Jason Cummings ditched fried food to improve form

The chippies’ loss has been Hibernian’s gain after Jason Cummings revealed how ditching battered Mars Bars has helped him satisfy his appetite for goals.

Six goals in six games for a resurgent Hibernian helped Jason Cummings win the Ladbrokes player of the month award for October. Picture: SNS Group

The 20-year-old is currently in the best form of his career, scoring six times in his last six appearances, including a clinically converted penalty kick in Wednesday night’s 3-0 League Cup win over Dundee United.

That prolific streak was acknowledged yesterday when the Scotland under-21 internationalist was named Ladbrokes Championship player of the month for October, ensuring double delight for the Easter Road side with Alan Stubbs claimed the manager’s award.

The top scorer in the second tier last term, Cummings has always possessed an eye for goal, however his performances this season have hinted at the development of an altogether more well-rounded footballer, bringing team-mates in to the game and stretching defences with his bright movement.

Cummings attributes his improvement to a wide range of factors, from tireless work with the coaching team at Hibs to shaking off his bad reputation off the pitch.

A regimented diet has also helped.

“I have stopped eating chippies! I have just been watching what I have been eating,” he smiled. “I feel physically stronger and fitter and I have been hitting the gym a lot more.

“I do miss a chippy, though. And a Deep Fried Mars Bar… I used to get one every lunchtime when I was at school. But no, the dog days are over now, I am past the chippy days. It’s salad now.

“I would say I have matured off the pitch a lot more this season just by not mucking about and working harder. Everyone is different but I think that is just down to growing up.

“There’s always room for improvement. I just want to score more goals and better myself. I have got time on my side, I am only 20. I still have a lot to learn, I am still quite raw.

“But I am out of my teenage years now and I realise I have a good chance. It’s easy to slip away so I want to do the best I can. It’s a short career.”

Cummings has scored 12 goals this season and his recent form has caught the eye of clubs in the English leagues. Swansea City eyed a move for the player in the summer, Rotherham United have publicly declared their interest and Fulham were last week linked with a January move.

“That is a massive compliment, if anything it makes me more confident and play better,” said Cummings. “A few of the boys mention it in here but I do hear about it on twitter and things like that. But I’ve got good people looking after me as well so they are better looking at that type of thing than me.

“All I am bothered about is playing football and scoring goals and I am enjoying it. I’m enjoying it here and that’s the main thing – if you’re not enjoying yourself what’s the point?

“I am scoring a lot of goals and I would love to help take the club back up to where it belongs. That’s one of the main aim for me and all the boys. We want to get back into that league and I think this season we have a great chance.”