FOR Ross Campbell the season is ending before it ever properly began.
An appearance against Rangers last Sunday was the young striker's first start of the 2007/08 campaign with his two top-team outings as a substitute prior to that limited to a grand total of just 70 minutes.
It's been a frustrating time for the pro
mising forward, who had hoped to begin establishing himself at Easter Road this term in this, his third season in and around the first team.
However, with just two games to go before the curtain falls on another season Campbell is well aware that there is little time to build on what was a productive personal display at the weekend as Hibs drew 0-0 with title-chasing Rangers.
But while his game time may have been limited this year the 20-year-old knows the opportunity to play a significant part in Hibs' bid to qualify for the UEFA Cup is there to be grasped.
And, if he can stay in contention for crunch matches away to Celtic this weekend and then at home to Motherwell, he is determined to ensure he makes an impact before setting aside his boots for the summer.
"It's kind of annoying that things are coming to an end just now," admitted Campbell.
"I was delighted to get a run-out at the weekend and the gaffer seemed pretty pleased with me so hopefully I can be involved over the last couple of weeks. Against Rangers I didn't have too much to do offensively as I was asked to keep tabs on Kirk Broadfoot so I had to track him but I was just happy to be on the pitch so would have done any job.
"Although it is the end of the season we obviously have plenty still to play for with the UEFA Cup so it's great that it's still competitive. I'm hoping to be involved in the next couple of games as this is when everything is going to be decided so I suppose if you had to pick a couple of matches to play in these would be them!
"I was happy that the gaffer showed confidence in me and put me in on Sunday and with a bit of luck I've done enough."
Hibs end the season with two tough fixtures, away to Celtic this weekend before Motherwell visit Easter Road on the final day of the season. The Leith team's destiny is outwith their own hands with their Fir Park rivals having a game in hand. However, Motherwell's bid to take a point from Ibrox last night failed in a 1-0 defeat and their game in hand is against Rangers a week on Saturday.
Campbell knows that his side have to concentrate on ensuring there are no slip-ups at their end and acknowledged that he and his team-mates must take something against Gordon Strachan's men on Sunday.
"If we could be in the position for the last game where we are just three points behind Motherwell, I think we'd be quite confident of beating them in the final game," he said.
"Nobody wants to play in meaningless games at the end of the season so it's great that we have something to go for. We need to try and take something from this weekend though. It's going to be hard as they obviously have lots to play for as well but we'll go there and do our best."
Campbell's chances of retaining his place for the Hibees' visit to the east end of Glasgow won't be helped by the fact that Colin Nish is now free from suspension and he'll come into contention for a return to action.
As well as Nish, boss Mixu Paatelainen has had Steven Fletcher, Clayton Donaldson, Abdessalam Benjelloun and Merouane Zemmama to pick from for most of the season which is why Campbell has found it so difficult to break into the first team.
Yet, while he freely admits to being disappointed at seeing his top-team opportunities restricted, he revealed that he is happy to bide his time and trust the judgment of his manager.
"It's been really competitive ever since I've been at the club and I've always just tried to keep my head down and work hard in training," said Campbell.
"All the managers in the past have given me a shot so hopefully Mixu keeps giving me a chance here.
"The bonus of having so many good strikers is that you have them to learn from and no matter who you are you can always improve. I try to take their attributes and improve my own game.
"There's been a few enquiries about going on loan put to me in the past but the gaffer didn't want me to go and it's his decision ultimately.
"The way I look at it is that, if he thinks I need experience then I'd be more than happy to go out and get it, but, if he wants me around, then I'm happy to be at Hibs too and training with the first team.
"I've scored a few goals in the reserves which I think is why I was pushed forward into the first team against Rangers. There's no point sulking about things if you aren't playing because that doesn't do anybody any good.
"I'm just going to keep working hard and showing the gaffer what I can do and hopefully that will be enough to get me a run in the team."
The full article contains 930 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
