Rowan Vine adamant he could have helped Hibs

Rowan Vine, right, has had a new lease of life since leaving Leith. Picture: Ian Rutherofrd

Vine, who failed to find the back of the net during his brief stint at Easter Road, signed for the already doomed Cappielow club on transfer deadline day in January. The Englishman has scored four goals and created four more in his 11 starts.

However, he remains disappointed that he was never given a chance under Terry Butcher,  especially as Hibs have been dragged into serious relegation trouble in the Premiership. Sunday’s defeat in the Edinburgh derby by Hearts left them just one point off the play-off place and Vine is adamant that he could have made his presence felt at Hibs if he had been afforded an opportunity to show what he was capable of.

“I signed a year’s contract with Hibs but only started six games for them up until January, and only four of those were in the league,” the 31-year-old said.

“Pat Fenlon signed me and I was involved when Pat was there. I was completely happy with everything, apart from obviously the team’s form, which wasn’t brilliant. But anyone looking at Hibs now can tell there is a lot wrong down there. I did not have a glimmer of a chance with the new manager so I had to move on.”

The move to Greenock has revitalised Vine, who added: “I had not played for three months before I came to Morton so I have been pleased with how I have played here. Anyone will tell you it’s the hardest thing in the world when you are sat around training and not even playing reserve games.

“You know, I’m 31 now, so it’s even harder to get match-fit. You have to fight back to get some form and confidence after that. I feel like I’m getting there now.

“I wanted minutes on the park and I have been involved, scored goals and made goals here, so have got to be quite happy.

“I look at how I am playing now, and then what is happening at Hibs and I cannot for the life of me think I wouldn’t be affecting games if I played for their team.”

BT Sport Q&A: Rangers | Hibs | Neil Lennon

THIS week’s BT Sport video Q&A looks at whether Rangers fans will buy season tickets and if the club’s supporters will force a change of ownership.

The form of Hibs under Terry Butcher is also examined following the Easter Road side’s derby defeat while the future of Neil Lennon is also considered following the announcement that his assistant Johan Mjallby is to depart at the end of the season.

• Email your Scottish football question for the BT Sport panel to answer. The next show will be recorded on May 7 after St Johnstone v Celtic with the video available on The Scotsman website the following day. You can also tweet us @TheScotsman.

A line-up of experts will handle your questions after each BT Sport game. Most match days, the team includes Darrell Currie, Derek Rae and Gary McAllister.

Over this season, BT Sport will air 30 SPFL matches plus 10 Rangers games from the SPFL League One.

• T&C We can not guarantee which presenters will answer your questions. Questions are vetted and no correspondence will be entered into.