Thursday, March 28, 2024
SportHibsHibs striker admits he may have to leave club if he continues...

Hibs striker admits he may have to leave club if he continues to be overlooked by head coach

Hibernian striker Flo Kamberi insists his style is not compatible with head coach Paul Heckingbottom’s tactics, and has admitted he may have to consider a January move if he cannot force his way back into the side.

The Swiss has been listed on the bench for the Leith side’s last three games.

Hibs’ most recent outing was the 1-1 draw at Aberdeen, a game that saw Kamberi’s fellow forward Christian Doidge squander a series of guilt-edged chances.

Kamberi has struggled to recapture the form that saw the 24-year-old notch nine goals on loan at the end of the 2017/18 campaign. 

And it was his disagreement with Neil Lennon that eventually led to Northern Irishman departing as head coach in January.

Kamberi, who could have to be content with a cameo role at Hamilton today, has five goals from 11 appearances this season but has made it clear he is not happy with how this term has panned out to date.

Kamberi said: “He (Heckingbottom) knows my style of play and if he decides to change our style of play because of our opponent then I respect that and I will not do anything stupid. 

“He is the manager and we have to respect his decisions.

“But, yeah, if you ask me what style of play suits me it’s into my feet or chest, not into my head or playing into the channels, it’s putting me in one-on-one situations with a chance to score a goal.

“These are my strengths.

“The last three games Doidge has played and that has not been our style.

“I respect that, I have no problem with that, I have been training hard as always to show I am ready.

“I have been on the bench for the past three games and I don’t know why, he hasn’t given me a reason.

“But I respect his decision, it’s not a problem. I will be patient and wait for my chance to help the team as soon as I get my game time.”

One of Kamberi’s targets when he made the permanent switch to Easter Road from Grasshoppers last summer was to gain international recognition, with the striker eligible to play for Switzerland, Kosovo and Albania.

With this in mind, the player admits he will assess his options at the turn of the year if he continues to be overlooked by Heckingbottom.

“I have the possibility to play for three nations and any of these nations would be a privilege for me, especially if it was at a tournament like the Euros or the World Cup,” added Kamberi.

“But to achieve that you need to have regular game time at your club, and if I don’t have this then I would have to consider moving on.”

Asked if he felt for Doidge after his team-mate came in for criticism for his performance against the Dons, Kamberi replied: “I am not the type who is happy on the bench that he missed those chances, that’s not me.

“I know how he is feeling – you feel bad when you miss one of those chances, never mind four of them.”

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