Craig Quitting Hearts was best move for me

Hibs star Liam Craig has revealed he almost came through the ranks at Hearts.

However, he left Tynecastle because he felt he’d become a better player elsewhere.

Craig has always been credited with starting his career aged 16 with Ipswich Town. But, before his move south, he was actually part of the same Hearts youth team as current Jambos keeper Jamie MacDonald.

Looking back, the Hibees’ summer signing says he enjoyed his time at Tynecastle.

But he insists that when Ipswich came calling the decision to move south was a no-brainer because he believed they’d make him a better player than the Jambos.

He said: “I was at Hearts for three or four years before I went down to Ipswich. I enjoyed it but I look back and when Ipswich came in, I looked at their facilities up against Hearts’, who had nothing at the time, and I knew it would be the move that would make me better as a player.

“There were a few things that went on at the time I wasn’t too happy about. But looking back going to Ipswich was the best thing I did for my career. Training with the people I did and being coached by their coaches was incredible. To make that decision at 16 to move away from my family made me a better person as well.

“I was disappointed not to get into Ipswich’s first team but what I learned down there in three years has made me the player I am today.

“Without those three years? There were another 15 guys in that Hearts team who didn’t make it so it shows you it’s all well and good having ability but you have to be lucky as well.”

Hibs and Hearts clash on Wednesday night in the quarter-finals of the League Cup a tournament Craig has never been beyond the semis of.

That’s something he’s desperate to change and he believes Hibs have got enough about them these days to claim revenge for Hearts’ Edinburgh derby victory in August then go all the way to the Final.

He said: “Earlier on in the season with the European game, then losing the first game at home, we weren’t in a great position.

“But I think we’ve turned a corner now. We’ve got a really good squad and we’ll go into the game full of confidence.

“Hearts proved in the game at Tynecastle how difficult it’s going to be for us.

“But we’re in front of our own fans and, like I said, we’ve turned the corner so hopefully we’ll be better on Wednesday.

“I want to be successful and for Hibs to be successful, it’s finishing in the European spots and getting to Cup Finals.

“That’s what makes this game so big on Wednesday. Not only is it a derby but it’s a chance to get back to the semis.

“I’ve been to a few semis but never a final and I want that to change. I definitely think I’ve signed for a team and play with a squad capable of doing that.”