Stevie Bradley speaks on Hibs move, training with first team, and Jack Ross message

There is a good chance that a number of Hibs fans may not know too much about Stevie Bradley but the winger is desperate to change that.

Stevie Bradley is eager to make a big impression at Easter Road

Still just 18, the former Queen's Park youngster has had a taste of first-team action – albeit fleetingly – in the Betfred Cup matches against Forfar Athletic and Dundee and is desperate for more.

Speaking in the Hibs matchday programme about making his debut for the first-team, Bradley said: “It feels like an important step in the right direction.

"It was frustrating against Dundee – I'd been stripped for what felt like about six minutes but the ball just wouldn't go out of play to let me on.

"I just want to get more minutes under my belt. I just want to keep working hard in training to give the manager something to think about.

"I want to show I’m capable of playing for the first team and do what I can to break in."

Bradley started his career on the books at Rangers, playing alongside the likes of Scotland Under-21 cap Nathan Patterson, but after a little over six years with the Ibrox side he was let go.

Conceding it was a tough blow, Bradley returned to Boys’ Club football which helped him kickstart his career, earning a chance with Queen's Park.

“It was the best thing I could have done. It helped me get that hunger back,” he admitted.

“Queen's Park asked me in on trial. I wanted to be pushed at that point, and they’re well known for bringing through young players. It was hard being in amongst senior players at that age and I was quite slight, but I felt like I did really well in training and I think the manager [Mark Roberts] liked me."

Bradley was only 16 when he made his first-team debut for the Spiders, admitting that his "legs felt like jelly” after his 20-minute cameo in a game at Hampden against Elgin City, but the teenager was already on Hibs’ radar before that milestone.

Bradley explained: “Before my debut we played Hibs in the Scottish Cup for the Under-18s. We won 3-1 and I scored a wonder-goal. After that, there was interest. I’d been away in Italy for the summer and when I got back I was asked if I’d go into train for a week.

"After an hour, Eddie May asked me to sign.”

Bradley could well feature off the bench this afternoon against Dundee but whether he does or not, the wide man is focused on making the most of his chance at Easter Road.

He continued: “I think I've done well since I moved up [to the first team]. Being on the bench for a few games has been a great experience.

"I just want to kick on and try to get in the first team as soon as I can. There are standard-bearers who I can look up to.

"Joe Newell is competitive in training. Ryan Porteous is the same.

"The manager's been brilliant with me too. He likes to have a laugh with me and just talks to me about normal stuff but he's just as good on the training pitch.

"He makes sure I keep my feet on the ground.”

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