I CAN’T WAIT TO GET OFIR AND RUNNING
Dad-to-be Marciano’s excited for new season – and arrival
HIBS keeper Ofir Marciano admits he wants to stay at Easter Road for the long haul as he prepares to start a family in Edinburgh.
The 27-year-old goalie signed a four-year deal with the Hibees after falling in love with the city during his loan spell from Ashdod last season.
Now Marciano, who is expecting a baby boy with his supermodel wife Shelly in October, can’t wait to embark on a thrilling new chapter of his life on and off the pitch.
He said: “Edinburgh is a great place and a great city to live and to raise kids. We really like it here.
“Soon I will have a family so things are different for me now. I now need to consider other things I didn’t have to think about before I was married.
“The most important thing is I’m feeling good and am happy. “In life and in football that is the most important thing. I feel good and my wife likes it here, so I really appreciate being here.
“Hibs is a good club to develop at. It’s a great place with good people who I really connect with. They treat me well – that’s something you can’t disrespect because it is not always the case.
“I don’t know if our baby will have a Scottish accent! We’ll need to wait and see.”
Marciano kept 13 clean sheets in 28 appearances last season as Hibees claimed the Championship title and reached the Scottish Cup semi-final.
The Israel goalie knows the Premiership will be a step up in class but he can’t wait to play in the top flight.
He said: “We are one of the biggest clubs in Scotland, so there is no fear about going into the top league. It is our natural place to be.
“People think it was easy to get promoted but it wasn’t – everyone at the club worked hard last year to get up. This year we will have to do even better to show we should be in the top league.”
Marciano will take his place between the sticks in today’s Betfred Cup curtain-raiser with Montrose but gaffer Neil Lennon is planning on giving Hibs kids the chance to shine at Easter Road.
He said: “We need to be competitive. We will give Montrose the utmost respect and go as strong as we can.
“But it’ll be another chance for some of the youngsters. I’ve been very pleased with a few of them for a long time and a couple will get another shot.”
Montrose boss Stewart Petrie – who is without Jamie Redman after he suffered a broken jaw against Cove Rangers – insists his side won’t be intimidated by Hibs.
Petrie said: “This is a fantastic game to open our season even if it is a daunting task. Hibs will come out flying as they look to get ready for life in the Premiership. “They will be backed by a big crowd so it will be tough for us however we have to enjoy it.”