Hibs’ on-loan striker Jamie MacLaren insists that he wants to stay at club and continue his partnership with Florian Kamberi, despite being contracted to German side Damstadt.
He did however reveal that a clause kicks in should the club be relegated and Damstadt are currently second bottom of the table, three points behind FC St Pauli.
The Australian is hoping to feature in this year’s World Cup in Russia and performances like yesterday’s won’t do his chances any harm.
Remarkably MacLaren almost missed the game due to a stomach bug but after a discussion with Neil Lennon he started up front and opened the scoring midway through the first half after great work by Lewis Stevenson.
He lasted until the 72nd minute before leaving the field to a well-deserved standing ovasion after being replaced by Vykintas Slivka.
Ironically it was the Lithuanian who secured the victory with a near post header moments later and although Celtic pulled one back with six minutes remaining, Hibs held out for the three points.
After the game MacLaren said: “I’d love to keep the partnership with Flo (Kamberi) going. I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly here. Myself and Flo have hit it off. It seems to be that when he doesn’t score I do.
“We compliment each other and I want to continue that, but there are four games to go and that’s all I’m contrated to Hibs for. That’s all I can think about.
“It might come down to Damstadt’s position. If they are relegated a clause kicks in but it is outwith my control.
“I didn’t travel with the boys to the team hotel because I was sick. I had a stomach bug, but I was in touch with the staff saying don’t rule me out.
“I really wanted to play in this game and I woke up on Saturday morning and went for a walk. I felt a little bit better but I had no energy from the start. I wasn’t well but adrenaline kicks in.
“I was honest with the manager before the game. He didn’t want me to let myself or my team mates down so Itold him that I would give him everything for as long as I could.
“He gave me trust and I gave it back. It is important to have a manager who believes in you and Neil (Lennon) does with me.
“He gives everyone a sense of belief whoever you are playing against.
“Celtic will be champions but we were the better side today. We know what’s at stake and it’s important that we keep winning, especially at home.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
