World Cup exploits leave Hibs star flying high - and aiming even higher

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A summer spent tilting at windmills was, in retrospect, ideal preparation for a training camp in the Netherlands. A couple of World Cup qualifiers for upstart underdogs Guyana, on top of individual work aimed at eradicating the flaws in his game, certainly hasn’t left Nathan Moriah-Welsh undercooked heading into the new campaign.

The midfielder, a Nick Montgomery signing looking to adapt himself to the new demands of David Gray’s regime, genuinely feels like this Hibs squad – still oversized, lacking in key components and a long way from the new manager’s ideal – has the potential to soar. How high? That’s the question.

“I wouldn’t want to put a league placing on it - but I think the sky’s the limit, really, with the way we’ve come back and the signings we’ve made,” said Moriah-Welsh, the 22-year-old adding: “The intent is there, and it looks really good. 

“Marvin Ekpiteta, Warren O’Hora, and Joe Bursik are the three lads who have come in and they have all brought good qualities. Even the lads coming back from loans, like Nohan Kenneh, have been really good.

“The sky is the limit, provided we knuckle down and work hard. That’s the basis for everything. We work hard now, put in the graft, so we can hit the ground running when the season starts.”

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Moriah-Welsh didn’t let a little thing like the close season get in the way of his own personal improvement programme, doing extra work focused on the in-possession side of his game, the former Bournemouth prospect explaining: “Yeah, that’s just the way I am. I realised that last year wasn’t a good year for me in terms of quality on the ball, so even when I was out in Guyana I was still trying to do as much on-the-ball stuff and get better with it.

“I think my out-of-possession stuff is good; I can get around the pitch well, I can tackle well, but the next step would be to get better in possession, get more assists, and be a more effective player. As I’m getting older it’s not just about being a young lad anymore, it’s about imposing myself on games and trying to change the games as much possible both in and out of possession.”

One of four Hibs players away on international duty during the summer break, Moriah-Welsh’s involvement with Guyana was a world away from the glitz and glamour of the Euros or Copa America. A 2-0 away loss to Panama and a 3-1 ‘home’ victory over Belize were, however, enjoyable experiences for a London-born player eligible for not one but two CONCACAF nations – Grenada through his father and Guyana via his mother.

They’re far from the biggest team in a FIFA confederation boasting an increasing number of decent sides. One of three South American nations – Suriname and French Guiana are the others – in CONCACAF for reasons rooted in history, Guyana do not currently have a stadium capable of hosting proper qualifiers.

Moriah-Welsh, who played well for his nation as they eventually buried Belize at the Widey Turf Stadium in Barbados, explained: “We do have a plan in place to get a new stadium built. It’s just taking so, so long.

“We have an astro similar to Barbados. But because there are no stands around it, we can’t actually use it yet. FIFA regulations say your ground needs to have a stand, so we can’t play games at home until that happens.

“We’ve been playing all our home games in Barbados, because our stadium isn’t up to scratch. I’m personally not a fan, but Barbados is nice. The weather is good – but there isn’t enough going on there, for me.

“We’re sitting third in our qualifying group, so anything is possible. The team, as a whole, is quite close.  Before every camp, when we can, we all get together for a meal before we all fly out to games. That means that, once we’re there, we’ve already gelled quite well.

“The last two years have been really special. Making it into League A was huge for us. It’s going to be really tough for us – but anything is possible, I would say.

“The players are coming from all over. The English lads are coming from League One, League Two. One of the boys has been in the MLS for two years, and he’s doing well.

“But even the lads who still live in Guyana probably should be playing at a good level in the UK or wherever. They are good. But it’s just hard to get opportunities over there.

“Like a lot of places, I feel like if there was a plan in place and opportunities for players, we would have a much better programme. But because they’re not getting the exposure, which we always fight for, it’s tough for them to get a move.

“That is sad because you have a player who just doesn’t get the career he could have had. Just because it’s so hard to get noticed.

“But 100 per cent, we feel as if we’re heading in the right direction. It’s always tough with the politics side of it.

“A lot of nations in our region, some of the AFCON nations as well, the talent is there. They just need the platform.

“If we can get a good stadium and actually play our home games in Guyana, that has to help the next generation of kids. In one or two generations, you could have a World Cup side. It’s a long shot – but, like I said, anything is possible.”

Working hard to generate a camaraderie at international level, Moriah-Welsh has become an important figure for Hibs since signing in January. The kid has good chemistry, meaning he mixes well within the group.

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Laughing as he was asked to identify the most naturally gifted cyclist in a squad who have found themselves riding to and from training on bikes hired at their hotel, he said: “Not me, that’s for certain! And not Millsy (Lewis Miller) either. If he comes over and says something, it’s not him either.

“Cadds (Chris Cadden) is good on the bikes. He’s a steady rider. It's probably him. But the bikes are not the most stable. Those thin wheels are not for me. I haven’t ridden for about 15 years, but you never lose it though, do you?

“But, yeah, jump on a bike and have a bit of a laugh with the lads. H, Harry McKirdy, has almost stacked it a couple of times. It’s good banter going on the bikes and going to training with the lads. 

“You can tell who had a bike as a kid and who didn’t. Some of us could still use stabilisers - I’m guilty of that as well. Dylan Vente’s in his element though, in his country, he’s right at home!”