Hibs draft in teenage keeper Paul Grant to back-up Mark Brown

HIBERNIAN goalkeeper Paul Grant thought his season had come to an end last Friday when he played in the club’s final under-19 league game of the current campaign.

Now, following injury to Graham Stack in the following day’s Scottish Cup semi-final, the 19-year-old has been drafted into the squad for this weekend’s league match against Kilmarnock – and is set to be involved up to and including the cup final itself.

Grant, a lifelong Hibs supporter from Edinburgh, has travelled with the first-team squad before in order to be given a taste of matchday experience with the senior team. He thought his involvement in this season’s Scottish Cup would be confined to a place on the bench against Cowdenbeath in the fourth round but, instead, he is now set to be understudy to Mark Brown against Hearts at Hampden on 19 May. “It’s scary just how quickly everything can change, but I’m just looking forward to it,” Grant told the Hibs website.

“I cannot wait for it to happen – that is what you work hard for. I’m gutted for Stacky and originally I thought he would only be out for a couple of weeks.

“The last time I was involved with the first team was in the cup at Cowdenbeath and it was a great experience, but being on the bench at Easter Road will be an amazing feeling. I’ve just got to train the right way, prepare properly and be part of the squad. I’ve travelled with the first-team squad before and I’ve got a feeling about what it is all about.”

Grant, nicknamed Bobo, has been given squad number 41. Calum Antell, the other goalkeeper who could come into contention for a place on the bench in league games, is cup-tied as a result of having played for East Stirling, where he has been on loan this season.