I want to be the Paddy Roberts of Easter Road
HIBS Barker ready to follow the lead of his Man City pal in Scotland NEW BOY’S DREAM
HIBS new boy Brandon Barker wants to become the Easter Road version of Celtic’s Patrick Roberts.
The 20-year-old emulated his Etihad colleague by moving to the Premiership on loan from Manchester City when he joined the Easter Road outfit last week.
Barker admits seeing the success enjoyed by Roberts in Glasgow will be the template for him to showcase his skills across the M8.
He said: “I know Pat. I played with him quite a few times in the national team and at City as well.
“He did really well last year and couldn’t have asked for a better one. Hopefully I can have the same success as he did. He had a fantastic year, he was playing some great football with Celtic.
“Pat just showed everyone what he can do. That’s my plan now – to show everyone what I can do too.
“I didn’t speak with him about the move. He was on his pre-season and I was on mine. It’s really my decision and I thought this was the best move for me.
“All my friends have been wishing me good luck. They just want my career to kick on.
“I just thought that this fitted perfectly when we discussed it and, hopefully, I can bring my full potential out here.”
Barker also believes the influence of manager Neil Lennon will be key in his development.
The Easter Road gaffer has made shrewd signings for the club’s return to the top flight and the winger is placing his faith in the boss to bring out his best.
Barker said: “I knew the manager and everything just seemed like it was the perfect loan for me to develop my career.
“He is a great manager. Everyone knows him in football. Hopefully, I can express myself here and bring so much more to Hibs.
“I hope I can bring a different dimension, breaking lines, running past players, dribbling, creating and scoring goals. Hopefully, I can start making people believe in me more.”
Barker was handed a debut from the subs bench at the weekend but the afternoon did not go as he hoped when Hibs were beaten 3-1 by Hamilton after a flat display at Easter Road.
But insists it was not a true reflection of the Hibees and they’ll get back to winning ways in their next clash with Dundee.
He said: “The team didn’t perform but we will give it a right go again next week.
“It’s always difficult when you are 1-0 down and my job was to try and change it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do that.
“I saw footage of last weekend. That’s why we are so disappointed. We went to Rangers and won 3-2 in a great game.
“Against Accies we didn’t prove what we can do. We can’t wait for next week to get it right.”