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Tom James: 'Paul Heckingbottom convinced me to join Hibs'

Tom James: 'Paul Heckingbottom convinced me to join Hibs'
© Reuters
The right-back is keen to repay his new manager's faith in him.

Tom James was sold on his move to Hibernian by boss Paul Heckingbottom's powers of persuasion.

The former Wales Under-19 defender had options elsewhere but was convinced to make the switch to Easter Road, on a three-year deal, after hearing Heckingbottom perform a detailed pitch explaining his plans for the future.

The 23-year-old right-back has now vowed to repay the manager's faith in him after completing his move from Yeovil.

James told Hibs' website: "The gaffer's presentation was very detailed which, straight away, showed how keen he was on me.

"As a footballer, that's what you want. You want the manager to be on your side from the start and I feel like he definitely is.

"I want to repay him for that.

"I think he wants me to be a full-back who gets forward, creates chances for others and a few for myself.

"First and foremost, my job is to defend but I do like to get up and down the flank for the full game, though I did play all the way across the back four last season and occasionally in the centre of midfield.

"It was definitely the gaffer who swung it for me. He showed how much he wanted me with the detail he went into and the way he spoke about how he wants to improve me and the club in general. That was the biggest pull."

Heckingbottom was desperate to land the former Cardiff youngster because of his versatility, but insists that does not mean James is not good enough to nail down a permanent position.

"We're really pleased to have Tom on board," Heckingbottom said.

"He's a highly rated young player who can operate in a number of positions, which is obviously advantageous when we want to run with a smaller group.

"I know Tom well and we have seen him play many times.

"I'm delighted he has bought into what we want to achieve here because he had a lot of other offers.

"Tom has good quality, is composed on the ball and has a great attitude to improve.

"We look forward to working with him."

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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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