More self-belief all Lewis Stevenson needs, claims Pat Fenlon

HIBS boss Pat Fenlon today claimed Lewis Stevenson can have a huge impact at Easter Road if the little midfielder shows more faith in his own ability.

Stevenson has become a first-team regular since Fenlon took charge last November, his 30 appearances so far this season triggering a one-year contract extension for a player who’s future looked somewhat uncertain less than 12 months ago.

And Fenlon is convinced the 24-year-old – named man-of-the-match at the age of 19 as Hibs lifted the CIS Insurance Cup in 2007 – still has much further to go in the game with greater self-belief, in his opinion, a major factor.

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The Irishman revealed Stevenson, who missed the Scottish Cup semi-final win against Aberdeen because of suspension, was at the top of his list of players he wanted to keep at Easter Road, delighted his contract extension has saved him a round of negotiations. He said: “We missed Lewis last week, no doubt about that. He brings an energy and drive, he is what you want in a player, a great attitude. You don’t really know he is around, he just gets on with his job.

“But it’s also having a belief in your own ability. He is in the team for a reason and that’s because he has done really well not just that’s he’s a good lad.

“He works really hard and I think he can get better. I don’t think he has reached the top of his game, I feel there is more in him.

“You are hoping the fact he is in the team most times will help him in relation to confidence and belief that he can go and play and get better rather than just stand still.

“He has to believe in himself, that’s what he has to work on without being cocky and he’s not going to be cocky. He has to be confident in his own ability and trust himself to play.”