JOHN McGINN has backed his manager’s claim that Hibernian can finish the best-of-the-rest in their first season back in the top division. McGinn, named the Ladbrokes Championship Player of the Year, shares Neil Lennon’s confidence that the Easter Road club can hold off the threat of Aberdeen, Hearts and Rangers to finish as runners-up behind likely champions Celtic. Danny Swanson has already completed his move from St Johnstone and McGinn feels with a few more additions Hibs should be in a strong position to compete.
"Yes, I think [finishing second] is realistic,” said the Scotland midfielder. “The manager wants the best out of us. He was very hard on us throughout the year. At times he got really frustrated with us, but he knows what we can do and that's why we are so confident we can put down a real marker next season. It's good the manager has got that faith in us and we need to go and prove him right.
"There's a few of us who haven't played in the top flight, but there's also a fair few that have. It's a really exciting division. Celtic are the benchmark at the minute because they have been fantastic. But next year is a different season and we will be hoping to get as close to them as we can.
“But it's not going to be easy. As expectant as the manager is, I think we understand that there are still good teams up there. Aberdeen have been consistently strong over the past two seasons, Rangers will rebuild...a club that size always will. And so will Hearts. They've got rid of a few boys. They will recruit well, but so will we. We have already got a good nucleus of players who know what it takes to get results. The manager has raised his expectation levels, but we are confident we can go and do it.
"He's already started with Danny Swanson coming in. He's a brilliant signing who knows what the league is all about. It will be good to have him in the dressing room. I'm sure the manager and the board will recruit well.”
McGinn was honoured to get the award but felt some of his Hibs team-mates ought to have been under consideration too.
“It's good to get personal recognition and after achieving what we've attempted to achieve over the past three seasons it's good to top it off,” he added. “My team mates have been brilliant all season and they don't get the credit they deserve. A few of them are as worthy, if not more so, of getting the award. Big Darren McGregor has been terrific and Jason Cummings has scored over 20 goals again. They've been different class and thanks go to them for helping me win this.
“I won't mope about playing in the Championship because it's been brilliant for me. It doesn't get the credit it deserves. There are a lot of good players in the Championship and I don't think there is a lot of difference between the Championship and the lower end of the Premiership. But we have got to prove now we can compete and that's what we will try and do."
McGinn was named in Gordon Strachan’s squad for the forthcoming qualifier against England and has been keeping himself ticking over since the season finished.
“I've just been trying to keep fit. I took a week off at the end of the season to switch off and now my thoughts are with the Scotland versus England game. I feel in good shape and raring to go.”
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