Maolida thanks Hibs but coy on his future
Myziane Maolida thanked Hibs for making him smile again but gave no firm commitment over his future as he capped off his fruitful loan spell with another goal in the season-ending draw at Livingston.
The Hertha Berlin forward netted for the 11th time in 19 appearances since his arrival in January to put Hibs in front at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Sunday afternoon before Bruce Anderson hit back to salvage a point for the already relegated home side.
Hibs have made no secret of their desire to bring Maolida back next season, but the 25-year-old was keeping his cards close to his chest as he addressed his future after the final match of the season.
“I don’t know for the future, you’ll have to see with [chief executive] Ben [Kensell] and the new [sporting] director [Malky Mackay]!” he said. "It’s not for me to say something. I just tried my best here to help the team, show everybody I can play many games without injuries, and play with a good mentality. I’m happy.”
Pressed on how he would respond if Hibs made an offer, he added: “I don’t know. I want to play at the highest level I can. I will see what happens in the transfer market. If I have a good opportunity to move, for me it’s logical, I want to play at a high level.”
Sunday’s match lacked quality and meant little to either side in terms of league position. But Maolida showed what he is capable of shortly after half-time when he connected well with a left-footed attempt that took a nick and flew beyond Shamal George and high into the far corner.
Maolida has a year left on his contract with Hertha but has no intention of returning to the side who deemed him surplus to requirements. “I have to see with Hertha what is happening,” he said. “I haven’t had contact but my agent has had contact with the sporting director. I think it’s clear that I want to leave Hertha, so I will see for the future.”
Maolida insists that Hibs have played an important part in helping him rediscover the form that convinced Nice to sign him from Lyon for €10 million in 2018. “It’s been a very good time for me,” he said. “Everything was not perfect, but I’ve tried my best. We tried for the top six, but didn’t get there. We gave the maximum, but it was not enough. For me, I am happy because I helped the team with goals and assists.
“I was with the second team at Hertha Berlin, and I was very sad, it was bad in my head. These six months with Hibs have given me a lot for my career, for everything. I am grateful to the club and the coaches, Nick [Montgomery], all the staff and now Dave [Gray]. I would like to say thank you to all the people at the club, they helped me a lot. I had a warm welcome from all the staff, players and fans. I want to say thank you because I felt very good here and enjoyed my football.”
Maolida also backed Gray for the permanent Hibs manager's job after he took charge of the final two matches of the season following the sacking of Montgomery last week. It is the fourth time Gray has held the reins on a temporary basis in the past two years, with the 2016 Scottish Cup winning legend sparking a response from the squad each time. “He can be good because he knows the club – he played for Hibs – and he knows all the players. I think he can help the team to go to the best position,” Maolida added.