'Anyone can win it' SPFL title claim - Hibs hero stresses 'opportunity' at top end of Scottish Premiership
David Gray’s men aiming to build on beating leaders Hearts with home win over Aberdeen
Derby hero Josh Campbell believes Hibs are one of several teams capable of capitalising on increased competition at the top end of the Scottish Premiership, with the impact sub answering title challenge talk by declaring: “Anyone can win it.” And Campbell has revealed details of gaffer David Gray’s message to players after Saturday’s stunning 3-2 home win over Hearts.
The attacking midfielder, an early substitute as Nicky Cadden succumbed to a recurring calf problem, scored with a beautiful header to put the home side 2-0 up just before half-time at Easter Road. He’s looking to lock down a starting place at home to Aberdeen tomorrow night, as Gray’s men aim to build on their first “statement win” of the season.
Celtic ‘not at their best’
Campbell, asked if Hibs should see opportunity in a title race enlivened by Hearts racing to the top of the table, Celtic faltering, Rangers struggling and Motherwell putting themselves in touch, insisted: "There has to be opportunity for everyone. You look at Hearts, how well they've started.
"And Celtic are not at their best, so anyone can win it. That (Saturday) was a statement win from us - and we need to build on this and hopefully we can climb up that table."
Jimmy Thelin up next at Easter Road
Stressing the importance of backing up the win by beating Jimmy Thelin’s sixth-placed Dons in Edinburgh tomorrow, Campbell said: "Yeah, look, that's the next thing we're looking towards now. We'll obviously enjoy the Hearts result, but then we move straight on to Aberdeen on Tuesday. We'll be working hard and we need to start winning more games of football to climb that table.
"I feel like this league, anything can happen. Last year we won three on the bounce around this time and we shot up the table. We need to fight and beat the teams around us.
“Look, this time last year we were down towards the bottom again. But then this week, I think it was from the Boxing Day, we went three wins on the bounce.
"That probably shot us up to the table - and this could be the start of something like we started last year. I do think we should be higher up the table.
“The gaffer used the word 'statement' before the game. He was saying we've not had a statement win the whole season.
"He said we needed to use that as fuel to win the derby. He then said to the boys after the game: 'We need to build on this.’
"It's about that quality in the final third. We've been in the games against everyone in the league, especially against the big two - Celtic and Rangers. We've took them right to the end and it's just that final bit of quality.
"But against Hearts we found it. Obviously it was a bit hard going towards the end but we're delighted to win."
Lifelong Hibs fan enjoyed dream derby experience
Campbell admitted he’d endured some of the worst and best feelings of his career as he was dropped into the madness of derby day after half an hour – then played a key role in a famous victory, the lifelong Hibs fan saying: “Amazing. It's what you dream of, isn't it? Scoring in a derby at home and then hearing that song (Sunshine on Leith) at the end. That was the icing on the cake.
“I had a slight inkling as I was spoken to before the game about Nicky's calf. So I prepared for the game as if I was starting the game. He went down injured because he was struggling during the week.
"But trying to get up to the speed of a derby when I came on, about 20 minutes in, that's one of the worst feelings in the world - hands down! But I just stuck to what I know and managed to score as well.
"I can't really describe what that felt like. I knew with the quality of Jamie McGrath from the wide area that he would take an extra touch and go by his man.
"I don't know who it was at the front post, but I got ahead of them and just put it into an area. It's hit the post and went in.
“The manager's been out and brought players in, especially McGrath - who's been exceptional. He's been a great signing for us. He showed his quality again.
"I've just been patient and you have to be. You have to train and go to work as if you're about to play every game. Then you get moments like that and if you're called upon, you have to deliver."
Reflecting on the performance against Hearts, Campbell added: “It was a bit nervous coming towards the end. I don't know how that all started, I thought we had total control in the game, especially when we were 3-0 up.
"But big Raphael Sallinger pulled off some big saves. The Lawrence Shankland effort at the front post, that was an incredible save. We worked hard, everyone dug in together and we got across the line."