Kevin Dabrowski is intent on making himself Hibernian’s first-choice goalkeeper after finally getting his chance five years after joining the club.
The 23-year-old Pole, who moved to Easter Road in January 2017, shone on his debut against Hearts on Tuesday after Matt Macey got injured against Livingston on Saturday.
“I think I have definitely given the manager something to think about because I want to play and I know how good I am,” he said after the goalless draw. “I always consider myself the best goalkeeper and I want to play.
“Everyone who knows me knows the potential I have and what I can do to stop shots. I feel so comfortable with all kinds of saves and I have shown that at Cowdenbeath and at Dumbarton. In so many games I have been the busiest goalkeeper but I kept some clean sheets so it was the best experience for me.
“I was just disappointed that people still couldn’t see what I was capable of and give me that chance. But I just said to myself, ‘You have done everything you can and one day it will be enough’.
“I just trained as hard as I could every day and I knew that one day my chance would come.”
Dabrowski admitted he pondered leaving Hibs when his previous contract was due to expire last year.
“It was frustrating because I have been on the bench for 50, maybe 60 games and not been used,” he said. “That was really difficult for me and I had to fight with myself, mentally, because many people would have wanted to leave but I am just in love with Hibs.
“Last season, I had a lot of offers when my contract expired. When I was young I signed for four years but then after four years my contract expired and I still hadn’t had a chance so I was a little frustrated.
“But the way the fans treat me and the way the club is and the city is amazing, so it all feels like home. That is why I wanted to stay at Hibs and make them proud one day.
“I am just so happy that it has finally happened and I just want to keep going and doing what I can so that I can play in every game, every week.”
Reflecting on his “emotional” Edinburgh derby debut, Dabrowski said: “It just couldn’t get any better. When I found out that I was going to make my debut against Hearts, at home, it was just amazing.
“My feelings have been all mixed up. I have been excited, emotional, and I have been nervous. But I am happy that I know how to handle those emotions and use that on the pitch to play as well as possible.”
