Graham Stack takes pay drop and vows to prove his worth at Hibernian

Stack's decision to remain at Easter Road will boost manager Colin Calderwood and the fans growing uneasy at the way rivals Hearts have hogged the headlines this week with the capture of a hat-trick of new signings.

The former Arsenal goalie has suffered a nightmare injury spell since moving to the capital two years ago under John Hughes and knows his lack of games have played a part in the club's negotiations with him.

A persistent back problem has kept him sidelined for great swathes of the last two seasons, with a freak eye injury sustained in training also adding to his woes at the tail end of last term.

When the 29-year-old overcame a problematic bulging disc in his spine earlier this season, he quickly emerged as Calderwood's first choice between the sticks, only to damage his shoulder ligaments in a hefty aerial challenge with Mark McLaughlin in February's 1-0 win over Hamilton.

With surgery having kept him out of action since then, the ex-Plymouth Argyle and Reading keeper admitted to concerns over his future as his deal ran down.

However, a month of prolonged talks with Calderwood and the Hibs hierarchy have finally borne fruit and the Londoner is now desperate to make up for lost time in the coming 12 months.

He said: "Sometimes things go on longer than you would like but we had to make sure the deal was right for both parties.

"I'm taking a wage cut to stay, signing for less money than I was on before, but that was something I was prepared to do.

"I had one or two other options down south but I'm very settled at Hibs and I'm chuffed to bits to be staying.

"It was never about the money. It was always about what was best for me and the family. We discussed it and decided it was too good an opportunity to turn down to stay at the club.

"I've got three kids now and, of course, everyone wants to be earning as much as possible. But I've been fortunate enough to have been at some big clubs in the past and earned a decent wage, so it was about being settled and we can now get on with looking for houses and everything else.

"I do feel I've got a point to prove as well. I've not played as many games as I would have liked because of my injuries, but I've had a cracking time at Hibs.

"I've got a great relationship with the rest of the boys and get on well with (goalkeeping coach) Scott Thomson, and since the gaffer's come in he's been first class.

"But we've got unfinished business with regards what we've achieved. We've not finished in the top three or had a good cup run.

"We definitely under-achieved this season just past and hopefully we can put that right next season."