In my few starts we've had some decent results so for me it's about keeping myself professional and then when called upon, go out and do a job.
"I've known the manager from my time at Celtic. He was working there with the reserves. Obviously, he sees some of my attributes in the way he wants to play.
"It was good to get the nod because it's been a while since I started a game. I'm happy to get the fitness up and get off to a good start with the win.”
Maloney’s appointment and what was just the club’s third league win since October has helped lift some of the gloom that followed Sunday’s Hampden heartache in the final of the Premier Sports Cup final.
They’re now back in the top six and Allan reckons the new boss will know that’s a minimum requirement.
He said: "The games have come thick and fast so we had to get over Sunday.
“Absolutely [top six is the minimum] with the squad of players we have got. We were on a bad dip and that obviously resulted in the changes. But now it's about looking forward and staying in the top six and getting higher."
