'Football geek' Joe Newell eyeing up Hibs future beyond playing days

When he first signed for Hibs, Joe Newell thought that a two-year deal would be more than enough. Six months in and he was beginning to believe that a year would be a stretch.

But, having just signed a contract extension until 2025, he is eyeing up his longest spell at any club and making plans that could see him hanging around even longer, as a player and then a coach.

“I was at Peterborough from 16 to 22 but two of those years were in the youth team. But it’ll be six years here at the end of this deal. That wasn’t what I expected when I came here,” confesses the influential midfielder, who recognises the importance of this afternoon’s match against Dundee United, with several teams all vying for a place in the top six.

“Honestly, when I first joined they offered me a three year deal but I only took two years because I wasn’t sure how it would work out.

“It was a fresh challenge, I thought I might not like it, and, to be honest, I didn’t like the first six months! So I could easily have gone back.

“But since then I have loved every minute. I can see myself staying here after I finish playing,” added the player whose only goal this term came against Tam Courts’ side.

Signed by Paul Heckingbottom, he struggled for form and to hold down a place in the team and was ready to ditch it and head back to England until Jack Ross arrived and turned things around.

Swapping a wide berth for a central midfield role, his value to the team was re-emphasised during his recent injury absence, but he says, having agreed a new deal a year ago, the latest extension was unexpected.

“I’m not on his level but Boyley was getting new deals every two minutes when he was here! So it was nice. But, when the gaffer pulled me in I was a bit