Dillon Barnes appreciates the enormity of the challenge in trying oust Ofir Marciano in Hibernian’s Premiership games, but is at least hoping that he continues as the team’s Betfred Cup goalkeeper.
The on loan Queens Park Rangers shot-stopper has a flawless record between the sticks for the Leith outfit so far
Four league cup group games played, four wins.
The latest came on Sunday in the 4-1 victory over Dundee, only for the draw to throw the same teams together for the last-16 tie at the end of the month.
The 24-year-old, who has benefitted from Marciano being away with Israel, has vowed to make the most of every minute he plays, even if he is restricted to cup games.
He said: “It has been a good cup run by the boys so far, we have worked hard in all of the games.
“Since I have come in I have just trained as hard as I can.
“Obviously Ofir is off on international duty so that leaves me here and it’s good to get the opportunity, really.
“He’s a top man, a great guy and a great goalkeeper.
“We push each other every day, we both work as hard as we can to keep one another on our toes.
“All I can do is work hard and hope the manager is fair with me, but ultimately it’s up to me to perform on the pitch and in training.”
Barnes, whose path to the first team at Loftus Road is blocked by the likes of Scotland squad goalkeeper Liam Kelly, headed north of the border on a season-long deal in September with aspirations of playing regular football.
Despite being unable to usurp Marciano so far, the former Colchester does not regret making the move to Edinburgh.
“I’m loving it,” he added: “I haven’t experienced the full Edinburgh yet because of lockdown but it’s a lovely city, lovely people, and I am enjoying it.
“This is a massive club so getting the opportunity to come up here, it’s different scenery as well, a different country.
“It’s a good life experience as well as a football experience.
“My first two games here have been live on TV so it’s a great experience for me.
“It didn’t take me out of my comfort zone as such because you don’t realise you’re on TV, you’re just focusing on the games.”
