BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Sean Mackie has targeted a first-team breakthrough at Easter Road after Hibernian won the tug of war with city rivals Hearts for the teenager’s signature.
Mackie, a graduate of the Fife Elite Football Academy, trained with both sides of the Edinburgh divide after catching the eye in the Raith Rovers youth ranks.
Despite impressing Hearts’ under-20s manager Jon Daly, only Hibs stumped up the asking price for the 17-year-old, which was believed to be an initial fee of around £25,000.
The promising defender, who made his Raith debut in August at the age of just 16, penned a four-year deal with the Hibees last month and it is hoped he will ultimately provide competition for first-choice left-back Lewis Stevenson.
Mackie said: “From being at Raith, Hibs is a much bigger club so there was a wee bit of pressure when I found out about their interest. But I just tried to do my best and they decided to sign me, so I am delighted to be here.
“There’s been a big difference [from Raith]. This is a massive club and the training centre lets you do extra work after training to benefit yourself and make yourself a better player.
“Alan Stubbs and the staff have all told me that if I’m good enough then I’ll get a chance. I just need to stick in and do well. They have encouraged me and gave me plenty of help already.”
He told Hibs TV: “My ambition is to breakthrough and make it into the first-team. I’ll take each step as it comes and the main thing is I become a better player here.”
