Hibs signing shares the Champions League experience that helped seal Easter Road transfer move
The midfielder has shared how his Champions League experience has shaped him for life at Hibs.
Miguel Chaiwa says a Champions League battle at Celtic Park provided him a Scottish football insight - and now hopes to step into a UEFA league phase with Hibs.
The Zambian international impressed from the start against Livingston on Sunday as David Gray’s side won 2-0 at the Premier Sports Cup’s last 16 stage. He will now aim to get involved in two key games on the continent for the Premiership side, facing Polish heavyweight Legia Warsaw in a Conference League play-off double header. Chaiwa is armed with European experience from time at previous club, Young Boys.
He featured in last season’s league phase in the Champions League for the Swiss team and played at Parkhead against Celtic earlier this year in that competition. Chaiwa says that match helped give him a Scottish football sneak peek ahead of his summer transfer decision over Hibs, as he hopes for progress to the Conference equivalent this term.
How Celtic Park game helped Hibs signing make transfer decision
The 21-year-old said: “Yeah, because last time when we played in the Champions League against Celtic, I had an idea of how they play. I had to follow them during their games in the Scottish league. So I had an idea of it. It gives me a lot of challenges because as a player I need to work on my mistakes. So I have big, big tasks ahead of me.
“It has helped me a lot. We played good teams in the Champions League. I've got one or two experiences playing against top teams, so it was a really, really good platform for me. You know how football is. We just need to work hard. But I'm really, really excited. I'm hoping to help the team and my teammates like they did on Sunday. I'm really, really excited to be involved."
As debut games go, away at Livingston in the heat and on Almondvale’s plastic pitch proved a tough start to life in Scotland. It left Chaiwa breathless but he is happy to get going, and wants to contribute more at Easter Road. He said: “I might say quite amazing. Looking at it, it was a really, really beautiful atmosphere and really, really amazing for me. I was so happy to start my first game and I had to give everything, so during the time we were playing in the game, I decided I just really need to give everything for the fans and for the club.
Miguel Chaiwa on Hibs debut
“It's quite exhausting! Duels, aerial balls, running up and down. You have to enjoy it in the moment. It's football, the way it is, you have to choose a new environment. For me, Hibs were interested and it was a passion for me to play in the Scottish league. Looking at how they play, it's the kind of style that I play. So I decided to come here.
“In terms of Scottish football, it's about the environment and looking at the infrastructure and everything. It's quite a good league for me. It's extremely amazing, looking at how they welcomed me. They always encourage you to work hard and they are willing to help you in any situation. It's a really, really good thing to be at Hibs."
Chaiwa is aware of club record signing Thibault Klidje from time playing against him in the Swiss League, the striker previously being at Luzern before arriving at Hibs in this window. His new teammate has backed him to become a hit in Leith, commenting: “We played against each other. I knew him personally; he's one of the good guys and has a little bit of shyness in him. But I know what he's capable of doing. He's energetic. He can run, he can jump – even though he's short. But he's willing to give everything. I think he will do well at Hibs once he gets a run of games, absolutely."