Contract reNewell
Joe: I had a great week until game came and spoiled it
2 MOTHERWELL
ALAN MARSHALL AT EASTER ROAD
JOE NEWELL admits the prospect of making his debut in European competition was a huge factor in signing a new contract at Hibs.
This surprise loss proved a disappointing end to a memorable week for midfielder Newell after the 27-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal that runs until at least the summer of 2023.
Having plied his trade in the English lower leagues, there had previously been no pathway for Newell to face foreign opposition in competitive games.
However, Hibs are likely to be competing in either the Europa League or new Europa Conference League next season, and Newell admits that would be a big plus for him.
Newell said: “It had been a good week for me up until the game, I was happy to sign on again and was delighted to get it done. It was a good week with a bad ending.
“The club have been great with me throughout the process. I told them I wanted to stay and they were good with me.
“This is a club going places. There are not many you can go to who can realistically achieve playing in Europe.
“I want to experience European nights, full houses under the lights here at Easter Road.
“That was the aim at the start of the season and we’re still on track for that.
“When you play down in England, in the Championship like I had been, playing in Europe isn’t something you can even think about. It’s not going to happen when you are in those leagues so it is a pull Scottish football has.
“Players want to play on that stage and as a club it helps you attract people up here.
“So becoming a team who plays in Europe regularly is good for us personally but also the club.”
Hibs remain four points clear of fourth placed Aberdeen despite this setback against the Steelmen.
The Leith side had built a fourgame winning run but they never looked like making it five on the bounce. On-loan Hearts forward Jordan Roberts put Motherwell ahead on 25 minutes before he then set up Devante Cole for a second within a minute of the restart.
Newell has warned his teammates they cannot afford to slip up again like they did against Graham Alexander’s side if they want to claim that third spot.
He added: “It has been a good season so far.
“The Motherwell game was a bump in the road so we need to turn it round again next week.
“It was a disappointing afternoon, it wasn’t up the standards we’ve set.
“It took us too long to get going, Motherwell took the lead and we didn’t wake up until they scored the second early in the second half.
“We can’t afford to have games like that at this stage of the season.
“We have done brilliantly this season but it’s the business end now, we’re close to the finishing line and you need to keep the same performance level and stay at that intensity to get over the line.
“It’s not easy, Motherwell have been having a hard season but are still a good side.
“With Aberdeen not picking up a win it wasn’t too bad, but you don’t want to be looking at how other clubs have done.
“You want to maintain your own standards and focus on yourself.”