Ryan Shanley anticipates coming up against more experienced defenders in the new Reserve League and believes that it will help to improve him as a player.
Hibs’ Reserve home games take place at the Oriam and the Eddie May’s youngsters started the campaign with a comprehensive victory over Partick Thistle on Monday afternoon.
Head Coach Neil Lennon witnessed the victory which will have given him some food for thought with a number of excellent performances on display.
After the game Shanley told Hibernian Media: “The coaches have told us to just win as many games as we can in the Reserve League and try to win the league again.
“They want us to go out and express ourselves in matches and try to perform to the best of our ability too.
“The experience from the first game will help me and I know I will face older players in this league too. Playing against bigger, stronger and older centre-halves will help me to develop as a player.
“My main aim is to just try to play in as many of the Reserve League matches as possible, help the team as best I can and to try and kick on and improve as a player.”
He said: “I think the lads done well against Partick. The second half was better though, I felt we were more into the game.
“In the first half we were maybe a little bit sloppy with the ball, but we definitely improved in the second half.
“For myself personally I’m pleased to have helped with a goal and an assist. It’s good to get off the mark for the season and I’m happy to just kick on from here.”
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.
