McGregor glad to pull on boots again but happy on sidelines
Hibs player/coach insists next generation comes first after coming on against Norwich
HIBS defender Darren McGregor acknowledges his priority is now on helping the next generation flourish despite admitting he got a thrill from pulling on the jersey again at the weekend.
McGregor was one of eight half-time changes in Sunday’s 1-0 friendly victory over Norwich City as manager Lee Johnson sent out what was effectively their B side in the second half.
The 36-year-old had initially braced himself for the victory over St Johnstone on the final day of last season to be his last for his boyhood club.
It was announced last month that McGregor had taken on a player/coaching role with the development side alongside Gareth Evans and head of academy Steve Kean.
That involves McGregor playing alongside the youngsters in a mentoring capacity whilst taking his first steps into coaching.
However, the 2016 Scottish Cup winner admits he still thoroughly enjoyed pulling on his boots for the first team at the weekend.
He added: “I didn’t have much expectation of playing at the start of the season, I’d semi-transitioned over to the development squad and I’m loving it.
“Steve Kean and Gareth Evans have looked after me superbly and I feel like I’m learning and I had my coach’s head on, but to get the chance to come back and help the younger guys through a firstteam game, I’m absolutely over the moon.
“I thought the McGregor 24 shirt wouldn’t be seen again so to win the game, keep a clean sheet, and have a good performance with the younger guys who I’m mentoring was great.
“Hats off to them because they were outstanding – Jacob
Blaney, Oscar MacIntyre, Robbie Hamilton, Allan Delferriere, Runar Hauge, Dylan Tait – the younger guys who have been with me and there are plenty more in the ranks.
“We’ve grown quite a strong bond and I can’t ask for much more from these guys in terms of their willingness to learn, and go out and perform against opposition where some of their players will be expected to be helping Norwich challenge for promotion to the Premier League so really good quality and a really good learning experience.”
McGregor concedes he is unlikely to be called upon in the coming Premiership
season unless it is an emergency.
He added: “Any game for me would be an honour. I am not really thinking in that sense about games. I’m conscious Paul Hanlon will be back, we’ve got Rocky [Bushiri], Kyle [McClelland].
“I’m not sure if they are looking for another centreback. At the very best, I will still be involved in a development capacity so I am still getting my games there.
“I am ticking my Hibs buzz from there. But if I can be involved with the first team then I would be over the moon. We’ll wait and see.”
McGregor insists he is also happy to play his part behind the scenes in helping the 10 new summer arrivals settle.
He added: “The manager just wants me in and around the squad because he’s conscious that there are a lot of new guys coming in.
“In previous years we’ve had a core group that’s been carried over, and I know we’ve still got that in a sense with Joe [Newell] and Doidgey (Christian Doidge), guys who have been here a wee while, but it takes younger guys time to settle.
“I think that’s the one thing you can say against them – consistency levels and just getting used to their surroundings, the city, the crowd, the culture.
“I think he’s conscious that he needs a couple of older guys – he’s already got David Marshall, Aiden McGeady, Paul Hanlon, and Lewis Stevenson, so we’ve got a good group.
“So if I can come in and help knit the guys together and show them the standard and set the benchmark through the work I do, or the way I speak or act, I think that’s probably where the manager is coming from.”