Hibs: Michael's heart set on another run in Europe

MICHAEL HART ended his Aberdeen career on a European high and now Hibs' latest signing hopes to bring similar success to Easter Road.

The right-back was part of the Dons' side which enjoyed a thrilling UEFA Cup run three years ago, beating Ukrainian outfit Dnipro before managing to negotiate their way through what was dubbed "the group of death" with matches against Panathinaikos, Lokomotiv Moscow, Atletico Madrid and Copenhagen to set up a showdown with German giants Bayern Munich.

Now the 30-year-old is eyeing a repeat performance with his first competitive match in a green-and-white jersey being a Europa League clash with either Hungarian side Videoton or Maribor from Slovenia.

Recalling that epic UEFA Cup run, Hart admitted he can hardly wait for the action to begin. Speaking exclusively to the Evening News at the Easter Road club's impressive Dutch base, he said: "It's an exciting way to start the season, we were all watching anxiously for the draw.

"Whether it is Videoton or Maribor it will be tough but, like anything in football, you have to win these games. It's also something different to look forward to. In the SPL, you are playing each other three or four times a season so these games give you the chance to experience a different culture, a different way of playing the game and being able to test yourself against them to see how you cope.

"I was also lucky enough to play for Livingston against Sturm Graz after we'd finished third in the league a few years beforehand. Unfortunately, I had left Aberdeen before the Bayern Munich games but it is certainly the sort of stage you want to play on."

Hart missed out on facing Bayern having signed a pre-contract with English side Preston North End, his switch to Lancashire advanced as Aberdeen agreed a 100,000 fee rather than lose him for nothing a few years later. Unfortunately for him, his stay at Deepdale was less than memorable, ending when new boss Darren Ferguson revealed he'd be one of a number of players who wouldn't be featuring in his plans this coming season.

The Bellshill-born star said: "Preston are a great club but eight of us were told we wouldn't be playing. I knew Hibs had been interested for a while so I was desperate to come back up to Scotland and I'm just delighted my future has been settled and I am now at a club where I will get that opportunity to play."

Hibs boss John Hughes had signalled his interest in Hart away back in January when it looked as if a loan deal could be arranged but a change of manager, Ferguson, the son of Manchester United boss Sir Alex, replacing the sacked Alan Irvine, threw the player the hope, later dashed, of an extended stay with Preston.

Although his two years "down south" proved frustrating, Hart dogged by injury, he revealed that, in fact, he'd been fit throughout the whole of last season only to find his way to the team blocked by his rival for the right-back berth Billy Jones.

He said: "I'd had my frustrations with injury but last season I didn't miss a day's training, I was on the bench and playing now and again but I just didn't want to be there picking up the money.

"Alan Irvine actually wanted to keep me, it was more a case of me pestering him to get games. He wanted to keep me involved and told me I'd get my chance but Billy was never injured.

"He played every week. The year before Preston had enjoyed the best defensive record in the league and while Billy was staying fit and doing well I couldn't have any complaints.

"It's great for a player when he keeps you in when you are doing well. I got the odd cup game and did well but Billy had the jersey. It was for him to keep and for me to take it off him but ,unfortunately for me, the opportunity never really arose."

Hughes, of course, renewed his interest in Hart on learning of the latest change in his circumstances, the Hibs manager well aware right-back had been a problem throughout last season with Kevin McCann unable to shrug off his continual injury problems, resulting in David Wotherspoon, Sol Bamba, Chris Hogg and Darren McCormack all playing out of position to plug the gap.

Not only is Hart a recognised right-back, but he, along with Dutch signing Edwin de Graaf, brings some of the experience which Hughes had also claimed his squad was lacking.

Hart said: "The attraction for me is that Hibs always try to play football. Even since I signed on pre-season has been very tiring but, while we still do the running, everything is all on the ball, passing and moving. Watching Hibs games last season they were probably one of the best passing teams outside the Old Firm – if not the best.

"I see very positive things at the club, we've got a great bunch of lads, players who were well known in England while the stadium and training facilities are unbelievable but it was also the manager himself who sold me, he has such passion for football and ambition.

