How Hibs players have reacted to Boyle, Passlack captaincy switch amid 'heartbeat of changing room' claim
Jamie McGrath offers insight into squad psychology ahead of Celtic test
Hibs star Jamie McGrath has revealed that it feels “weird” seeing Felix Passlack wearing the captain’s armband. But the Irishman has hailed the German as a proven leader – and stressed that Martin Boyle is still playing a key role despite no longer being named as on-field skipper.
Speaking exclusively to The Evening News earlier this week, new Hibs boss Marink Reedijk revealed that, despite Joe Newell retaining the club captaincy, experienced right back Passlack will be his chosen leader during games. Reedijk stressed that Boyle had “completely bought in” to the switch of roles.
Veteran forward still has key role
McGrath, providing the first reaction to the change from inside the first-team dressing room at East Mains, said: "Felix came in straight away last January and is majorly loved by all the boys. He's a top fella. Top, top man.
“He's very approachable. The heartbeat of the changing room, he's always up for the craic.
"It looks weird seeing him with the armband! It's just something that's been chosen. Don't get me wrong, there's no bad eggs in the changing room. Everybody's very together in there.
"Whether it's Felix wearing it tomorrow, or Joe wearing it the next day, or Boyle wearing it the day after, it's just one of those things. We all get behind everybody."
When it was suggested that Boyle was unlikely to become a quieter voice in the dressing room simply because he was no longer wearing a bit of cloth around his arm, McGrath said: “No, certainly not. Boyle's always there, he's always positive, always in good spirits. It's important to have that in the changing room as well.
“He's the master at deflecting pressure in key times. He's a massive part of the changing room. He's the best man to put your arm around someone, or just lighten the mood at any given time.
"I think we have a lot of different characters in the changing rooms that bring different stuff. We all have to take more responsibility in that aspect, telling people if it's not good enough on the pitch.
“It's something I'm always trying to improve as well, because I'm not a natural shouter. I'm trying to lead by running hard and working hard and doing it that way. But of course, the older you get, the more experience you build. It's dawned on me now that I'm no longer the young buck, and I'm going to have to try and bring that experience to help the younger boys as much as I can."
Celtic challenge and new role in team
McGrath managed 30 minutes in last week’s home loss to Falkirk, the attacking midfielder working his way back from injury at a steady pace. A problem with his calf meant missing out on selection for the Republic of Ireland during the international break – as well as staying at home while Hibs travelled to Spain for a warm-weather training camp under new boss Reedijk.
"I missed the camp in Spain, so just doing a bit of catch-up, but looking forward to getting back fit now,” he said, reflecting on his journey back to fitness. “I got minutes last week and it felt good, so hopefully I can build on that now this weekend and for the season going ahead.
"Yeah, it was tough to miss Spain. But I just had to rehab, get back to full fitness as quickly as possible because that's the end goal, to be available for the games again. I've had a bit of a bumpy spell at the start of the season so far, but hopefully now that's the issues behind me now."
Pressed on whether he would be fit to start against Celtic tomorrow, McGrah laughed as he said: "I'll tell the manager that anyway! Hopefully. It's up to him. I completed half an hour last week and I'll always put my hand forward, whether I'm fit or not."
Facing the league leaders in any circumstances would be considered something of a challenge. The fact that Hibs are stuck at the foot of the Scottish Premiership, without a home league win since April 4, makes tomorrow’s contest at Easter Road all the more daunting for a side who managed to beat Celtic in Glasgow last season.
"Yeah, I think over the last few seasons we've done quite well (against Celtic), but we have to be realistic,” said McGraty. “We have to do the basics well first on Sunday and build from that.
"We've not been keeping too many clean sheets, so it's something we need to build on as well. Giving ourselves a good opportunity to win games. We've obviously went to Ibrox this season so far and won, so we certainly know we can do it. But it's just about us working hard and obviously showing that.
“The gaffer is quite consistent with what he wants. We're really looking forward to hopefully implementing that on Sunday and see how we go with that. We're all going to have to be on the same page and start the game very well.
"We know the quality Celtic possess. They're obviously top of the league and they performed well against Celta Vigo. I know they didn't get the result, but we know they're dangerous.
“But so are we. It's just about us sticking together and showing that more consistently on the weekends.
“We're obviously still learning. We're working very hard on the training ground. It's a different style and with that, it takes a lot of changes and adaptations and every day you're learning something new.
"So it's certainly refreshing. There's a good atmosphere around the place. Although we want to show it at the weekends and obviously we wanted to get results as quickly as possible. But yeah, it's exciting coming in every day, learning new bits every day."
If McGrath is fit enough to start, it will be interesting to see where he lines up. Equally comfortable in the No. 10 role our out wide, he can drop deeper or push forward – and has an obviously impressive footballing IQ.
Revealing that he’d held in-depth conversations with Reedijk about his role, the former St Mirren, Dundee United and Aberdeen playmaker said: "I think everybody's role has changed, to be fair. It's a completely different system. It's wanting different things, but at the end of the day, it's about working hard.
"It's about if we lose the ball, we get back behind it. It's about getting back behind the ball, making the recovery runs and pressing a bit higher from the front. That's the main ins and outs, but we're going to have to be brave and go at them.
"We've obviously had good chats and he (Reedijk) sees me in a few positions. We've had a few over and backs - and I told him where I like and where he sees me.
"We're on the same page, which is great. I can probably play in a few positions across the front line, but he has a few ideas. I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting back into the starting XI sooner rather than later, whenever I may be called upon.”