HIBS fans turning up at the club's Easter Road shop for the launch of the new home and away kit were treated to a surprise as they found boss John Hughes behind the counter.
The newly-appointed manager insisted on helping out as supporters flocked to snap up next season's strips, spending more than two hours not only serving customers but signing autographs and posing for photographs.
One of the first to come face to
face with Yogi was George Craig from Trinity, who was stunned to find himself handing over his credit card to the new boss after popping in to buy strips as a surprise for his two grandsons.
He said: "It was the last thing I expected, to find the Hibs manager serving me and I was joking with him that if things didn't go well that's where he could find himself ending up.
"But seriously, it's a great appointment, one for the fans. Yogi had Falkirk playing good football and their record in the Cups last season was exceptional. Hopefully, he can go one step better in the Scottish Cup now he's back home.
"You could sense a real buzz about the place, everyone was delighted to see him helping out but that's the sort of guy he is, a man of the people who is perfectly at home among the supporters."
Alex Gillies from Granton turned up to buy a first Hibs strip for his five-month old son Caleb and was similarly impressed by Hughes' willingness to meet and greet the supporters.
He said: "Yogi's a great guy, he's already said he wants to get the fans involved, to open the club up to them and let them see what's going on behind the scenes in training and the like.
"He's a Leith guy and it seemed as if he knew virtually everyone personally. I think he'll be a fantastic manager for us. I watched Falkirk play Rangers off the park in the Cup final the other week and, if he can get us playing like that, then we'll do well."
While Yogi was delighted to sign the numerous new shirts – many of which bore the legend Hughes No.5 on the back – he found himself agreeing to one bizarre request, to apply his name to the side of Les Glasgow's van.
The Restalrig window cleaner said: "Yogi has been my hero for years. I'd come up to get my season ticket so, after he autographed that, I cheekily asked him to sign my van. I never thought he'd do it but he came outside and did so. I'm going to apply a coat of varnish over it so it isn't washed off but I think I'll be keeping out of Gorgie for the next wee while!
"Hearing Yogi was going to be our new manager has made me excited about football for the first time in ages.
"We know what we are going to get from him and that all the young players we have will be given their chance."
Among the many familiar faces wishing Hughes all the best was an old friend from his playing days, Scott Fraser, a founding director of Hibs' new sponsor, Edinburgh property investment firm McEwan Fraser. He said: "Yogi and I played together at Berwick Rangers under Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown.
"People forget he was something of a striker back then, although he could also play centre-half.
"He was a great guy to have in the team, a great character, as enthusiastic then as he still appears to be now.
"Yogi wasn't long at Berwick before he went to Swansea and then Jim and Billy brought him up to Falkirk. I wouldn't say we were the best team in the world at Berwick but we had a great bunch of lads and, as a group, we kept a look out for Yogi and a couple of others who moved on.
"You always wanted to know how they were getting on but I don't think either of us envisaged our paths crossing again under these circumstances. It's a strange coincidence, my firm as new sponsors and Yogi as the new manager but it is a positive coincidence.
"His arrival has given the whole place a lift as you could see by the reaction of the fans in the shop. He's got a real infectious enthusiasm which rubs off on everyone and I think we are all looking forward to the new season. Serving behind the counter just shows the sort of guy that Yogi is. I'm told he volunteered to do so and the fans loved him for it."
