CJ Egan-Riley is ready to play in any position he is needed by Lee Johnson as he roared: "If that's what he wants, that's what I'll do."
The versatile star arrived on loan from English Championship high-flyers Burnley until the summer and was thrown on for the final stages of the midweek draw with Ross County in Dingwall. He came in at right-back to replace Chris Cadden - and he is happy to adopt that position if the manager needs him there. Johnson's message on recruiting him was down to quality not versatility as he hailed the show of faith to hand him his bow.
Reacting to his first taste of action for the Hibees, he said: "To come on and make my debut and get a good 20 minutes was good, I'm more used to the conditions now and the playing surfaces and getting to know my team-mates as well. The result wasn't what we wanted but we have to keep pushing forward."
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He continued: "We haven't clarified anything, the manager didn't tell me I'm definitely going to play in one position. He likes that I'm a versatile player and said he brought me in because of my quality more than the positional stuff.
"On Tuesday I was needed at right-back so if that's what he wants, that's what I'll do. The manager showed his faith in me by putting me on when we were drawing a game like that so it was a massive compliment for me.”
The Easter Road side face a massive weekend clash with St Mirren in terms of the top six picture and hunt for European football.
The Buddies - who have played one game less - hold a two point advantage over the men from Leith and the chance to leapfrog Stephen Robinson's men will be the only motivation needed ahead of a two week break due to Scottish Cup elimination. It's then games with Kilmarnock, Livingston, Rangers and Celtic in the next four league outings.
It's those kind of games the 20-year-old wants to be part of as he explained his decision to move to the capital on loan. He added: "Burnley has been great, I've learned so much and we're flying as a team and the manager's great, I just want to play more.
He told Edinburgh Evening News : “It's nothing against Burnley, they've got great players and I've come here and I'm ready to give my all for Hibs. Vincent Kompany wished me all the best and even helped me by speaking to me about what move might be best for me and all that kind of stuff. He's a legend and a great manager so any advice I can get from him I'll take."
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