Johnson hails his ‘ shining light’ at Hibs

LEE JOHNSON has hailed Josh Campbell as a ‘ shining light’ in Hibernian’s difficult season.

The 22- year- old has been a virtual ever- present for the Easter Road side this term after previously being the target for the club’s boo boys during their struggles.

The former Edinburgh City and Arbroath loanee was impressive in an unfamiliar role as Hibs took a 2- 1 lead at half- time against Rangers last Thursday.

Playing as an auxiliary second striker, Campbell struck the outside of the post with a fierce drive that could have given Johnson’s men a crucial two- goal advantage in the eventual 3- 2 defeat.

And Johnson has praised the midfielder for the way he helped provide energy to the Hibs attack on the return of marksman Kevin Nisbet after 10 months out with a knee injury.

Johnson said: “We got Josh up near Nizzy [ Nisbet]. Nizzy is a sort of touch player, a feel player, but obviously you need legs and runners in behind and around him.

“Josh can do a man- and- a- half’s job and, again, I thought he performed extremely well and worked his socks off.

“He always does. He’s been a shining light this season.”

In a game of two halves at Ibrox, Hibs were delighted with their resolute display against a struggling home team.

But, after the break, Rangers dominated and deserved to turn things around for a crucial three points.

With Livingston arriving in the capital this weekend, Johnson has urged his squad to up their intensity on and off the ball.

He added: “We’ve got to go at home and so it’s a slightly different game. But certainly the structure and the condensed defensive work [ against Rangers], we’ve got to do in all the games.

“We have to concentrate more, at times. We’ve got to be harder with ourselves, at times.

“But we can at least rally round that performance.”