Hibs new boy: I didn't come here to go back down

HIBS new boy Martin Scott today insisted he can help the Easter Road outfit escape the threat of relegation, declaring: "I haven't signed a three-and-a-half year contract to play in the First Division again."

The midfielder made the step up to the SPL by becoming one of three signings by boss Colin Calderwood this week and, while the 24-year-old admitted Hibs are "in a dogfight," he firmly believes the Edinburgh outfit can beat the drop.

Although he made his debut in the SPL as a teenager, playing alongside the likes of Derek Adams, now Calderwood's assistant in the Capital, Paul Lambert and fellow youngsters Graham Dorrans, Robert Snodgrass and James McPake for Livingston, Scott, pictured, has spent the last four-and-a-half years playing for Highland side Ross County.

Last season, the midfield star was part of the Staggies side which shocked the nation by dumping Hibs and then Celtic out of the Scottish Cup only to lose in the final to Dundee United.

But today Scott revealed that experience had only whetted his appetite for a move to top-flight football, jumping at the opportunity to do so when Calderwood made what has been reported to be a 80,000 bid.

The Livingston-born player said: "When a club the size of Hibs asks for your services there's not too much to consider or too much persuasion needed.

"We are definitely in a dog-fight at the moment but I signed my contract to have a go in the SPL.

"That's where I want to be playing next season.

"I've been striving for this chance throughout my career, I've learned my trade the hard way in the First Division, I realise how important it is to fight for everything you get and I can promise the Hibs supporters I will be doing everything within my capabilities to hopefully help us climb up the table."