Michael Weir: I even enjoyed relegation battles so Europe is a great incentive for Hibs players

It is brilliant to watch great football but, for me, it has always been about winning and it doesn’t matter if it is an ugly 1-0 or an easy 3-0. At this time of the season when the pitches are not always the best for playing passing football on the ground, and when the prize is so big, it is all about getting the result.

We have come through a tough spell well and with four victories in the last four games we are in a very good position.

I think Aberdeen will find some form and come back at us but we are in a good place and wins give players confidence so now that the finishing line is in sight, if everyone stays professional, I can see us going unbeaten until the split.

They will be playing teams who are fighting for their lives so it won’t be easy but Hibs have plenty to play for as well and the games are winnable. If they can do that it will give the players a tremendous boost as they go into the final few games against the bigger boys.

As a player, this was always the time of year I liked, provided we still had something to play for. It sounds daft but I even enjoyed being in a relegation fight and preferred that battle to stay in the league to just going through meaningless games in the middle of the table. It is hard to keep yourself motivated in that position but when every game is a big game, and you have the chance of qualifying for Europe then everyone is up for it, every day in training and in every game.

By this stage of the season nearly every player has some aches or niggling injuries but it is amazing what winning does for a player’s mindset and how all the aches and pains go away when you are involved in something special and you are determined to stay in the team.

You know it is just a few more games so you try to push through anything because no-one wants to be stuck on the sidelines when that is going on.

This is the time when you not only make sure of qualifying for Europe, you stake your claim to be part of the manager’s plans when the new season kicks-off.

Credit to Jack Ross, he has made a few personnel changes this season, bringing new players in or changing things up and that has made sure there is competition for places in the team.

Knowing that the team will be competing in Europe next season and maybe even guaranteed games at that level until December, is a brilliant incentive. Everyone will want to convince the manager that they should be part of that.

When I look back on European nights at Easter Road, probably only derby nights compare. They are very special memories and games that the players involved won’t forget.

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