Joe Newell opens up on Hibs contract decision and urges team not to blow their chance

Despite losing 2-0 to Motherwell at the weekend, the Easter Road side remain on course to achieve their pre-season target but the Englishman warned that they will need to rebound immediately from that defeat.

“It would be a big disappointment to not get third place now and if we were to end it without European football we’d be bitterly disappointed in ourselves,” he said.

“It has been a good season so far, the Motherwell game was a bump in the road so we need to turn it round again next week.

“When you play down in England, in the Championship like I had been, Europe isn’t something you even think about. It’s not going to happen when you are in those leagues so that’s a pull Scottish football has.”

That was a significant factor in his decision to sign a new contract with the Leith club until 2023 and the 27-year-old says it should benefit the club when it comes to strengthening the squad further this summer.

“Players want to play on that stage and as a club it helps you attract people up here. So becoming a team who plays in Europe regularly is good for us personally but also the club.

“It brings finances in and persuades players from elsewhere to come here, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

“Getting into Europe and hopefully doing it regularly would be massive for the club, it has to be a big target here now.”

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