Some young players seem to burst on to the first-team scene almost overnight.
For others, it takes a bit longer – with a few more twists and turns along the way.
Jamie Gullan knows he falls into the latter category, but is grateful for every experience that’s helped shape him into the prospect he is today – one who is gradually being handed more and more responsibility by Jack Ross and his coaching staff.
Yet it could easily have passed him by, had it not been for the determination of his Dad following an early setback.
Let’s get the important stuff out of the way first, Jamie. Why ‘Hammer’?
It’s as simple an explanation as you might expect. I’ve been called Hammer since I was a nine-year-old at Hearts, where I started out. The coach christened me that because I had a harder shot than anyone else and it caught on. Then when I moved to the Under-17s at Hibs a coach of mine from Hearts, Chris Smith, made the same switch. He was used to calling me Hammer and it went from there again.
How did the move to Hibs come about?
My Dad deserves a lot of credit here. He didn’t tell me this until I’d signed, but it turns out he’d emailed Graeme Mathie on my behalf, looking to set up a trial. I think Graeme was on holiday at the time. I’m glad he sent that email!
How do you look back on your progress since?
Year on year it’s probably been about gradual improvement, helped by my four loan spells with Gala Fairydean, Queen’s Park and the two with Raith Rovers. Each time I feel like I returned to Hibs better for it. I’ve been a slow burner but I’m happy with how it’s gone and I’m buzzing to be in and around the first team now.
What did you take from the different loan moves?
Different things. I went through relegation with Queen’s Park and a successful promotion with Raith Rovers, so I’ve lived through both sides of football. I’ve learned a lot from each move – from the Lowland League with Gala Fairydean to the top and bottom of League One with Queen’s Park and Raith Rovers. I’ve just always wanted to be out playing football. To be in amongst a team and to really feel part of it. So, I’m grateful for every team that gave me the opportunity to go out and play. The alternative’s being behind the scenes and not getting noticed. The second Raith Rovers loan did wonders for my confidence. It was brilliant for me. We just missed out on promotion first time around, so it meant a lot to get over the line. I scored far more goals and was in the team every week. That was the loan that really gave me the confidence and belief to come back and fight for a place in the Hibs team.
You made a big impression on the winter training break in Spain. Did you go into that thinking it was make or break for you?
Spain was a big week for me. It was almost like a trial period because I hadn’t trained much under the gaffer, other than the odd occasion. It was a tough week but I thought I did well. When we flew back I had one more game with Raith Rovers and that was me. I went on to make my first start and score my first goal. Then we had to go into lockdown and everything went on hold.
What do you think you bring to the squad?
I see myself, first and foremost, as a hard-working striker or winger. I’m direct, like to face up to opposition players one-on-one and if I get a chance to shoot then I’ll take it. I like to get on the ball and try to make things happen, but work rate always comes first.
Jack’s said recently that he sometimes feels like you can believe in yourself a bit more. Is that fair comment?
I agree, self-belief is massive. I’m trying to break into the team but there are a lot of good players here – strikers and wingers. Believing I can break in and stay there is probably half the battle. I definitely feel like I’m good enough, so I need to show that in training day in, day out and in any game I’m involved in. If I get a chance, I have to take it.
There always a sense of anticipation when you come on, and that feeling’s shared by supporters if our social media feeds are anything to go by.
The next stage for me is to be seen as a reliable starter and not just an impact player off the bench. Once that comes, it’s about keeping my place, getting as many starts as I can and scoring a few goals.
Who has been good for you around the dressing room?
Christian Doidge and Kevin Nisbet have been good for me. They’re very different players so I can take certain things from each of them. Then there are the ones you would expect – David Gray, Lewis Stevenson, Paul Hanlon and Darren McGregor. They give you every bit of advice they can and help you in any way that they can, every single day. We have a great group of experienced players behind us.
We don’t really have many like-for-like players in the final third. Everyone seems to have a slightly different skillset.
I’d agree with that. Everyone offers something different. That can only be a good thing as you’ll need everyone over the course of the season, and you need different attributes for different games. The competition for places pushes everyone. Personally, I just want to play a big part in the success of this team and that means goals, assists and work rate.
As one of our ‘older’ young players, you must be pleased to see the likes of Josh Doig and Stevie Bradley following in your footsteps?
They’ve been brilliant this season. Stevie showed in a short run-out at Hamilton what a good player he is and he is excellent every day in training, so we know how good he is. Josh really took his chance earlier in the season. I was pleased for Sean Mackie when he got a few games under his belt as well because he had a bad time of it with injury. We all push each other on and want the best for each other.
