Jojo Wollacott 'ready' to stake Hibs number one claim

With David Marshall out of contract and, until now, non-committal on whether he intends to continue playing, the Ghana international is waiting in the wings for a chance to take the number one jersey. Wollacott was introduced as a half-time substitute during Saturday's 3-0 Premiership victory over Livingston at Easter Road, with Marshall taken off having felt discomfort in his neck.

His replacement made a smart save as Hibs kept a rare clean sheet to move back into the top six with three games remaining until the split. Wollacott has made only three appearances this season, but the 27-year-old says he's been grateful for the opportunity to be understudy to a vastly experienced international keeper.

And, if the chance presents itself this summer, he's keen to take the next step.

“I always have that in the back of my mind," Wollacott said of becoming number one. "You always have to be ready and things change very quickly in football – so you have to be ready for anything.

“If that’s what I’m called to do then, yeah, I’ll be ready for it. Marsh has had such a great career; it speaks for itself. I’m grateful, in that sense, that he can pass knowledge on to me every day.

“I’ve got great respect for him because he’s such a good pro, works hard every day in training, meaning we can push each other. I’m always learning things; you never stop learning as a pro.

“Obviously only one of us can play. So there is an understanding that, whoever is playing, you have to respect that – and you have to support them.

“Because, if I was playing, I would want that from everyone else. So it’s healthy competition. But it’s important that we have a good group who support each other."

It might seem a simple day at the office coming on between the sticks for a side already three goals to the good by the interval, but Wollacott insists it's a test of a keeper's concentration, which he proved with a smart save from Tete Yengi in the opening exchanges of the second period.

"It’s never easy coming on, in any circumstances," he said. "Mentally, you have to adapt to the game, the speed of the game, figuring out where you have to move. It’s never easy getting your positioning right when you come on.

“The early save was one I’m expected to save. That’s what I’m saying about having to be alert and having to be ready.

READ MORE: Hibs boss on Marshall sub, Le Fondre movement, clinical finishing

“Imagine coming on and you’re not in the right mindset, it goes past you, then everyone is saying you weren’t ready to come on. So I’m glad I didn’t have much to do, just a few kicks – but I’m pleased with the performance.

“It’s always good to get a clean sheet, especially for the lads who are running their socks off for the full game. It’s the foundation for a victory.

“Davie was struggling with his neck, mobility wise. I think he was a bit uncomfortable before the game. But every game, I have it in my mind to be ready.

“I think you have to tell yourself that you’re starting, even though you’re not. It sounds a bit crazy, but every player has to prepare that way.

“The gaffer always talks about being ready on the bench, so we can come on and make an impact. So you have to be in the right mindset. And I’m watching everything from the bench, tactically, how they press, the distances between the back four, all the goalkeeping things you need to be knowledgeable on.

“Even if it’s a quiet game, you have to be 100 per cent focused and concentrated, you still want your distances and angles to be spot on, so it still takes a toll on you, physically and mentally, even if you don’t have many saves to make. But David didn’t have to do much."