"I've heard the manager say a few times about looking for experience. I talk and moan a lot, whether that helps or hinders I don't know but I'd like to think it helps. We have young guys like David Wotherspoon, who has a terrific attitude. He sits and listens and if he doesn't get drawn into any stupid things he will make a great career for himself.

"But he isn't alone, there's a lot of youngsters who, if they sit and listen to the manager and the more experienced players like Liam Miller and watch the way guys like Anthony Stokes finish when he is on his game then they will learn a lot.

"If I can help them in any way I will do so."

Having found Easter Road one of the toughest venues in Scotland as an opposing player, Hart admitted he's looking forward to now playing in a green-and-white shirt in the new-look ground with the 6400 capacity East Stand nearing completion.

He said: "It was always hard to come to Easter Road but we want to make it even tougher. I always found Tynecastle intimidating with the fans right on top of you so hopefully our supporters will generate a terrific atmosphere. The pitch will also be bigger which should suit us so, all in all, I am really looking forward to getting out there and playing." I knew Hibs had been interested for a while so I was desperate to come back up to Scotland and I'm just delighted my future has been settled and I am now at a club where I will get that opportunity to play."

Hibs boss John Hughes had signalled his interest in Hart away back in January when it looked as if a loan deal could be arranged but a change of manager, Ferguson, the son of Manchester United boss Sir Alex, replacing the sacked Alan Irvine, threw the player the hope, later dashed, of an extended stay with Preston.

Although his two years "down south" proved frustrating, Hart dogged by injury, he revealed that, in fact, he'd been fit throughout the whole of last season only to find his way to the team blocked by his rival for the right-back berth Billy Jones.

He said: "I'd had my frustrations with injury but last season I didn't miss a day's training, I was on the bench and playing now and again but I just didn't want to be there picking up the money.

"Alan Irvine actually wanted to keep me, it was more a case of me pestering him to get games. He wanted to keep me involved and told me I'd get my chance but Billy was never injured.

"He played every week. The year before Preston had enjoyed the best defensive record in the league and while Billy was staying fit and doing well I couldn't have any complaints.

"It's great for a player when he keeps you in when you are doing well. I got the odd cup game and did well but Billy had the jersey. It was for him to keep and for me to take it off him but ,unfortunately for me, the opportunity never really arose."

Hughes, of course, renewed his interest in Hart on learning of the latest change in his circumstances, the Hibs manager well aware right-back had been a problem throughout last season with Kevin McCann unable to shrug off his continual injury problems, resulting in David Wotherspoon, Sol Bamba, Chris Hogg and Darren McCormack all playing out of position to plug the gap.

Not only is Hart a recognised right-back, but he, along with Dutch signing Edwin de Graaf, brings some of the experience which Hughes had also claimed his squad was lacking.

Hart said: "The attraction for me is that Hibs always try to play football. Even since I signed on pre-season has been very tiring but, while we still do the running, everything is all on the ball, passing and moving. Watching Hibs games last season they were probably one of the best passing teams outside the Old Firm - if not the best.

"I see very positive things at the club, we've got a great bunch of lads, players who were well known in England while the stadium and training facilities are unbelievable but it was also the manager himself who sold me, he has such passion for football and ambition.

"I've heard the manager say a few times about looking for experience. I talk and moan a lot, whether that helps or hinders I don't know but I'd like to think it helps. We have young guys like David Wotherspoon, who has a terrific attitude. He sits and listens and if he doesn't get drawn into any stupid things he will make a great career for himself.

"But he isn't alone, there's a lot of youngsters who, if they sit and listen to the manager and the more experienced players like Liam Miller and watch the way guys like Anthony Stokes finish when he is on his game then they will learn a lot.

"If I can help them in any way I will do so."

Having found Easter Road one of the toughest venues in Scotland as an opposing player, Hart admitted he's looking forward to now playing in a green-and-white shirt in the new-look ground with the 6400 capacity East Stand nearing completion.

He said: "It was always hard to come to Easter Road but we want to make it even tougher. I always found Tynecastle intimidating with the fans right on top of you so hopefully our supporters will generate a terrific atmosphere. The pitch will also be bigger which should suit us so, all in all, I am really looking forward to getting out there and playing."