Graeme Smith finally arrived at Hibernian last week - six months late, but declaring it was better late than never! The former Motherwell goalkeeper had an option to come to Easter Road last summer when his contract at Fir Park had ended, however on sizing up his opportunities he opted for a completely new challenge - as often happens in football, circumstances changed fairly rapidly.

Indeed so rapidly that Graeme found himself arriving at the Hibernian Training Centre on New Years Eve - and in the first team a few days later, injuries to Ma-Kalambay and Stack resulting in the new boy being thrown straight in against Hearts on Sunday. Not that it bothered Smith in the slightest: "I loved it! I am just delighted to be here and I love these kind of games. I love the big games and you can ask any player and they will say the same. I thought I did ok and I am delighted to be here. I have only worked with the manager for a couple of days but I have heard a lot of great things about him so everything has turned on its head for me and it is all positive.

"I had a wee inkling the day before the game that I might be playing, so I had a night to prepare myself although I was never sure where I stood on clearance until the day of the game. I had last played against Charlton around 4 weeks ago so I had a break going into and through Christmas with my family - and was ready to go."   The summer move from Scotland to Brighton was a decision taken by Graeme on the weight of advice, the challenge of playing in England proving more enticing at that point than remaining in the SPL. He had cause to wonder almost immediately however as he noted the quality of signings being made at Easter Road: "Everyone was telling me to give it a try in England. 

"I wouldn't rule out going back down later in my career but I have landed on my feet with the option to join Hibernian still being available six months later. It was an option when I left Motherwell but I wanted to try football in a different league. I don't regret it but I have learned from it. The infrastructure of Hibernian Football Club is as good as the big two in this country. I remember looking at the signings Hibernian were making when I went down to Brighton, and I remember thinking 'god, they are attracting big names' - and credit for that has to go to the board and the manager for pulling a couple of these signings out of the hat.

"I don't think the boys have reached their potential yet because I think there is another level to them, but you always feel that we are going to score even if we are playing bad. I have worked with the boys for two or three days and you get the feeling that they could pull a rabbit out of the hat."  Smith came through his Easter Road baptism in good shape, disappointed perhaps that Hibernian did not win the match but pleased that he played his part in the draw. "I think there was a feeling of frustration from the lads but I have only been here three days so it is hard for me to comment in general. I do think there is frustration that we did not win because there is no question about the ability in the squad just now."

His first game for the club now tucked away, Smith will be looking for more - but well aware that in the existing goalkeepers at the club he has some tough competition: "At any club you are going to have competition for places. I have trained with Stacky and Maka and they are good lads who I think will be a bit of fun. Everything is positive so I just have to prove everyday to the manager that I am a decent goalkeeper and hopefully I will get a run of games."