AS A former Celtic player, David van Zanten of Hibs knew he might get some stick from friends, former colleagues and Parkhead fans over the last few days since the Easter Road side battled to a draw against last season's champions. Though emphasising that the banter was good humoured, the Irishman has been taken aback by the reaction.
"I've had plenty of grief from fans of both sides of the Old Firm," said Van Zanten. "It's been non-stop, frankly, and mostly from Celtic fans. But that's good because it shows we have had an impact on the title with both teams.
"I have had people
that I don't even know stopping me in the street and telling me that they are not talking to me any more, even though I've never spoken to them before.
"People were saying we would lie down but we have proved that there was no way we would ever do that, and I can't imagine any footballer doing something like that."
It has all led to a fine close to the season by Hibs: "We've beaten Hearts, and drawn with Rangers and Celtic so apart from Dundee United we have had a great top six so far, and we've been intent on finishing as high as we can."
Though it would take victory by three goals at Pittodrie in their final match of the season today, Hibs could yet leapfrog Aberdeen and finish in fifth, and Van Zanten confirmed the squad would be going all out to try to achieve that minor miracle, despite the distractions of Fabien Yantorno making his exit from the club and plenty of media talk about other departures.
The speculation surrounding club captain Rob Jones' future has grown by the day, and Van Zanten and his colleagues are only hoping that it will fizzle out.
"He's a massive player for us, he's been an inspirational captain on and off the park and no one wants him to leave, but it's no surprise that he's attracted interest because of his displays this year.
"He has remained focused on playing for Hibs and you saw that with his performances against Rangers and Celtic. But when bigger clubs come calling it will be difficult to keep him, though I hope we can."
Van Zanten was beset by injuries after joining Hibs a year ago after five seasons at St Mirren, and confesses that he has been "disappointed" by his first season at Easter Road.
"I have not been happy with the way I've played overall," said the defender, "but the last few weeks have been better and I know there's more to come from me, so hopefully I can start well next season."
Van Zanten admits that he would need to improve "an awful lot" to be considered for the Republic of Ireland's squad which has a good chance of making the qualification play-offs for next year's World Cup.
"The players they have in my position at the moment are all playing in the Premiership, but you never know in football – I can dream."
The full article contains 527 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
