Josh Campbell Hibs Q&A as midfielder previews St Mirren trip

How essential is a strong start to the season for Hibs?

"It's obvious how bad the start was for us last year and last season was not great for all of us and it's put behind us now. We all know last year wasn't good enough but it's now all about this weekend and trying to get the win."

Have you set yourself targets?

"I've been given targets from people in terms of goals and assists and I did quite well in the cup with a couple of assists. I got a couple of goals last year and the year before that but I want to add assists to my game. I want to be part of everything, I want to be part of that goal-scoring zone, whenever the ball goes in the net I want to be seen in the picture."

How will St Mirren's schedule affect them?

"We did it last year and we know it's tough to play midweek, weekends, midweek and you're travelling."

Is this a big season for you?

"It's massive for me. I need to step up now. I'm not a kid any more, albeit I still feel like I'm a kid around the place! I want to add numbers to my game, I want to be more vocal around the place, I want to help people out and help younger boys like Rudi [Molotnikov]."

You've taken on a leadership role...

"The gaffer has put that pressure on me a wee bit. I've been here long, I know the place. Me and Martin Boyle are the longest-serving players here now and the pair of us have been asked to step up and help the new guys that have come in."

You know Eddie May well - was he here when you first came to the club as a kid?

"That's a good question - he might kill me if I don't know the answer to that! As I said about the manager, he's always been someone who has stuck their head on the line for me. Eddie was that for me when I was younger. I was coming in at 13, 14, training with boys who were 22 years old in the development team. He always pushed me up the age groups when I was younger. He's been like a father figure to me. He's a different guy now, he's changed - he's not as angry! But if you're at the game at the weekend, you'll certainly hear him shouting my name like a dad!"

Is it a positive that there are few new players and familiarity in the squad?

"I've seen it loads in the press about signings - I don't know what's going on. There's a good group here and a lot of players willing to grab that top to play at any moment. If it adds more competition to the team, then perfect."

Has David Gray changed much since becoming head coach?

"I can't call him that name any more - I have to call him gaffer now. That's the thing that's changed the most. He keeps himself to himself a bit more, as a manager would."

You scored your first goal for Hibs away to St Mirren, didn't you?

"Yes, in 2021. I actually think the gaffer was in charge of the game. I was just coming into the team. I'd just played a couple of games. I think we drew 1-1. I started the game, I scored - and then I got a bit excited about scoring and ran about too much. Then he took me off because I was knackered!"

Safe to say you'd run through a brick wall for the gaffer?

"I'll run through a brick wall for anyone that is in charge but he's important because he's done so much for me during my time at Hibs. He's always put his neck on the line for me and put me forward to past managers to play games. I think everyone through there would run through a brick wall for him."

Did he help you set targets?

"I don't normally set targets but he's told me what I need to do. I need to be in that picture for when a goal is scored. If I'm in that picture I can add numbers to my game. I want to add more assists to my game. If I can balance the goals and assists out, that would be perfect for me."

You're very much a number ten now, was that your aim when you were younger?

"Never! I've actually played centre-half most of my time at the club. Under Eddie we won the double with the reserves and I played right centre-half. It's a bit of a change but I don't mind it. I've been working on it on the training ground, sort of cool-headed zone where I can see the ball and receive a pass, and then judge the weight of the pass. That's something I've been working on and it's paying off in the cups. Now I have to take it into the league."

How did you end up changing positions?

"It was Jack Ross. I couldn't believe it - me, a ten! I've had the number 4 or 5 on my back my whole career as a holding midfielder or centre-half. I've adapted to the position now though. I feel like I can thrive in that position now."

Did your loan with Edinburgh City help you adapt? 

"Massively. I went into Edinburgh City thinking I was going to play as a central midfielder ... turned out I was playing left-wing every game. I've now ticked off every position on a football pitch! I saw the game differently, receiving the ball in wide areas, taking on people that you wouldn't normally do as a midfielder. And shooting, crossing all the time. It helped me a lot."

Can playing all the positions you've played help you perform well as a ten?

"Sometimes it helps. I've played right-back a few times and struggled a few times there, but I've just done a job for the team. You get bits and you add them together and it has helped me play as ten. I now know where positions will be on the pitch because I've played them."