Kyle Magennis admitted that leaving St Mirren was ‘emotional’ but he is ‘buzzing’ to have signed for Hibs.
The Scotland Under-21 international spent an incredible 17-years at St Mirren before following in the footsteps of John McGinn who enjoyed huge success at Easter Road.
Coincidentally Jack Ross gave him his debut against Hibs when he was the ‘Buddies’ boss and has been a long-term admirer of the youngster. He twice had bids for his services rejected by the Saints’ board before an agreement was reached as the transfer window was closing.
Magennis told Hibernian TV: “I’m absolutely delighted. It’s a new start form me and something I needed to do in my career to progress to where I want to be.
“I’d been at St Mirren for 17-years so I think I have left in the best terms I could have. I didn’t fall out with anyone. It was like a family to me. It was like my home so it was emotional to leave but I am buzzing to be here.
“Hibs are a massive club. I could be playing European football next season and possibly finishing third, fourth or second in the league. It’s a massive opportunity.
“If you look at what John McGinn as achieved and that’s the footsteps I want to follow in.
“I know the gaffer (Jack Ross), Craig Samson, the McGinns (Paul and Stephen) and a few of the boys. I’ve played with Porto (Ryan Porteous) for Scotland so you can’t get better than that, joining a squad where you know a few of the boys.
“This is the perfect time to join Hibs. If you look at the squad it’s going to be hard for me to break into the team but hopefully I can show what I can do on the training pitch and hopefully the gaffer believes in me enough to play me in the team.
“I’ve played 45-minutes with the young boys at St Mirren and am feeling fit. I have been fully training for three or four weeks and I’ll be ready if the gaffer wants to put me in.
“It’s been very difficult having to rehab an ACL but I have done a good job and I am sure that I’m fit.
“The physio at St Mirren was brilliant. He facetimed me every morning and made sure that I was doing my stuff and kept me motivated. My brother would come out and help me in the back garden as well. My family supported me and my team mates supported me and it’s feeling good.”
When asked to list his attributes he added: “I’m energetic, aggressive and not scared of a tackle. I like driving forward and I’ve been told that I am a powerful runner, breaking the lines and I’m not scared to hit a shot as well and hopefully I can get more goals.
“There are a few big games coming up so if the gaffer needs me I will be ready.”
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.
