Young Hibs star keen to improve after derby draw puts him in mood for Scottish Cup tie

However, the young Hibs star, who was only promoted to the full squad from the Under-19s at the beginning of the season, insisted today that he's desperate to be involved again this weekend when his side take on Irvine Meadow. Hibs play host to the juniors side this Saturday in the fourth round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup with manager John Hughes hinting that there won't be many changes to the side that faced Hearts last Sunday.

With Darren McCormack – who came in at right-back against the Tynecastle side – suspended following his straight red card in that match for an off-the-ball head-butt on Hearts' Ruben Palazuelos, Wotherspoon seems the obvious choice to slot straight back into the defence.

Wotherspoon has occupied the right-back slot for much of this season but was pushed further up the park into his favoured right-midfield berth on Sunday as Sol Bamba's absence had forced Hughes to change things around in defence.

While right midfield is his preferred position, Wotherspoon admits he doesn't mind where Hughes chooses to play him, just as long as he continues to be involved.

The 19-year-old has won himself an army of fans with consistently high standards of performance and he's keen for that to continue.

He said: "I don't really mind where the manager plays me, just as long as he does.

"I know that people have different opinions on younger boys coming into the side and playing a lot of games.

"Obviously, there are a lot of matches, especially over the Christmas and New Year period, and you do get tired, but I think that it is the same for everyone and I am more than happy right now.

"I've been playing at right-back and it has been brilliant being part of the first team but I have to admit that I prefer playing on the right side of midfield so was delighted when the manager told me I was going to be pushed in there for the game against Hearts."

Having been delighted at the switch to a more advanced position on the park, Wotherspoon revealed that he thought there had still been room for improvement in his performance.

He added: "There was a bit of shuffling around because people were missing so the gaffer needed to change things around.

"But, at the end of the day, we have got to be able to adapt to that.

"It was unfortunate that it didn't pay off and, to be honest, I don't think that I had the best of games.

"My passing wasn't that great, I didn't see enough of the ball – and when I did, I gave it away too often.

"I know that I can do better and I hope to get more chances to play there again this season."

Wotherspoon is well aware of Hibs' disappointing record in the country's major knockout competition and is hoping they can finally bring their 108-year Scottish Cup drought to an end this season.

Despite their lowly status, the youngster insists Ayrshire side Meadow will be afforded every respect to avoid the threat of a slip-up.

He continued: "We have another big game again this weekend and I hope I am involved, but obviously everyone is the same.

"The manager spoke to us after the game and he said that he didn't expect there to be too many changes to the side and I think that shows you the respect that he will give to Irvine Meadow. It's a normal game with a lot at stake, we will show them every respect and treat this like we would any other game.

"Obviously, some people are taking it for granted that we will get through but that's not something the players or the manager will be doing.

"They will make it very difficult for us and, on top of that, you never know what you are going to get in terms of luck, the pitch and particularly the weather right now. We know it will be tough, we just have to make sure that we focus on what we are doing in training and take that into the game with us.

"Everyone is thinking solely about the game and focusing on the task in hand. It has been 108 years since we last won this competition and it would be nice to change that but we are not looking that far ahead right now. We are just trying to win every game that we play and take it from there."

Hibs were disappointed not to take all three points from the game against Hearts last weekend and Wotherspoon admitted that the younger members of the side must now step up to the plate when it comes to expressing their opinions out on the pitch.

He believes that Hughes is the perfect character to bring out the best in his kids and give them the confidence to speak their minds during team meetings and in game situations.

"The overall emotion after the game was one of disappointment," Wotherspoon conceded.

"A lot of people were disappointed with the way the game went and the way that we played, the way that we passed the ball. We all agreed that in the days before the game and during it there just wasn't enough talking going on and it was maybe just a wee bit of that.

"There's no doubting that everyone worked hard in training in the build-up and in the game itself but it just wasn't enough.

"The more experienced boys talk more and we are trying to develop that into our game there are a lot of quite people on and off the pitch – myself included – so hopefully we can all become a bit more vocal.

"We were used to that in the 19s, so it's just a case of transferring that to the first team and the manager is trying to bring everyone out of their shells. He is a strong influence on the team, especially vocally, and he's always trying to give everyone a bit of a laugh and get you speaking. I think that I have seen an improvement in me in terms of getting involved and through my talking on the pitch and in team situations."