Late call and Glenn’s Hibs deal is sealed
GLENN MIDDLETON has revealed how a last-gasp phone call to Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom convinced him to pull the plug on a switch to the Netherlands in favour of Easter Road.
The Rangers winger looked set to seal a loan move to second-tier outfit NAC Breda last week, even travelling to the Rat Verlegh Stadium for advanced talks. However, Heckingbottom swooped at the 11th hour after a knee injury to Martin Boyle left him short of numbers on the flank. With Boyle ruled out until 2020, the Hibs head coach made a convincing case to Middleton — and the 19-year-old is adamant the offer was too good to turn down. The former Norwich City kid phoned Heckingbottom in person after initial chats had taken place between his agents and the club, setting the wheels in motion for the player to pen a season-long loan deal yesterday. Asked why he chose Hibs over NAC Breda, Middleton said: ‘The way Hibs’ manager spoke to me on the phone convinced me. I was pretty much set in my mind after that call that I’d like to play for Hibs. ‘When you get the chance to come to this sort of club in this stature of league, you can’t turn it down.’ Middleton’s move along the M8 comes just 48 hours after Rangers humbled hapless Hibs 6-1 at Ibrox. Nevertheless, he has no doubt Easter Road is the perfect place to kick-start his career after glowing references from Scotland Under-21 team-mates and former Rangers star Steven Whittaker. ‘I spoke to Ryan Porteous, Fraser Murray and Oli Shaw, who I know from Scotland duty, and they all said really good things about Hibs,’ added Middleton. ‘Whitts (Steven Whittaker) chipped in as well — so I’m just really excited to get going now. ‘It was good to get a few different opinions and, from what people said, it was clear that this was the right option for me.’ Middleton burst on to the scene for Rangers last season, scoring five goals in 28 appearances and shining in the Europa League against Spartak Moscow, Villarreal and Rapid Vienna. He also got a taste of the Old Firm derby last September as the Light Blues lost 1-0 at Celtic Park. However, it became apparent his first-team opportunities under Steven Gerrard would be limited this term following the arrivals of Jordan Jones, Sheyi Ojo and Greg Stewart — and he arrives in Leith with a point to prove. ‘I’ve got a real desire to succeed in my career,’ said the teenager. ‘This season I hope to kick-start things again. I want to show what I am capable of, with goals and assists.’ Middleton insists he is ready for a quick-fire debut when Hibs host Morton in the Betfred Cup last 16 this weekend. ‘I can’t wait to go out there and show people what I’m about and I’d love to be involved on Saturday,’ he added. Heckingbottom said: ‘I think our fans will enjoy watching Glenn play. He’s direct, quick and will add different qualities to the squad. It’s obvious he is desperate to play for this club.’