'I know my value': Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano discusses Hibs contract and what his focus is

Goalkeeper Ofir Marciano has refused to say whether he envisages extending his Hibs career beyond the expiration of his current contract this summer, but he did state an awareness of his worth and said he intends to use the remainder of the season to prove it.

Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano is focusing on his football in the hope that top performances will secure him a lucrative new deal, at Hibs or elsewhere. Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group

Easter Road manager Jack Ross has made it clear that he would love to hang onto the 31-year-old Israeli international, but despite months of speculation there has been no new deal agreed for the man who joined Hibs in 2017 or influential midfielder Joe Newell, who will also become a free agent at the end of the term.

“I know it’s a cliche but at the moment I am only focusing on my football performances and training hard every day,” said Marciano, who admitted that he and his wife Shelley are happy in Scotland, with their toddler Sun. Their second son is due this summer.

“From day one I’ve only been focused on my performances because I know that’s my CV. For me the most important thing is to play good for the club. Without that I won’t get any opportunity, not here or at another place. I know my value.

TRANENT, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 05 : Ofir Marciano during a Hibs media session at Tranent on February 05, 2021, in Tranent, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

“I’m happy here. But because we have so many games this year I don’t think I need to deal with that at the moment.

“I think it’s good for me and the club that I’m focusing on playing well and training good and not getting distracted.”

A strong finish to the season would strengthen his case for a financially acceptable offer, while a lofty league finish would reap extra funds to facilitate it. The promise of European football would further sweeten any deal to stay at the Leith cub.

“The most important thing is to finish as high as we can for the club. After that we have time to think about these things but the most important thing for me is to play good in every game and stay focused for the rest of the season.

“I don’t take it for granted to be in a place that you like and enjoy. I’m not trying to hide it, I’m happy here but I’m trying not to think about my contract. I’m thinking about trying to improve my game.”

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