Hibs keeper in Hearts title 'calamity' claim as Easter Road favourite addresses Celtic clash question
Rivals could make history in club’s 150th anniversary season - whatever Hibs do tomorrow
Easter Road fan favourite Jordan Smith insists he has no desire to see Hibernian’s 150th anniversary celebrations ruined by a historic title win for their old rivals. But the veteran goalie says he’s taking fan demands for a home loss against Celtic tomorrow with “a pinch of salt” – because there’s no chance of the players lying down against the reigning champions.
Smith, who revealed that he’d gone for a “nervous wee” just before being thrown into the fray as a substitute following Raphael Sallinger’s early red card in last weekend’s derby defeat, has his own reasons to crave a stand-out performance tomorrow. Back in the team after 225 days as back-up, he wants to reclaim his place as No. 1.
In that context, he sees little room for mixed emotions ahead of this game. And believes all of his team-mates will be united in pursuit of a victory – whatever that does to the title race.
Former Nottingham Forest keeper firm on big issue
Asked if it was an insult for anyone to even suggest that Hibs would lie down, the former Nottingham Forest keeper said: “Well, yeah, a little bit. Obviously, they've got the reasons behind it and I totally understand it.
“I was at Nottingham Forest for years and it was a calamity when Derby finished higher in the league than Forest did. That was a disaster.
“So, I totally understand it. But I think certainly the rational ones will understand that we're going to go out there and try and win the game. I think it's probably said a little bit tongue-in-cheek.
“I’m majorly in the camp that I don't want Hearts to win the league. That wouldn't be great. Certainly in our 150th year, it certainly wouldn't be great. I understand it.
“But it's taken with a little bit of a pinch of salt if I'm being honest. Because I certainly think if we went out there on Sunday and threw the game, I think that speaks an awful lot more about our character than what they're asking us to do.
“It’s a bit of a frustrating situation we find ourselves in. Obviously, we've got our own targets and goals that we want to achieve this season and, ultimately, that is going to come from winning as many games as possible and that's what we're going to try and do.
“In a perfect world, we win on Sunday and it doesn't help Hearts’ chances to go on and win the league. It's a difficult circumstance we find ourselves in but that's probably one that we've put ourselves in from not getting results at certain times this season. So, yeah, I'll be out there trying to do my best for the team this Sunday regardless.”
Emergency toilet break needed before derby SOS
Revealing how he’d been caught short – literally – when Sallinger was shown the red card in last weekend’s agonising home loss for nine-man Hibs, Smith relived the moment when he realised he’d be getting thrown back into action for the first time since September, revealing: “I’ll be honest, the first thing I thought was: ‘I need the toilet.’ As daft as it sounds, I always take my time, done the warm-up, I'm in a bit later, because I've done the shooting with the boys.
“With it being the derby, I knew there was tifos, and the fans had put on a good display for us, so I made sure I came out as early as I could. And then, obviously, that happens.
“We've got the iPad at the side, so we can have a bit of a quick look, albeit it doesn't impact the decisions, it's just for us to see, and more for the coaching staff. And play continued for nearly a minute, or whatever it was, whilst there was a stoppage, so they could have a look.
“So, Sammy (goalie coach Craig Samson) just turned around to me, and said: ‘Be ready here, because he thought that there's a chance they're at least going to look at it.’ So, I nipped down and did my nervous wee!
“That's probably why I wasn't so nervous coming on the pitch, I'd already done my nervous wee! But everything happens so quickly. It's a flash in the pan.
“There was still an awful lot of time to play in the game. So it was just a case of trying to be calm amongst the chaos and sort of stifle them, really, until we had a chance to regroup.”
Smith took over from a struggling Josef Bursik at a vital stage last season, helping Hibs recover from a horrific start to the campaign to finish third with a game to spare. He started the current campaign in possession of the starting spot between the sticks, playing in all three European ties before being replaced by Sallinger in January.
Battling for No. 1 jersey
Asked outright if he saw the Austrian’s suspension as a chance to reclaim the jersey, Smith said: “I’d be lying if I said I didn't. The manager's got the hardest job in football in terms of number one, keeping everyone happy and then number two, picking a side.
“But the reason for that is you've got a squad of players where everyone wants to play. I’m certainly no different in that. I absolutely loved last season and the beginning of this season and everything that that brought in terms of being on the pitch and the emotions that that carries with the success that we had and then the heartbreak that we had.
“That's the best bit about being a footballer, to be honest. It's a little bit difficult at times when you're on the bench because you don't quite feel as much a part of it.
“But I'm a big advocate for the goalies' union and I'm a big advocate for being a squad player. I know how important it is to be in the best mood and as professional as you can be for everyone else. So that's what brings you the success. That's why I enjoy being in a team sport.
“I think I'm guaranteed this game on Sunday. So just did myself no harm last weekend. Try and play as well as I can again this weekend and then what will be will be.
“It's up to the manager again. But yeah, ultimately, I'd love to play as many games as possible. So if that gives me the opportunity to prove myself to be into the end of the season, then fantastic.
“I've been a No.2 for a long time and, if anything, it's been harder this time because I got the taste of it in terms of playing week in, week out and having that success as well. So you feel like top of the world when everything's going well and you're playing.
“So I'd be lying if I said it wasn't difficult to come out of the team. But as I said, it's a team game. There's only 11 players that can play.
“Certainly in the modern day game, there's more subs than ever before and there's even lads who's in the squad now who unfortunately miss out on match days who work hard every week.
“But I just think it'd be a massive disservice if I just threw the toys out the pram and didn't do what was asked of me and didn't act professionally because, ultimately, I'm contracted by the club to do that.”