Jason Naismith didn’t need advice from John McGinn to join Hibs

Jason Naismith
Hibernian are pleased to have concluded the season-long loan signing of Jason Naismith, The 25-year-old joins us from parent club Peterborough United, and will be a familiar face to supporters after successful stints with formative club St Mirren and Ross County.

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.”