Hibs youngster Kanayo Megwa makes 'biggest game of our lives' claim as he speaks on first-team involvement

Hibs defender Kanayo Megwa insists he is fully focused on breaking into the Easter Road first team, after making the bench for two recent cinch Premiership fixtures.

The versatile defender, who can play as a full-back, or centre-half, was an unused substitute for the 3-0 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle and the 2-2 draw with Dundee United last weekend.

He has progressed rapidly since joining the club’s under-18s and playing a big part in the side’s title win last year. This season he got gametime against Middlesbrough and Raith Rovers in the mid-season friendlies during the World Cup break and has tasted European football against Molde and Nantes.

Next month sees Borussia Dortmund visit the Capital for the single-leg UEFA Youth League play-off clash and the 18-year-old is desperate to keep improving, with one eye on sustained senior involvement and the other on facing the Germans.

Kanayo Megwa warms up ahead of the Edinburgh derby

“I’ve been loving it at Hibs. Ever since I came here, I’ve become more and more comfortable with the rest of the team and all the coaches and I am really enjoying my football at the moment,” Megwa told the club’s website.

“Training with the first team has been really good as well. It’s a whole different tempo, but it’s great to see what kind of level you need to be at to make it in the team. The standard of everything is much higher, there’s no margin for error and it’s obviously much more physically demanding too. My main goal is to be in the first team on a regular basis so it’s been great to be involved.”

Megwa will likely line up at centre-back alongside Jacob Blaney when Dortmund come to town, and both stoppers will get more gametime in Hibs’ reserve matches between now and February 7, after featuring in the 2-0 victory over Dundee United earlier this week.

“Steve Kean and Gareth Evans told us to have the Dortmund game in the back of our minds against Dundee United, so it was good to get the win and a lot of confidence. We’re all really excited for the Dortmund game – it’s probably the biggest game of our lives. It’s a great chance for us to try to go further in the tournament but also to challenge ourselves and progress as players,” he added.