Beating Hearts at Tynecastle is key to seventh place for Motherwell, says keeper
Aston Oxborough is keen to play his part in 'winning' the bottom six
Aston Oxborough reckons Motherwell can take a huge step towards securing seventh place by beating Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, and is eager to play his part.
The English keeper made his comeback in the 2-1 win at Dundee on Saturday, having broken a finger at Kilmarnock back in January, and is delighted to be back out there.
But Ox is keen to prove himself to new boss Michael Wimmer, and reckons key to doing that is taking a win from the capital, with two points currently separating the sides.
He said: 'I think the manager alluded to winning the bottom half, which is the aim.
'There's a big game on Saturday that won't determine it but will have a big sway, so we're just looking to get as many points as we can and implement the style for next season.
'All games are great to play in, especially when you haven't played for a few months, and I know I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure the boys will be, as well.
'It's brilliant to be back. You miss it, watching from the stands, and it can be tough to watch sometimes, so it's nice to be back out there.'
Oxborough is keen to play his part in the remaining three games, with a visit by Kilmarnock next Wednesday and the season finale at Ross County.
He said: 'It's nice for him to put his trust in me for that game [at Dundee]. I had trained for a few months previous to that, with him, so he kind of knew what I was about from that, but it was nice to get my first game under him.
'It was important to talk to the manager. We had a few conversations, and it's nice to be out there with him again.
'The long-term deal gives a little bit of peace of mind, which is good, but you still have to prove yourself, so you don't get too comfortable.'
Oxborough was in the frame for Motherwell's player of the year despite missing more than three months of the season, such were his performances before suffering a broken finger at Kilmarnock in January.
Disaster struck on January 8 when Marvin Kaleta tried to clear a loose ball and caught his hand.
Oxborough's injury occurred at the exact same time that Krisztian Hegyi was recalled by West Ham due to lack of game-time.
Motherwell signed Archie Mair on loan from Norwich and he played in a 3-1 defeat at Hibs and a 1-0 Scottish Cup exit at St Johnstone, before he broke his finger as well.
Ellery Balcombe was brought in on loan from Brentford, and he played up to and including the 3-2 win over St Johnstone on August 26.
It was a crazy few weeks,' said Oxborough. 'The physio was tearing his hair out.
'I know Archie well from my time at Norwich, so it was a shame to see him picking up an injury so quickly.
'I got a kick to my thumb. Marvin went to clear the ball, he's got my thumb as well, so I got a fracture in it.
'I managed to play on, but after that the swelling was too much.
'The rehab time was fairly normal, I think it's two to three months, and then I was training for a period after that, so I was available.
'But Ellery was playing at the time, he had done well, so that was more a decision from that front.'
Oxborough is eager to see what pre-season brings and life under Wimmer next season.
He said: 'I think pre-season will be important this year, adapting to a new style of play with the manager, so I'm looking forward to it, it should be good.
'From what I've seen it has been exciting. I think the high energy style of play he's trying to implement is great. It hasn't gone perfectly smooth, but I think there have been glimpses of it. Hopefully we can continue with that and really kick on with it.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Tavares' Hibs exit 'makes sense' for player & club
Jair Tavares leaving Hibernian "makes sense" for both the player and the Leith club, says head coach David 24-year-old winger, who joined from Benfica three years ago, has departed by mutual Portuguese forward failed to nail down a first-team place at Easter Road, making 41 appearances since 2022 and scoring just spent last season on loan at fellow Scottish Premiership side Motherwell, where he also struggled to make an his exit, Hibs boss Gray said: "Jair hasn't had as much game time as he'd have liked over the past few seasons, so it makes sense for both parties to come to this agreement."At 24, he still has the opportunity to develop, and we wish him nothing but the best with the next steps in his career."
