HIBS kid Paul Hanlon today admitted he's become frustrated at a lack of first-team action – but the 18-year-old promised there will be no histrionics or hammering at the door of boss Mixu Paatelainen.
Having started in all five of Hibs' opening matches of the season, including a first taste of European action in facing Swedish outfit IF Elfsborg in both legs of the InterToto Cup, Hanlon has managed a seat on the bench at best for the last nine gam
es.
And that is where he expects to be again on Saturday as the visit of Inverness Caledonian Thistle prompts vivid memories of a surprise debut on the day Dean Shiels hit a hat-trick to help Hibs, under the charge of Paatelainen for the first time, knock the Highland outfit out of the Cup.
Hanlon has already had a chat with Paatelainen regarding the situation but that was a meeting at the manager's instigation, not one sought by an unhappy player.
The young left-back said: "It seems so long ago since I first played against Caley, it's coming up for a year now.
"Just because my first chance came earlier than expected, it doesn't mean I don't want more. I'm still only 18 but I don't see it being a matter of age, I want back in so hopefully I'll get a seat on the bench and perhaps even the chance to play for a while on Saturday.
"I started this season but then the manager told me it was time to take me out and give me a break for a few games. Now it is up to me to try to get back into the team and to be ready to take that chance when it comes along.
"Yes, it becomes frustrating training all week and then getting no further than the bench on a Saturday but Lewis Stevenson has come in and done well in recent weeks in that position while Ian Murray has also played there a couple of times."
Hanlon, however, insisted he's prepared to bide his time for another opportunity, revealing he'll rely on impressing Paatelainen in training and Hibs reserve games, such as the 2-2 draw with Celtic earlier this week, to stake his claim.
He said: "I'm not going to go hammering on the manager's door, I'm not one to start shouting that I should be playing every game.
"The only way I can get back in is by getting my head down, working hard in training and then doing my best in the reserve matches. I don't find it difficult at all to play in those games in front of only a few fans rather than in the SPL.
"I prepare for every game in the same way, whether it's the SPL, the reserves or the under-19 side. I try to do my best and hopefully the chance will come along for me to play in the first team again. Then it will be up to me to do well enough to keep my place and get another run of games."
Hanlon, though, is well aware of the competition for first-team places at Easter Road with Paatelainen having assembled a squad of players versatile enough to occupy a variety of positions.
Pointing to how players such as Andy McNeil, Thierry Gathuessi, Ross Chisholm, Fabian Yantorno, Steve Pinau and Ross Campbell had played alongside him at Almondvale and to the strength of Hibs bench at Love Street last weekend, he said: "It's a strong squad.
"The gaffer wants players who can play in a number of positions and we certainly have that within our squad, which every youngster here is trying to make bigger by forcing their way into the manager's thoughts.
"Over the course of a season you need a big squad to cover injuries and suspensions so I am sure my chance will come again and, when it does, it is up to me to take it."
Hanlon proved his own versatility in recent weeks, playing as the right-sided centre-back as Scotland's under-19 side moved smoothly into the next phase of their European Championship campaign with a series of impressive performances in a mini-tournament in Hungary.
A bonus for the Hibs kid was being asked to skipper the young Scots as they opened the tournament by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Azerbaijan before crushing San Marino 8-0 and then beating the host nation 1-0.
He said: "It was a bit of a surprise to be named captain as I'd never done that before. It was all a bit unofficial, Billy Stark and Tommy McIntyre asked me when we first reported for training before going to Hungary if I'd be interested.
"There wasn't a question to be asked, it was a great honour to captain my country and I was delighted we did so well in qualifying for the next stage."
The tournament in Hungary also proved something of a novelty, with UEFA taking the opportunity to experiment by using two additional officials to help the referees and their assistants in all matches.
The "extra" officials patrolled the bylines at either end of the pitches to advise on a number of matters, primarily balls going out of play and one of the most contentious areas, whether or not a shot had crossed the goal-line.
Hanlon said: "It was a bit strange although, when you were playing, you didn't really notice them but I suppose having two extra pairs of eyes on the pitch can only help.
"Refereeing is a tough job and the more help they can get the better it should be for the game if it can help matches run more smoothly.
"In our games they didn't really have any controversial decisions to make although I am sure they'd have stepped into help the referees if they felt they had seen something which had been missed by the other three.
"I suppose the acid test would have been had they been forced to make a big, big call.
"I'm not sure if it's something which will come into the game in future, for a start they'd have to find enough officials for every match, six rather than the four we have in SPL fixtures."
