Keep on playing me... I’ll keep on scoring
SAYS JASON CUMMINGS
FOR Jason Cummings, the equation couldn’t be much simpler. Sitting on the bench, he was never going to score. Having forced his way back into the Hibernian starting line-up, he doesn’t look like missing any half chances.
Revived and rejuvenated — his enthusiasm lifted by the addition of Chris Humphrey’s sheer pace on the right flank for the Championship leaders — Cummings doesn’t much resemble the out-of-favour and out-of-form striker who was cast aside by manager Neil Lennon just a few weeks ago.
Buoyed by banging in a double in Friday night’s total destruction of promotion rivals Dundee United, the Easter Road side’s top scorer is now on 12 league goals for the season as he chases last year’s overall tally of 25 at breakneck speed.
And the cocky 21-year-old says his recent run of four strikes in as many games is easy to explain.
‘I wasn’t scoring when I wasn’t playing — so that makes sense,’ said Cummings with a grin. ‘I am back in the team and I base my game on scoring goals. When you have players around you that give you service like this, it makes my job easy.
‘When you’re not playing, a lot of thoughts go round your head.
‘I’ll be honest, you do think: “I need to come on here and make an impact — or I am going to be benched again.”
‘It is as simple as that. Having said that, if you look at the strikers that are on the bench now, we all feel that we should be playing.
‘The manager can only pick 11 players and you just want to play well in every game and keep your jersey.
‘My confidence is good and high just now. Even when I am not playing, I don’t get too down or bothered about things.
‘That’s 12 goals I’ve got now, which is quite a decent return, considering I’ve not started as many games as I would have liked.
‘I will just keep plugging away. I really fancy beating my record from last season.’
The addition of former Motherwell winger Humphrey, whose first-half showing in Friday night’s debut left the United defence reeling at Easter Road, certainly appears to give Hibs another dimension. An element of fleet-footed danger to balance out Martin Boyle on the opposite flank.
‘He was different class against United,’ agreed Cummings of his new team-mate. ‘I didn’t know what he was like as a player. I knew he was fast — but he surprised me with how good he was.
‘We have made an instant connection since he came in here and he set me up twice for my two goals.
‘The delivery for the second goal was every striker’s dream. Playing with two wingers like Humphrey and Boyle is going to be great.’
As promising an addition as Humphrey looks to be for Lennon, the return from ankle surgery of John McGinn — scorer of a truly sublime late third against United — is surely more valuable than any new signing.
The full Scotland international is a cut above the vast majority of Championship players, his comeback greeted with a standing ovation from over 18,000 fans at Easter Road… and a cheeky word of ‘appreciation’ from Cummings.
‘Aye, the meatball came on and it turned into the John McGinn show,’ said the striker with a laugh. ‘I don’t know how he sneaked that goal past the keeper.
‘I was delighted for him because he has had a hard time of it with injury over the last few weeks and it is a fitting reward for him.
‘John is a massive player for Hibs and he gets the supporters going, which helps us as well. He is a key player for us.
‘John and myself have built up a good bond on and off the pitch. He knows when I’m going to make my runs. I enjoy playing alongside him.’
Celtic star Kris Commons is another whose talents are helping Hibs in their latest bid to a return to the top flight, albeit there was speculation over the weekend that there might be competition from the MLS for his services once his emergency loan period expires on January 15.
‘There is more competition for places now and, if you look at our bench, there are some unbelievable players who should be playing from the start,’ said Cummings. ‘It helps everyone and it keeps us all right on our toes and makes us play better.
‘Look at Kris Commons, who is a great, great player. Everybody can see, just by looking at his technique and ability on the ball, that he is way above the level he’s playing at.
‘He has helped me massively since he came in and it is an absolute joy to play with him. He can see things that most other players can’t — I am learning a lot from him.’
Victory over United put Hibs four points clear at the top of the table, although neither Lennon nor his players are likely to get carried away with a lead easily eaten up amid the chaotic irregularities of Scotland’s second tier.
‘It is far from over,’ warned Cummings. ‘Dundee United are a big club and they are a good team.
‘We definitely don’t want to get complacent. We will keep our feet firmly on the ground.
‘We will go again against Dumbarton next week with the same attitude. Hopefully, we get the result and stay top of the table.’