Booth proof that Hibs youth well isn't dry

The Haddington-born youngster's potential was spotted immediately by an eagle-eyed Easter Road scout at the age of just ten, Booth stepping onto Hibs' renowned conveyor belt of rising talent.

Today, at the age of 19, Booth has finally achieved his goal, pulling on a green-and-white shirt as he made his SPL debut although, he admitted, he had mixed emotions as Motherwell wrecked his big day by claiming a 2-0 win to further deepen Hibs' relegation worries.

The defeat was in stark contrast to his last visit to Fir Park when, aged just 17, he overcame an illness to help Hibs' Under-19 side win the SPL League title, making it a double a few days later as they went to Hampden to beat Rangers and lift the SFA Youth Cup.

Nevertheless, Booth today insisted he won't be dwelling on the weekend defeat, nor the shock Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Ayr United, the youngster having stepped off the bench for the final ten minutes at Somerset Park.

As tough an introduction as it may have been to life at the top, Booth believes better times lie ahead, convinced the quality exists within the Easter Road dressing-room to haul Hibs away from the foot of the SPL table where they precariously hover just three points ahead of basement outfit Hamilton, who have a game in hand.

Already a Scotland Under-21 internationalist with 15 Under-19 caps to his name, he said: "They haven't been the best two games to come in to, going out of the Cup and losing to Motherwell although there's not been so much pressure on me as a youngster.

"I enjoyed the experience although, obviously, I'd have enjoyed it a lot more had we won. I'd been told the day before I'd be playing which gave me time to prepare. It did cross my mind that the last time I'd played at Fir Park we'd won the League, Kurtis Byrne scoring the goal to clinch it so late on making it all the sweeter.

"I'd actually been ill and in my bed all week. I didn't even train the day before and it was only after the warm-up the decision was made that I'd start the game. Our coach Alistair Stevenson said it was up to me and, although I didn't have my best game I was, of course, delighted to have won.

"So I had happy memories of Fir Park which I'd like to have seen continue. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way and, in the end, it was a day of mixed emotions for me.

"The manager didn't say too much to me beforehand, just to go out and play my normal game and try to get forward as I always like to do although Chris Humphrey is a terrific opponent because of his speed.

"The likes of John Rankin, Kevin McBride and Ian Murray talked me through the game, while I've played plenty of times with Paul Hanlon so we have a good partnership."

Hanlon was at Booth's side throughout the 90 minutes, proof claimed the youngster that those who suggest the torrent of young talent being produced by Hibs has come to a sudden and dramatic halt are far off the mark.

He pointed out that David Wotherspoon, a team-mate in that all-conquering Under-19 side of two seasons ago, has already played more than 60 first team games while, like himself Byrne has returned from a spell on loan to begin his own push to be a regular member of Calderwood's team.

He said: "I was the second youngest of that Under-19 squad, only Scott Smith was younger than me and now there are four of us in the first team squad which shows there's still plenty of talent being brought through the ranks.

"I've actually been with the club since I was ten. I went along to one of their coaching courses during the school holidays, really just for a bit of fun, and I've been with Hibs ever since, working away and making my way towards being picked for the first team.

"When you join Hibs you look at the guys playing in the first team, at that time it was probably the likes of Scott Brown, Steven Whittaker, Kevin Thomson and Steven Fletcher and realise that you will be given your chance if you prove to be good enough."

Although Hanlon, who didn't enjoy the league and cup double having been promoted by former boss Mixu Paatelainen aged just 17, and Wotherspoon established themselves as first team regulars, it's taken Booth and Byrne a little longer to make the step-up.

Booth, however, believes the time the pair and other Easter Road youngsters have spent on loan elsewhere will prove invaluable, the youngster having played for Arbroath in the second half of last season and Brechin City for the first few months of this campaign.

He said: "I must have made between forty and fifty appearances between Arbroath and Brechin, it's totally different to playing Under-19 football. I enjoyed my time and both clubs, it brought me on as a player most definitely and it's something I'd recommend to any young player."

It was while he was with Brechin that Booth was handed a new four-and-a-half year contract by Calderwood, the player having obviously caught the manager's eye not only in the games he'd played in the Second Division but as he continued to train at East Mains and to feature in "bounce" matches for Hibs.

He said: "I was a wee bit surprised but I think the manager had seen quite a lot of me, he knows what I can offer and for my part it gives me security knowing my future has been sorted out."

Despite his tender years, Booth is determined to play his part in salvaging Hibs' season. He said: "We need to start getting results but I have every confidence we can dig ourselves out of this situation.

"We have a good squad, I don't think anyone thought we'd ever be second bottom. Confidence may be a bit low at the moment but I'm sure that once we get a couple of wins together we'll turn things around."

Yet another chance to begin that process presents itself tomorrow night when champions Rangers come to Easter Road, a challenge Booth insisted he's relishing. He said: "Hopefully I can keep my place although I know it will be difficult, probably more so after they were beaten at the weekend.

"I suppose if we were to win then people would describe it as something of a shock, a bit like when we beat them at Ibrox - but you never know. A win tomorrow might just turn our season round."