I owe Kompany big time for loaning me out to Hibs, admits Egan-Riley

FROM being within touching distance of an inspirational captain to watching a young manager soaring to new heights, CJ Egan-Riley remains thankful for the advice offered by Belgian legend Vincent Kompany.

Having risen through the youth ranks at Manchester City, the 20-year-old witnessed Kompany’s role in helping the English champions-in-waiting stamp their authority on the game down south.

Egan-Riley was reunited with his idol last summer when the Burnley boss signed him on a three-year deal. In January, he was encouraged by the former City skipper to develop on loan and arrived at Hibs.

The demands of the Premiership clearly differ to the standards expected under City manager Pep Guardiola, who handed Egan-Riley a taste of action in the Champions League and Premier League last season. But, for the versatile defender, listening to Kompany has been beneficial and he feels the move to Easter Road has improved his game.

He is now motivated to show the Belgian what he can offer when he returns to Turf Moor as Burnley prepare for life back in the

Premier League after winning the English Championship title.

‘I’ve been at City since I was a young boy, so I grew up watching Kompany,’ said Egan-Riley (right), who has made 12 appearances for Hibs. ‘I was a ball boy at some of their games before eventually training with the first team a few times. That was great because Vincent is someone I’ve always looked up to.

‘He’s a real role model of mine, so to work closely with him and have one-on-one time with him has really helped me.

‘He’s a leader and any advice I can get from him, Ijust soak it up. ‘Whether it’s tactics on the pitch or stuff off the pitch, he’s taught me things that will not only make me a better player but a better person, too.

‘There were a few specific things he wanted me to get out of this loan, but most of it was just to get minutes in my legs and professional games under my belt.

‘We thought this was the right fit and that’s why we chose Hibs. I haven’t looked back since.

‘I have definitely developed and improved. Every week there’s a new challenge here that helps me improve my game.’

Egan-Riley faces three final tests at Hibs ahead of the summer as the race for European spots reaches its climax. Today’s clash with Rangers in Leith precedes the visit of Celtic on Wednesday night before Saturday’s Edinburgh derby against Hearts at Tynecastle.

It is in these games that the young defender hopes to catch the eye of his parent club.

‘Of course, games against Rangers and Celtic is where Burnley will look at me closely,’ he added. ‘They want their players to step up in the biggest games, so to have three huge games against the best sides in the league coming up.

I can’t wait to show what I can do.’

Hibs boss Lee Johnson is expecting his players to be fired up for the Old Firm double-header after they were ‘absolutely annihilated’ by Rangers in a 4-1 defeat at Easter Road in March.

‘I don’t think we’ve been good enough against the Old Firm,’ said Johnson. ‘Against Rangers at home, I thought they absolutely annihilated us. They were outstanding and we were poor.

‘Whether us being poor made them outstanding or them being outstanding made us poor, it was probably a bit of both.

‘The next two games are big markers for us. You make decisions based on the back of these games.’