Leeds and Forest target Mulligan talks Hibs, Premier League hopes, McGinn comparisons - and World cup dream
Former Dundee star looking for repeat win at Tannadice as Easter Road side chase momentum
In-demand Hibs star Josh Mulligan has revealed how he copes with transfer talk as the former Dundee ace opened up on Premier League links, World Cup hopes – and those John McGinn comparisons. And he believes dealing with chatter surrounding his move from Dens Park to Easter Road has prepared him for the current noise about his future.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have both shown interest in Mulligan, who has so far earned one emergency injury call-up to Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, without winning a senior cap. The 23-year-old has also been linked with clubs in Germany and France, although there have been no concrete approaches to Hibs.
Scotland star’s story an inspiration
Mulligan, already compared to former Easter Road favourite McGinn by team-mate Martin Boyle, admits he’s taken inspiration from watching the Aston Villa and Scotland star’s progress since moving on from Hibs. Could he follow a similar path?
“Yeah, it's the dream for every young player to play at the highest level,” said Mulligan. “But I always tend to not look too far ahead.
“It gets to you, it honestly does. If you look too far ahead, it can affect you, I think. I've always looked at the next game. Tomorrow, I'm right up for that one, so I'm looking forward to that.”
Asked if he had been affected when Hibs – among other clubs – were showing interest last season, the midfielder/wingback said: “Obviously, it does get to you. You don't know where you're going to be.
“You're seeing stuff in the papers and then you need to go and play on Saturday for Dundee. So it is hard, but that's just the game. That's part of the game.
“I did think I handled it quite well when I was there, so I'll just do the same here and focus on football first. Like I say, you're learning every day on the job and having that experience puts you in good stead. I'm just looking to not change, just be myself.”
Martin Boyle comment ‘nicest thing he’s said about me!’
Commenting on Boyle’s favourable comparison between former team-mate McGinn and the new kid tearing up Scottish Premiership midfields, Mulligan laughed as he admitted: “Obviously, that's nice of him to say that. Probably the nicest thing he's said about me!
“He's obviously played with both of us and he's obviously seen a few similarities. But it doesn't really get spoken about in the changing room.”
Like most young players in Scotland, Mulligan draws at least some inspiration from the example set by McGinn, admitting: “Yeah, definitely. I remember, obviously, at Hibs, but even when he first went to Villa, you see him make that move and that step up.
“It's just having that belief in yourself that you can go and do that. If I can follow him in his footsteps, then you're doing all right.
“If I can just focus on football first - starting tomorrow - and put in a good run of fixtures, because I think we need that. That little run. We're picking up wins here and there, but we want to put that run together.”
Hibs are at Tannadice tomorrow, facing a United side undoubtedly boosted by their midweek win over Celtic. For Mulligan, the game marks a return to a happy hunting ground, the midfielder having starred for Dundee as they won 4-2 over their nearest rivals back in March.
“The last one was very good, to be fair,” he said, when asked about his Tannadice experience, the former Scotland Under-21 star pointing out: “We won the derby 4-2. That was the first time a Dundee team had won there in 20 years or something. I'm looking at putting on a similar performance.”
Scotland World Cup clashes with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti a target
Lurking at the back of Mulligan’s mind, obviously, is his outside shot – at least – of making the Scotland squad heading to the USA next summer. A World Cup campaign involving games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil would be a nice way to spend the off season.
“You find yourself thinking about it every now and then,” he admitted: “I think it's just important that I focus on the games at Hibs, they're the most important. You're going to think about it. And if I can get on that plane, then that's great.
“But right now, the most important thing is the games for Hibs. I think if you keep thinking about it, it can maybe get to you.
“Like I said, you try and keep it to the back of your mind and just focus on every day, training every day, not changing anything. If you're playing well, just keep going and keep working hard and hopefully you get those sorts of rewards. That is the dream, going to the World Cup with your country.”
Hibs boss David Gray admits, meanwhile, that keeping rising stars like Mulligan at Easter Road could be a tough job, as clubs from richer leagues show interest, the gaffer saying: “Yeah, I think that's the benefit of anyone you try and bring to the football club, or any young player coming through the football club. I know you've mentioned Josh there, but that is always the case, if you can play to a level here, the opportunity to try and move on from here, if you've got ambitions to try and do that, is there for every player
“To attract interest, you need to be playing to a very high standard, you need your teammates to be helping you, you need to be helping your teammates, and you need to be part of a successful team. So if we can all get the most out of all the players, that's my job to try and do that.”