Charlton loanee's patience pays off - so do Hibs stick with defender for Easter Road encounter with Hearts?
Addicks boss dropped hint about recalling Mitchell after lack of game time
Hibs defender Zach Mitchell has revealed details of the late call-up that FINALLY saw him make his debut for the first team – four months after making a Deadline Day loan move from Charlton Athletic. And the centre-half, who spent the second half of last season with St Johnstone, admits he’d love to hang onto his place in the starting XI for next weekend’s Easter Road encounter with Hearts.
Mitchell was thrust into the line-up at Tannadice as Warren O’Hora failed to recover from a sickness bug, the 20-year-old Englishman performing well in a 1-1 draw – including getting a vital flick on Nicky Cadden’s corner to set up Martin Boyle’s equaliser. In the wake of Charlton boss Nathan Jones suggesting that he could look at recalling Mitchell in January, citing lack of game time as a reason, the battlefield promotion couldn’t have come at a better time.
“I didn't know until the meeting earlier (on the morning of the game),”said Mitchell, the youngster adding: “You always need to be ready, whether you're not in the team, or you're going to be a sub. You always need to be ready for the opportunity.”
“I’m delighted to make my debut. I think the result was probably a fair representation of the game - but I’m glad I could pull the Hibs shirt on.
“I've had to be patient but the staff have been brilliant and the experience there today has properly helped me through that game. I'm grateful for the opportunity.
“It’s difficult as a player. You always want to be playing and getting game time.
“But I've been learning in other ways, away from the pitch, on the training ground. Like I said, the staff and other players have been brilliant with me so I’m grateful for the opportunity today. Hopefully I can keep going.”
Mitchell played against Hibs for doomed St Johnstone last season
Despite being part of a St Johnstone team who went down last season, the experience of playing in Scotland did play a part in Mitchell’s decision to join Hibs at the tail end of the summer window, the boy from Bromley saying: “I think having that sense of familiarity with the league, with certain teams from last season always helps. But it's a different culture, different team and with that you have to learn and adapt.
“It's a great club and a great set of lads. We’ll keep moving forward together and I look forward to the next one.
“As a player, you need to be ready at any moment. It can be hard maybe to not build up the moment too much.
“That’s something you have to control in yourself. It’s important not to get too high in certain moments and obviously not too low as well.” Mitchell, who also saw a header come crashing back off the Dundee United bar soon after playing his part in the goal, admitted: “I’m not sure about the assist, a little flick to the back post but I'll say I saw him there! I'm not too sure what happened with the header because I was nearly knocked out on the ground.
“I think we had moments in the game where we could have taken it. That could have been one of those moments. Hopefully one of them can go in, in the future.”
January decision to be made?
Asked directly about his parent club’s attitude to what happens next, and what he’d like to do come January, Mitchell ducked the question, saying: “At this point in time, I'm not focusing too much on all of that. My main focus has got to be from game to game and giving Hibs the best of myself and whatever I can do.”
The next game, in this instance, is Hearts at home on Saturday. Quite the prospect for a player who has had to wait for his chance.
“I know it's a brilliant occasion,” said Mitchell, when asked about the derby. “It's not something I've been able to experience.
“From what I've heard and seen, obviously, with the last game, it's just a brilliant occasion to be a part of. I'd be grateful for that opportunity.”