MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 16:50:50| >> :600:121944:121944:

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."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Newport, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '264feca2-aa2b-4be1-aba9-e36d626f8e60');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Boss Paul Heckingbottom key in Tom James\u2019 decision to join Hibernian'});

ID:363036: cacheID:363036:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4587:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Joe Newell pictured for Rotherham United in May 2019
Read Next:
Newell says he was immediately sold on Hibs move after talking to Heckingbottom
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!