Why Josh Campbell is at a crucial stage of his Hibs career

How has pre-season been so far under David Gray?

"Expectedly tough - I knew it was going to be tough. He's watched pre-seasons before and they are tough drills. I had a heads-up what was coming and I've told a few boys. Some of them were still shocked and it's been a tough week already.

Are you excited to work under him?

"I'm very excited. I'm a massive fan of the gaffer. We've got a good relationship. He's always been someone to stick his neck out on the line for me. I'm just buzzing to get the season going.

How did he stick his neck out for you?

"Just if you're a young boy coming through, and with a couple of injuries he was always the one going to the managers trying to get me a wee game or a couple of minutes. And he always said that to me. It's vice-versa, we've always believed in each other and I'm just looking forward to it."

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You must've been delighted when you found out he got the job...

"I was on holiday. I might have had a cocktail in my hand when I found out. It made my holiday a lot better. I've trained with the gaffer when he was playing and then as a coach. I've had both sides of him. I'm happy for him. He knows exactly how the club is run, in and out, and there's no better manager to take the club forward now than him."

Have you seen that development in him working under several other managers?

"He knows that the best but from my personal view, he has learned from a lot of different managers. We've had lots of different people come in the building who've wanted to play different philosophies and he's learned from everyone. And he knows how the club is run."

Are you happy to see Jake Doyle-Hayes back?

"Jake is one of my best mates and I'm just delighted for him to be back out running, tackling people, shouting again. Moody little b*****d that he is! It's difficult for him, he's obviously had a really tough injury that keeps coming back. And when people become injured like myself and then come back on the pitch, it's difficult for him. I'm delighted he's back out there and you can see what he adds to the team, the intensity and his quality is just brilliant."

Have you been able to help him along the way?

“Yeah, he was a bit down when I came in injured, so it’s nice to have a good mate in there with you. We’re both using the boxing bags and the weights together, so I think it gave him a wee lift to get back on the pitch.”

It must say a lot about him that he's taken all these knocks and keeps coming back...

“He’s a warrior. An Irish warrior. I’m just delighted that he’s back and he’ll add real quality to the team. We had wee competitions on the walk bike – who could go the furthest, who could run the furthest, sit-ups, who can lift the heaviest weights and all that stuff. Those little things get that bit of a belief back into him to get him back on the pitch. Tell you the results? Nah, I’ll let him do that.”

You wore the captain's armband against Edinburgh City on Saturday, that must have meant a lot?

“Yeah I had no idea I was getting it. I’ve been at the club a long time so to wear it is a real privilege. I found out back at Easter Road when we were having a meal. The gaffer put the teams up and just said ‘you’ll wear the armband today and lead the boys. I believe in you and you need to step up now’. I’m 24 so I’m not a kid anymore, I need to speak up more. I’m just going to relish the privilege."

READ MORE: Every word from David Gray after Hibs beat Edinburgh City

Is this a crucial stage in your career because, as you say, you're no longer a kid in this squad?

“I’ll always feel like I’m a kid around some of these guys. The senior boys who moved on from last year, I felt I was a kid with. Now I need to step up and be a real character in the team. If I’m given the armband I’ll take it at every opportunity."

It seems crucial that other guys now step up to replace Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson...

“You need people to fill those spaces when those big characters leave the changing room. I’ve been there the whole way with both of them – from watching on the sidelines to training and playing with them. Now, I need to step up.

What was the most important lesson you learned from them?

“Leadership. The two of them are big, big leaders. You don’t see it every day but they lead by example. They were the first in the gym, last off the pitch, taking everyone out, getting everyone doing things together."