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Hibs let 24y/o leave for free as major Sunderland developments affect Nectar Triantis chase
Portuguese wide player departs Easter Road a year early Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Jair Tavares has left Hibs after the player and club came to an agreement to terminate his contract 12 months early. Tavares joined Hibs on a four-year deal in the summer of 2022 from Benfica, but he has failed to make a significant impact during his three seasons at Easter Road. The Portuguese winger spent the last campaign on loan at Motherwell and did not feature in Hibs head coach David Gray's plans going forward. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A statement on the Hibs website read: 'We can confirm that midfielder Jair Tavares has left Hibernian FC by mutual consent. The 24-year-old has agreed a deal with the club and departs with the very best wishes of everyone at Hibernian FC. Jair Tavares' three-year spell at Hibs has come to an end. | SNS Group 'The Portuguese winger joined Hibs in the summer of 2022 and went on to make 41 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals. The majority of Tavares' appearances came during the 2023/24 campaign, with him spending last season on loan at fellow William Hill Premiership side Motherwell.' Gray added: 'Jair hasn't had as much game-time as he'd have liked over the last few seasons, so it makes sense for both parties to come to this agreement. At 24, he still has the opportunity to develop, and we wish him nothing but the best with the next steps in his career.' Hibs ramp up their transfer activity Tavares' exit will free up both space and wages in Gray's squad as he looks to shape his group for the 2025/26 season. His departure comes just days after midfielder Nathan Moriah-Welsh joined Mansfield Town on a permanent transfer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs have been active already in the transfer window, adding goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, defensive midfielder Josh Mulligan and playmaker Jamie McGrath to their ranks. Key defender Rocky Bushiri also agreed a new contract last week, committing to the Easter Road cause for a further three years. Hibs want to bring back Nectarios Triantis to the club for next season. | SNS Group Hibs are currently in the Netherlands on a week-long training camp, where they will face MSV Duisburg and Ajax in friendlies. Their first competitive match is on Thursday, July 24 when they take on Danish side FC Midtyjlland in the Europa League second qualifying round. Whether Gray will have any further reinforcements for that match remains to be seen. Hibs remain very keen to land midfielder Nectarios Triantis from Sunderland after the Australian put in some impressive performances on loan last season. Talks between the two clubs, the player and his representatives have been ongoing for several weeks. Sunderland won promotion to the English Premier League at the end of last season via the play-offs and major developments over the weekend at the Stadium of Light could help Hibs' push for Triantis. The Black Cats are expected to confirm the arrival of Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra later today for a deal in excess of £30 million, pushing Triantis further down the pecking order on Wearside. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
what winger's departure means for summer activity
Fringe players offloaded, Bushiri tied down - now attention turns to Nectar Triantis, striker hunt Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs have continued their summer clear-out to make way for crucial new signings, with forgotten winger Jair Tavares the latest to depart the club – a full year before his contract expires. The 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan to Motherwell, has come to a settlement with the club that allows him to leave Easter Road by mutual consent, effectively becoming a free agent. The signing of Tavares was hailed as 'a real coup' by then-boss Lee Johnson when the former Benfica B star moved to Hibs on a four-year deal in the summer of 2022. By the time Nick Montgomery arrived to replace Johnson as manager in September of 2023, however, the undoubtedly skilful wide man had been completely frozen out of the first team squad. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Revived and revitalised under Monty, Tavares fell out of the picture when David Gray took over last summer. New sporting director Malky Mackay immediately began looking for ways to offload the attacker, striking a season-long loan deal with Motherwell. Tavares made limited impact at Motherwell But Tavares made just two starts in an injury-affected season for the Fir Park club. Unlikely to feature as wingback in the 3-5-2 system that helped Hibs turn their season around, he found himself without the prospect of much game time in the final year of his contract. 'Jair hasn't had as much game time as he'd have liked over the last few seasons, so it makes sense for both parties to come to this agreement,' said Gray, the gaffer adding: 'At 24, he still has the opportunity to develop, and we wish him nothing but the best with the next steps in his career.' Wider summer refresh of squad planned by David Gray The departure of Tavares is part of a wider summer mission to reshape the first team squad under Gray, who still plans to make a small number of key signings – nothing like the dozen who came in during his first close season as gaffer – between now and the transfer window shutting on September 1. In recent weeks, Hibs have pocketed £1 million from Heerenveen for unwanted Dutch striker Dylan Vente following his successful season-long loan with Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle, while Nathan Moriah-Welsh was sold to Mansfield town for an undisclosed fee. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a summer that has already seen Hibs land former Dundee regular Josh Mulligan and ex-Aberdeen attacking midfielder Jamie McGrath, as well as recruiting goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, the Edinburgh side – who finished third in the Scottish Premiership last season – have already secured one major 'signing' by securing Rocky Bushiri on a new three-year contract. The Democratic Republic of Congo centre-half had allowed his previous deal to expire, and was exploring other options, before deciding to stay at the club he joined in January of 2022. A lot of effort is still being expended on securing Sunderland prospect Nectar Triantis, who excelled in his second loan stint with Hibs last season. With the Black Cats bound for the Premier League after their play-off heroics, they're listening to offers on another loan deal for a player with two years left on his contract – but would let Triantis move on a permanent basis for a fee in the region of £1 million. Gray remains in the market, meanwhile, for at least one striker. The retirement of Dwight Gayle, sale of Vente and departure of Mykola Kuharevich leaves Hibs short of bodies at the top end of the park – for now.
