STEPHANE
The jovial Belgian has already become something of a viral sensational among Internet-savvy Hibees after an Instagram video of him tickling the ivories emerged online.
The 21-year-old, away from home and apart from his girlfriend after arriving on loan from Genoa in January, revealed that he took up the hobby to fill the long days following
Indeed, one can safely say that Omeonga is the first SPFL footballer to ever use a media conference to profess his admiration for Italian pianist and composer, Ludovico Einaudi.
“How good am I as a piano player? I don’t know. That is up to the people who watch me,” he smiled.
“I learned because, as a footballer, you have a lot of free time and as a young footballer who does not live with my girlfriend, I am here alone so it is something to do with my free time.
“I do not just want to play the PlayStation or watch series’ on TV – I can learn something, at least.
“The other boys all have lives, most of them are from here and have family and kids. I am on my own – I’m just here to play football.”
He added with a smile: “Maybe I can start a band at Hibs if anyone else can play!”
Ahead of today’s mouth-watering semi-final against Celtic, Omeonga revealed that he has watched footage of the 2016 Scottish Cup final and the emotional scenes following Hibs’ 3-2 victory over Rangers, including ‘Sunshine on Leith’ ringing around Hampden.
“I have been playing piano for one year and I think I am doing okay, but learning ‘Sunshine on Leith’ can be my next challenge,” he continued. “The players have asked me to play it on the piano and I will do that.
“I have watched some videos on my own of the fans singing after
“I still don’t know how to read sheet music, so it might take me some time to learn the song but I will do it.”
Addressing the press corps at Hibs’ training base, Omeonga was visibly wide-eyed alongside the trophy. Like his manager, Paul Heckingbottom, he chose not to touch the silverware but could not help but dream of holding it aloft in May.
That was a feat achieved by the likes of David Gray, Lewis Stevenson
“To be fair, that was the closest I have ever come to a professional trophy!” he laughed. “I am buzzing, it is quite emotional. We are far away from lifting it for real but if that was possible it would be amazing.
“I see Hibs’ name on the trophy and it is good to know there are still people here who won the trophy. It goes to show it can be done, it is possible. It is for these types of games that I came to Hibs. I am just looking forward to playing if I get the chance.”
A quarter-final clash between Hibs and Celtic at a packed Easter Road does not require much additional spice, but that is liberally provided by the return of Neil Lennon, just a month after he departed the club.
Indeed, Lennon was the man who green-lit the signing of Omeonga, even drawing parallels between the player and France World Cup winner N’Golo Kante.
“I worked with Neil for two days . . . and 45 minutes,” added Omeonga, with some gallows
“No, It’s just football and it will be cool to see him again.
“I’m used to this. I’m young but I learn how to manage things. I worked under four new managers in Italy and now we have a new coach here. It is not so bad. The guys just want to lift the cup again and we are only focused on that.
“At Easter
