I need to step up: Josh Campbell braced for ‘massive season’ with Hibernian

Josh Campbell is braced for “a massive season” on a personal level as he bids to step up and mark himself out as a key man for Hibernian.

Following the departure of club stalwarts Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson over the summer, the 24-year-old, who entered the club’s academy system aged eight, finds himself cast as the longest-serving player at Easter Road.

However, attacking midfielder Campbell knows he needs to start leading from the front by delivering on the promise he has shown in recent seasons on a more consistent basis.

“It’s a massive season for me,” he said. “I need to step up now. I’m not a kid any more, albeit I still feel like I’m a kid around the place!

“I want to add numbers to my game, I want to be more vocal around the place, I want to help people out and help younger boys like Rudi (Molotnikov).

“The manager’s put that pressure on me a wee bit (to be a leader). I’ve been here long, I know the place.

“Me and Boyley (Martin Boyle) are the longest ones here now and the pair of us have been asked to step up and help the new guys that have come in.”

Campbell has chipped in with 14 goals across the past two seasons and is determined to establish himself as the fulcrum of Hibs’ attack going forward.

“I’ve been given targets from people in terms of goals and assists and I did quite well in the Premier Sports Cup games with a couple of assists,” he said.

“I got a few goals last year and the year before that but I want to add assists to my game.

“I want to be part of everything, I want to be part of that goal-scoring zone. Whenever the ball goes in the net I want to be seen in the picture.”

Hibs kick off their Premiership campaign away to St Mirren on Sunday. Campbell knows they must make a much stronger start this term under new boss David Gray than they managed last year when losing their opening three matches, a run that cost Lee Johnson his job in late August and set the tone for a campaign in which the Edinburgh club finished eighth.

“It’s obvious how bad the start was for us last year,” said Campbell, who missed a large chunk of last term through injury.

“We all know last year wasn’t good enough but it’s put behind us now and it’s all about this weekend and trying to get the win.”