Kevin Dabrowski: Dumbarton loan can help me challenge for No.1 spot at Hibs

Polish goalkeeper joined League One side on season-long loan

Kevin Dabrowski has impressed the Hibs coaching staff and will be hoping to continue his rise at Dumbarton

Hibs goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski is adamant that his spell with Dumbarton can help him kick on and challenge for the No.1 spot at Easter Road next season.

The 22-year-old signed a season-long loan deal with the Sons and is looking forward to playing regularly for Jim Duffy’s side in League One having started the season as back-up to Ofir Marciano.

Revealing that his performance in a pre-season friendly against Celtic had forced the Capital club’s coaching staff into a rethink, Dabrowski said: “I was supposed to be Hibs’ number two this season but I played a few games in pre-season and did well and, after that, the management agreed that they wanted me playing every week.

"Playing at Celtic Park over pre-season was a great experience. I’m feeling very confident at the moment and playing in that game was something that gave me a huge boost ahead of the season.”

The towering shot-stopper, who spent time in Lech Poznan’s youth ranks before moving to Scotland, is yet to make a competitive first-team appearance for Jack Ross’ side but has impressed in development and reserve league matches.

A loan spell with Cowdenbeath last season propelled him into the limelight after a series of good performances and clean sheets.

Dabrowski told the Lennox Herald: “The coaches at Hibs said that I’m still young and should be playing games at this stage in my career so I can push for the No.1 shirt next season.

“When I spoke to the manager he said that Dumbarton are a great club with a lot of good people involved and a great history so they’d be a very good place for me to go and get that experience.

“I want to play every week, and play as many games as possible. From what I’ve seen at training there’s great quality in the squad and they are a good bunch of boys who can definitely challenge at the top end of the league.

“My aim is for Dumbarton to perform at the highest level they can this season and then to return to Hibs as the number one.”