LIGHTS, KAMBERI ACTION I’M UP FOR A FLO MOTION REPLAY
MACLAREN’S VERDICT I didn’t know if I’d see Flo again. Then I bumped into him straight away in Dubai. It’s a special connection – he kept asking when I was coming back. Did I doubt it would happen? 1I0 w0 peernctenwt. iBtuht itmfeeyls goeoadr. h t
Jamie Maclaren feared he’d never see Flo Kamberi again after the pair left Hibs at the end of their loan spells.
But he ended up bumping into his old Easter Road strike partner on holiday in Dubai just a few days later.
That’s when Maclaren knew they were on the same wavelength.
And it’s why he’s delighted the pair have been brought back together for another double-act.
The duo had both been brought in by Neil Lennon on loan during the winter transfer window.
They struck up an astonishing understanding straight off the bat and struck 17 times between them as Hibs finished the league in fourth place.
At the end of the campaign Aussie Maclaren went back to parent club Darmstadt not knowing his future.
But his heart and mind told him he needed to get back to Easter Road if a chance came up.
The Socceroos star said: “At the end of last season Flo and I didn’t know if we would see each other or play together again.
“Then we bumped into each other straight away in Dubai! So that was quite funny.
“When he signed for Hibs again he was flicking me messages all summer saying, ‘Are you coming back?’ “I had to keep telling him that my situation wasn’t as clear-cut as his. “Once I did sign, it was nice to see all the boys again. You can’t take for granted the sort of dressing room we have – seeing the smiles from the boys on the first day again. “It’s a good feeling. And I definitely have that special connection with Flo.” Maclaren, 25, was a revelation for Hibs last term after joining the club on loan from German side Darmstadt. He scored eight goals in 15 games, including a hat- trick in the 5- 5 draw against Rangers on the final day of the season and memorable efforts against Hearts and Celtic. His form earned him a place in Bert van Maarwijk’s Socceroos ■ squad for the World Cup, albeit belatedly after initially being omitted from the roster of 23.
However, his success served to make it even more challenging for Hibs to bring him back to the capital.
Interest from mainland Europe and big spending A- League outf it Melbourne Victory made Darmstadt pause for thought as they sought a return for their investment.
The player’s desire was always to come back to Scotland – his father, Dona ld, hails from Edinburgh - and he got his w ish earlier this month w he n he penned a season-long loan.
Mac laren explained: “The longer the negotiations went, the more I knew I wanted to come to Hibs. “It took some time for that to happen but that’s life in football. Did I doubt it would happen? Yes, 100 per cent.
“There were just so many discussions.
The longer negotiations went on, the more I knew I wanted to come back to Hibs ...
“Don’t get me wrong – during the World Cup I was focused on Australia but in the back of your mind you are always thinking, ‘Are Darmstadt going to ask for a bigger price?’
“Discussions took place and I had some real ly honest conversations with the boss Dirk Schuster and he was very good with me.
“He told me I was wanted but that it was ultimately my decision, as long as it works for both parties.
“Some A-League clubs were in touch with Darmstadt but, as the player, you always have the final say.
“I went with my heart. It’s a huge year and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than at Hibs – it feels like I’ve never been away.”
Although Maclaren is contracted to Darmstadt until summer 2020, it is understood Hibs could make the switch permanent at the end of the season for a fee in the region of £ 400,000.
That will seem like a steal and delight Hibees fans who joined Kamberi in bombarding Maclaren with messages urging him to come back.
Jamie said: “It was nice to look on social media and see all the tweets, all the supporters writing ‘announce Maclaren’.
“Those are the little one per cent of things that bring you back. It went on all summer! “A s soon a s I scored the hat-trick against Rangers in the 5-5 game, it was a quick goodbye. “I left that night to go on holiday as I didn’t originally make the World Cup squad. “I just switched off straight away and tried to deal with disappointment while on the beach. “So it was nice to hear all that stuff from the fans and the reception I got last weekend against Motherwell was hard to explain. Goosebump moments.” Maclaren has had cameos so far but is hoping to be more involved in today’s clash with St Johnstone today. He added: “I feel I’m at 90 per cent and I will know when I’m at 100. I had a holiday and three weeks’ training, whereas you need a four-to-five week foundation. But I’m not far off it and hopefully be involved against Saints.”