New Hibs’ on-loan signing Jason Naismith has revealed that he didn’t need to speak to his friend and former team mate John McGinn before deciding to move from Peterborough United to Easter Road.
The 25-year-old had to go to St George’s Park – England’s luxurious training base – where Hibs’ Head of Sports Medicine and Science, Nathan Ring, was working with the Three Lions’ Under-21s and after a medical he was delighted to return to Scotland after successful spells with formative club St Mirren and Ross County.
He is now looking to be part of the squad for the next league game at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock.
The full-back told Hibernian TV: “I didn’t need to phone John. (McGinn) It’s Hibs – you don’t need a sales pitch. You’re desperate to come. I didn’t even tell John. I’m superstitious like that! I wanted it to go through and I was worried if I told someone it wouldn’t. John messaged me on my way to the medical and he’s delighted for me.
“I’ve known John since we were 10-year-olds at St Mirren. We grew up together and saw each other pretty much every day. We’re good pals but he’s put a bit of pressure on me with that tweet saying I’m a top player!
“Coming from him it’s a great compliment. He’s done unbelievably well for himself and he is a hero here at Hibs. If I can achieve half of what he did here then I’ll leave with my head held high.
“I was at St Mirren when he came here and I thought it was a good move. So it proved. He won the Scottish Cup and it took him to the next level. Hopefully it can happen for me as well.
It was a stressful day – it seemed to be on then off, on then off. I think I lost a few hairs on my head over it, just trying to get it done. Thankfully the two clubs got there in the end. I had to meet Nathan at St George’s Park for the medical, which is two hours away from Peterborough.
“It was a case of agreeing everything in principle and then trying to get here. It’s not the easiest place to get to and there were diversions on the road. I thought someone was trying to wind me up but I eventually got there. It was some place but the important thing was that I passed the medical and everything got agreed.
“I’m a fully committed defender. I’ll get stuck in on a Saturday and give everything for the badge. Hopefully I can contribute going forward as well and keep lots of clean sheets.
“The boys have all made me feel welcome. It’s just good to be back in Scotland. It’s a really talented squad so hopefully we can kick on and do well. The international break has come at a good time to get to know everyone and the surroundings, to bed myself in. I’ll be raring to go for the Kilmarnock game.”
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.
