Nothing rocky about Marciano’s progress for club and country
Ofir Marciano believes Hibs’ clash with Celtic this afternoon will offer a taste of what is to come in Scotland’s Euro semifinal Play-off on October 8.
The Israeli keeper has been in superb form for the Edinburgh side, pulling off a couple of spectacular stops to deny Rangers in the clubs’ 2-2 draw last Sunday.
And having established himself as his country’s No. 1, he can also look forward to playing in the huge international match coming up at Hampden in under a fortnight’s time.
“Like Scotland, we haven’t been at a big tournament for a long time (the 1970World Cup), so the fans are very excited,” he said.
“And we know we have a game coming up that is our most important for a long time.
“In two months’ time, we might be in the Euros. We have a chance.
“First, we have to try to be at our best and get past Scotland at Hampden, and then we will have another tough game against either Norway or Serbia. But first things first.
“We have a new coach, Willibald Ruttensteiner, and we have been really happy with him over the last two games.
“He worked with us before as technical director, so we understood what he wants from us and we have felt confident, which is good. Hopefully we can manage to take those qualities into our next games, and be at our best.”
While there is still some water to flow under the bridge before the Play-off, the fact Marciano plays in Scotland – he stayed on during the lockdown – adds an extra layer of intrigue.
“Celtic’s best players – Ryan Christie, Callum Mcgregor and James Forrest – are all a threat at national level as well,” he said. “I know Israel will have to watch them, but first I have to come up against them for my club.
“That is OK, though, because it is always good to face goodquality players. I like it, and enjoy playing at those levels.
“Of course, this will be tougher even than Rangers last week, especially because we play away from home.
“We know what Celtic are at Parkhead. We know they are a great team. But we trust in ourselves, and know that there are areas we can exploit.
“However, we have worked hard this week, and believe we are going to have a good match.”
As his comments suggest, at 30, Marciano is a man at peace with himself.
“I’m in a good place now,” he said.
“I’m happy that I have created a good environment around me, and I’m enjoying my job and how my life is. I want to keep that as much as I can.
“You can look back on my time at Hibs, or even earlier stages in my career, and I have played well.
‘But I’m definitely in a good place right now because I feel like I am in control. I try to do my best every day, and not get carried away with a good performance.”
Marciano is out of contract at the end of the season, and has been linked with a move away. With Neil Lennon the man who brought him to Scotland, Celtic’s name has been prominent.
“I am trying not to think about it,” said the Hibs keeper. Obviously, we always have ambitions to make our best, and be at the best places. But at the moment, I am in a great place.
“I am happy at this club, my family are settled here and this is the only thing I am worried about – to be as good as I can be here.
“No one knows future will bring.”
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