BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
OLI SHAW insists he is not fazed by comparisons to Jason Cummings as the Hibs starlet aims to follow in the footsteps of the former Easter Road ace.
The 19-year-old, who bagged 26 goals for the club’s development squad last term, has been a standout for the Hibees throughout pre-season, finding the net against Dunfermline and Berwick Rangers.
Shaw also crashed an effort off the cross-bar against English giants Sunderland as he continues to impress and, with the capital club light in numbers in attack following the departures of Cummings, Grant Holt and James Keatings, he could be handed a chance to shine in the upcoming Betfred Cup campaign.
Shaw’s movement and clinical touch has prompted some fans to liken the teenager to the colourful Cummings, who joined Nottingham Forest in a £1 million this summer following three goal-laden seasons in Leith.
And the former Stenhousemuir loan star insists he is big enough to handle the hype.
“That’s the pressure of following Jason – people will always compare – and I’m happy to cope with that,” said Shaw. “I am who I am, and I’m my own player, but I hope to bring as many goals to this club as Jason did.
“I’m definitely a wee but quieter that Jason! I just get on with my business. Jason was obviously the life and soul of the dressing room and he’ll be missed.
“I’m more of a silent one in there – but I’ll chip in if I’ve got something to say.
“Jason’s move just shows that Hibs are a massive club and, playing here and scoring goals as Jason did, you are going to get noticed.
“But you need to do it consistently and that’s what he did over three years. He got the goals that helped get us promotion and his move.
“As a young player, it’s easy to have one good season and then be poor the next – so you need to do it every year, like Jason did.”
Hibs head coach Neil Lennon has made no secret of his desire to bolster his attacking options, with the club persistently linked to Anthony Stokes and eyeing a move for former Aberdeen hit-man Simon Church.
Allied with Simon Murray and Brian Graham already on the books, Shaw knows he faces a battle for senior minutes. Nevertheless, the confident attacker would rather fight for his place at Easter Road than embark on another loan stint.
“I want to get into this team,” said Shaw. “This is my club and I am here because I want to play for Hibs. I see the fans in the stand and I want to play in front of them week-in, week-out. Hopefully the gaffer has faith in me.
“But if he feels right option is to go on loan then I will go with that – but my initial thought is I want to be here playing.”
