'Emotional' Hibs experience left Boro loanee's family - all TEN of them - basking in Sunshine on Leith
‘It should have been 4-0 ...’ midfielder eager to build on back-to-back wins in Killie clash
Hibs midfielder Dan Barlaser has revealed how his entire family were bowled over by an “emotional” Easter Road derby experience as TEN of the Middlesbrough loanee’s nearest and dearest flocked to Edinburgh for a unique footballing day out. And the Englishman says earning another Sunshine on Leith sing-along with fans is now a personal ambition over the second half of the season.
Barlaser, who said he believed Hibs should have gone 4-0 up in a game that eventually finished 3-2 on Saturday, has returned to top form in back-to-back wins for David Gray’s men, who eased past Aberdeen at Easter Road last night. And the 28-year-old, who played in the 1-0 loss to Hearts at Tynecastle back in October, is revelling in the feelgood factor around his team at the moment.
‘Unbelievable’ scenes after beating Hearts
Speaking after seeing off the Dons last night, Barlaser said: “The emotional high of the derby was unbelievable, obviously. Even looking back to the game at Tynecastle earlier in the season, I thought that should have been a draw, to be honest.
“So we went into the weekend knowing we needed to start well. And we did, didn’t we?
“I think it should have been 4-0, in my opinion. But we got the win in the end, so that’s the main thing.
“The scenes after the game were unbelievable. All of my family were there as well, and they found it very emotional. So did I, when they started playing the song; hopefully I can hear it again here.
“How many family did I have up? Ten … yeah, ten. They were all here for the weekend.
“It was only my mum here tonight for the Aberdeen game! Everyone else has gone home. But yeah, a lot of folk came up for Christmas and really enjoyed the game.
“They loved the game, loved the music. It was very emotional at the end for them, listening to Sunshine on Leith. It was the first time they’d heard it really, so they thoroughly enjoyed it.
“Obviously it was a good few days over the festive period. I was a bit tired, to be honest, after the Aberdeen game – but it was great to get another win after the weekend, even though that took a bit out of us all.”
Momentum building for David Gray’s men
Hibs have just bagged back-to-back league victories for just the third time this season. Despite underlying stats showing plenty of positives, there is an understanding that Gray’s men will need to keep rattling out the wins – Kilmarnock away on Saturday is next – if they’re to get in the mix at the business end of the Scottish Premiership.
“It’s important now to build momentum,” said Barlaser. “But I think we’ve been been actually quite consistent with performances in general.
“I just think we haven't been ourselves in front of goal up until the last two games. But, obviously, we're scoring quite a few goals now, three against Hearts and two tonight.
“So, it kind of seems it's gelling a bit more. But, like I've said before, I think we just need to take it game by game. Obviously, it's a very important game in Kilmarnock away that we can hopefully win.”
Barlaser has slotted into the No. 6 role at Hibs to good effect, with his defensive nous and an ability to pass from deep bringing something different to an all-action midfield. It’s a job he enjoys.
“I’ve found it very good,” he said, adding: “We spoke about a lot today, before the game, about how when we’d played Aberdeen last time, Josh Mulligan was able to run off the back of people with his pace.
“That’s his strength, leaving me just to sit behind the ball. That’s my job, to sit and protect the lads, let the attacking players like Josh go and thrive.”
Top scorers Martin Boyle and Kieron Bowie both missed
Despite losing Kieron Bowie to illness before kick-off and being forced to adjust when Martin Boyle limped out of action with a hamstring problem just after the half-hour mark, Hibs looked really dangerous in the second half of last night’s win. Thibault Klijde, a £1.5 million club record signing who has struggled with injury and form since his summer arrival, scoring the opener was a definite bonus.
Barlaser, thrilled for his team-mate, said: “Aye, he loves scoring against Aberdeen, doesn’t he? That’s two now, right? He’s been really good for us, genuinely.
“Obviously he had a little bit of an injury, didn’t he, with his ankle. That slowed him down a bit.
“But he took his chance very well, didn't he? I think he was a threat. Used his pace well and took his goal very well.
“I can understand people thinking he’s quiet, probably just because his English isn’t great. But he’s quite vocal around the training ground, a good lad. And his goal will really lift his confidence, I think.”