Top line summary

  • 'Zero knowledge' of Forfar, but will treat them the same as Celtic or Rangers.
  • 'David v Goliath' experience in Portugal.
  • Mental struggle at missing Marbella camp
  • Highlights from Dubai training retreat

Jair Tavares spoke to the media ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup fourth round tie away at Forfar Athletic. Here's everything he had to say...

Tell us all you know about Forfar...

"To be fair, I have zero knowledge of Forfar. The only thing that I know is that it's very far from Edinburgh, and it's very cold right now. We've been practicing and preparing for the game. We did analysis of them. We know sometimes when the bigger teams play a lower league team, sometimes they relax a little bit. That's what we can't do. We have to take the game seriously, like it's a normal league game."

Is this your Scottish Cup debut?

"It will be my first Scottish Cup game, yes. For me, with all due respect, it's just one more game. Playing against Forfar, I will prepare the same way as if I play against Celtic, Rangers or Hearts. I have to be focused and try to play at a good level and help the team."

READ MORE: Hibs boss on Amos trial and 'statement' signing Maolida

What experience do you have of cups, or David vs Goliath stuff from Portugal?

"The second league in Portugal is a very good league. It's very hard, especially with the Benfica B Team. We were very young, normally the youngest in the league, and we had to play against a lot of good players with more experience in the top league and abroad."

Was the Dubai trip decent?

"We treated it like we have to keep going and prepare for the second half of the season. It was more of the same. Dubai was almost like our training here. It definitely helped to build team spirit. It's always good to be around your team-mates, especially for a week. We all have a good relationship, on and off the pitch. These trips are very good for that."

Do you feel more involved now?

"Even when I was out of the team, I never felt completely out of it because the boys were always talking to me and supporting me. I never felt properly out of it. I was down when I missed the Marbella trip, really down. I was training with the development team.

READ MORE: Maolida scout report: What ex-Lyon prodigy can bring to Hibs

"That made me realise football is not easy. Most people think that football players just have a good life. Money, cars, whatever. But they don't know what we really have to go through. Sometimes you have low moments, big moments and you have to take those and keep working hard."

Are things better now?

"Mentally I was devastated at that time. But I always thought my opportunity would come. When they were in Marbella, I was training hard with the young lads. Of course, I didn't want to be here. I wanted to be in Marbella with my team. I kept it real and kept working hard."

Any fun times in Dubai?

"We had two sessions a day. We didn't have much time to go out and enjoy the city. It wasn't a holiday, we all took it very seriously. I don't play FIFA, I don't like FIFA! I do play Call of Duty. I took my PS5 and was playing and insulting my friends back in Portugal. I was rooming with Elie Youan. I was the boss in that room."