Drey Wright speaks on summer of stress and why Hibs is the right place for him

Winger was Hibees’ first summer signing

Drey Wright is all smiles during a Hibs training session at East Mains

Hibs winger Drey Wright has opened up on a stressful couple of weeks before his move to the Easter Road side was confirmed.

The 25-year-old knocked back the offer of a new contract from St Johnstone and became a free agent amid interest from the Capital club and a host of clubs north and south of the border. He eventually put pen to paper on a two-year deal last week, but the former Colchester wideman has revealed it wasn’t easy playing the waiting game.

Risks and leaps of faith

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “When an offer from St Johnstone came in, it was one that I had to turn down. Speaking to [Hibs sporting director] Graeme Mathie and [head coach] Jack Ross, they were 100 per cent honest with me from day one, which is something I really appreciated.

"The risk was that I wouldn't be walking straight into a contract; I'd have to take that leap of faith and put my trust in them that hopefully, something would get sorted out.

"It wasn't an easy time; there was a lot of stress in my household. My partner was in my ear every day asking me what was happening and it was hard to just keep telling her I didn't know, because it was a difficult summer. But we're on the other side of it now and things are looking up.

"You do appreciate when people are honest with you, and I had that from day one, from the manager and from Graeme so it was a good start to our working relationship."

Wright began training at East Mains at the start of July, fuelling speculation that a deal was on the cards. However, there was interest in the player from England with Bristol Rovers reportedly keen on bringing the attacker to League One.

A decision to make

"I was lucky that my phone was ringing a few times and I did have a decision to make, but with the different markets up here and back down south, it was one of [those situations] where you don't want to miss the opportunity when it comes up, in case of maybe wanting for better or one that's more suited,” he explained.

"Once the call came through from Hibs and things were starting to progress, and I was able to get in the building and train, it was a no-brainer really.

"I think I showed the desire I had to be a Hibs player [by joining without a contract].

"Now I just want to get out and show the fans what I can do, and hopefully they take to me as a player and as a person and I'll have a good relationship with them.”

As well as interest from Bristol Rovers, Hearts were also said to have tried to convince the winger that his future lay at Tynecastle.

Asked if he felt Hibs was the best place for him in spite of that reported late interest, Wright replied: "Definitely. I'm exactly where I want to be."

Wright could play a part in Hibs’ closed-doors friendly with Scottish Premiership rivals Ross County at the Hibernian Training Centre on Saturday, having set up Jamie Gullan’s goal in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren and featured in the midweek stalemate with former employers St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.