PAUL Hanlon insists he will never be motivated by personal accolades even though he could feasibly become Hibs‘ record appearance holder.
The centre-back moved into fifth place outright ahead of Willie Ormond when he made his 507th outing for the Leith side in the weekend’s win over Motherwell.
Gordon Smith, who like Ormond was also part of the club’s storied Famous Five, remains top of the list on 636 appearances.
At the age of 32, Hanlon still has enough time on his side to edge closer to that tally but the Edinburgh-born player admits he will always put the team before himself.
Hanlon, who is hoping to help Hibs move four points clear in third place with victory at Dundee United this evening, said: “I don’t pay too much attention to it but it’s nice to get into one of those top five spots, a nice place to be.
“There are a lot of really good players around that area in terms of appearances.
“I knew recently I could get there, it’s nice to get that landmark but at the end of the day it was just another game and it’s all about winning.
“I like to think I’ve got a few more years left in me in terms of playing every week and contributing to the team.
“That will be my main focus and wherever I end up on these kinds of records will be what it is.
“I need to keep fit and stay in the team, I’m enjoying it just now. I’m feeling fit and we’re winning games and that’s the main thing.”
Hanlon, however, said with a wry smile that he does have friend and team-mate Lewis Stevenson, who sits fourth on the list after making his 550th appearance at the weekend in his sights.
He added: “I wouldn’t mind catching him but I’m not sure that’s in my locker to be honest, he has got plenty left in him.
“It’s a nice landmark to reach, great for him as well.
“He is a model professional, so consistent over the years.”
On the back of four straight wins, Hanlon is relishing being back at the right end of the Premiership table following the disappointment of last season’s eight place finish.
He added: “It’s a nice place to be, we know how early it is in the season, nothing is defined yet.
“It’s nice to be on a good run of form, enjoying the wins and just desperate to keep it going.”
Hibs coach Davie Gray, meanwhile, admits he was thrilled when new boss Lee Johnson decided to keep him on during the summer and insists he is loving life under the former Hearts midfielder.
Gray stepped up to become interim manager at Easter Road following the departures of both Jack Ross and Shaun Maloney last season.
Gray said: “There is always uncertainty so it was nice to know that he wanted to keep me around.
“Personally, I was looking forward to the challenge of working with new people but I also knew Macca (Jamie McAllister) from when we played together for a brief spell at Preston.
“From day one, he’s involved me and I’m really enjoying the responsibility.”
