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New Hibs playmaker Danny Swanson admits he is delighted head coach Neil Lennon has said he is aiming for second in the Premiership – because he will not be content with just a top six finish.
The ambitious Lennon wants his team to finish the best of the rest on their return to the top-flight, a position that Aberdeen have occupied in the last three campaigns.
Swanson played his part in helping St Johnstone clinch fourth spot last term and the dyed-in-the-wool Hibs supporter insists he will thrive on the pressure of trying to realise former Celtic manager Lennon’s target.
Swanson, who met his new team-mates yesterday on the squad’s return to pre-season training, said: “It’s something I’m delighted he’s come out and said.
“I’m not here to just finish in the top six. It would still be an achievement if we do that, but I’m a very ambitious person as well.
“This club deserves to be up there and over the years it hasn’t been.
“There’s been a lot of bad times at Hibs, but there’s a good feel factor about at the moment.
“Everybody’s buying season tickets that I know and it’s just a club on the up.
“I went to the games as a fan when they won promotion last time and all the players came up with the team and did well, so hopefully we can do the same.
“I don’t really look forward to coming back from my holidays but I was this time knowing I’m coming here and I’m excited.
“I’m was looking forward to meeting the boys and I’m excited about pulling the jersey.
“It’s a massive thing for me and I’m really excited for it.”
Swanson, meanwhile, is desperate to taste success at Hibs after admitting that he was envious of boy-hood friend Darren McGregor’s Scottish Cup heroics.
He added: “I’m not going to lie, I was a wee bit jealous of him going up to lift the Scottish Cup with Hibs.
“Obviously I was delighted for him as well but there was a wee bit of jealousy there.
“Darren was actually at my wee boy’s party and when you speak to him about it, he loves the club and you can just feel it and you’re like ‘alright Darren’ you know?.
“But then I spoke to him at the party and he said ‘you’ll regret it if you never do it’ and having that wee conversation with him sort of sent it home for me.
“I was saying to him ‘go speak to your manager’ but thankfully it all worked out in the end. I’m delighted and looking forward to playing with him as well.”
