Hibs can get me into the EPL
HIBS FLO BACK IN THE BIG TIME EUAN McLEAN
FLO KAMBERI insists Sunderland never had a chance of poaching him from Hibs as they’re a big club in a small pond that can’t match his ambitions.
The Swiss striker was flattered that new Mackems boss Jack Ross wanted to lure him before the Easter Road club took up their first option to sign him after his successful four-month loan stint from Grasshopper Zurich.
Despite the snobbish assumption held by many south of the border, Kamberi considers their League One to be a major step down from Scotland’s top flight.
Instead the 23-year-old believes he can become a better player – and eventually earn a move to England’s top flight – if he sticks around to learn under Neil Lennon after the manager’s promise to stay convinced him to do the same.
Kamberi said: “It didn’t interest me because it was sport@dailyrecord.co.uk League One. Even if it’s a big club I don’t want to play in a small league.
“I want to play in the first league and I had a chance to do that here with Hibs, so it was clear that Sunderland was not an option.
“It’s not just about money. It’s more important to give a good performance in a high league to show myself.
“If I do that then the big money comes later.
“Of course longer term my dream is to play in the Premier League in England.
“I believe I have a better chance to achieve that dream by playing in the top league with Hibs. It’s a great window for me. But I am not looking too far ahead.
“I just want to give my all for the club and if I do that then the opportunities should follow. Many English clubs look to the Scottish Premiership so it’s up to me to show my best.”
No one can doubt Kamberi’s ambition for staying in Scotland when he speaks with such desire to force his way into his national team set-up after watching Switzerland in the World Cup.
With four caps to his name at Under-21 level, his initial move to Hibs during the January transfer window was a last-ditch attempt to catch the eye of national coach Vladimir Petkovic.
It wasn’t to be but the ambition and belief to be a fully fledged internationalist by the time the next World Cup comes around is strong.
Kamberi said: “That’s also a reason I didn’t want to go to Sunderland.
“If you are playing for a big club in a smaller league, like England’s third tier, nobody cares about you for the national team.
“Hibs is the perfect step for me to play in the first league and show myself.
“Sunderland’s interest showed me that I did some good things last season but it’s not enough. I have to improve and give more if I want to go higher.
“I wanted to work with Neil Lennon because he makes me better every day.
“I asked him if he was going to stay and when he said yes, I wanted to stay.”
Kamberi is maintaining the familiarity with Hibs right down to the same squad number he had last year, when nine goals in 14 games confirmed him as the club’s undoubted first pick up front.
Traditionally such a status would entitle him to the iconic No.9 shirt, now vacant following the departure of Deivydas Matulevicius.
But Kamberi wasn’t having it when he put family pride ahead of status.
He said: “When I came back here the No.9 was prepared but I told them, ‘No I want to keep my 22.’
“I want to keep the 22 as I had a great season wearing it and it is the birthday of my father, Pashk, in March.”