Fraser Mullen keen for fresh start at Hibs

FRASER MULLEN insists he's relishing the prospect of a "fresh start" at Hibs as he strives to get his fledgling career back on track following his recent release from city rivals Hearts.

The 19-year-old right-back, who spent seven years with the Tynecastle club before being axed this summer, is poised to become Pat Fenlon's close season signing, with just a few loose ends to tie up.

Mullen had a medical on Tuesday and then underwent an X-ray yesterday as he waits for confirmation that he will be taken on by the Easter Road side.

He told the Evening News: "Hopefully everything goes okay with the medical, so we'll see what happens. I've not got a clue when things will get tied up."

Having come through the ranks at Tynecastle, Mullen is well aware that crossing the city divide is seen as a big deal in the eyes of many fans.

However, he insists he had 
no option but to accept the chance offered to him by 
Fenlon.

He said: "I thought about it when I first heard from Hibs, but this is my career and I
need a job at the end of the
day.

"It wasn't my choice to leave Hearts, but Hibs is a big club. When I left Hearts I wanted to stay in the SPL if I could, so when the chance came along I couldn't say no to it.

"I would have liked to have stayed at Hearts, but it wasn't to be. Hopefully if the move to Hibs goes through, I'll have a fresh start."

Even though Mullen is from Glasgow, he is all too aware that moving to Hearts' most bitter rivals could bring additional pressure. However, he takes heart from the way

that former Jambo Alan Maybury settled at Easter Road last term.

"I might not be a boyhood Hearts fan from Edinburgh but I was at Hearts for a long time so I know what the rivalry is all about. To be fair, a lot of Hearts fans have wished me good luck since news of the move came about. Alan Maybury's played for both teams, so I think I should be okay."

Should the move get the go-ahead, the prospect of playing in his first derby in green and white is a strange one for Mullen.

He added: "It will be weird playing against Hearts because I've known a lot of the boys for a really long time and am good pals with a lot of them."

Ironically, Mullen's last game for Hearts was in the goalless derby against Hibs at Easter Road in March. The youngster took dogs' abuse from the Hibs fans in the East Stand as he limped off with a foot injury which ultimately ended his season.

However, he insists he is now fully fit and holds no grudges with the Hibs support for their reaction to his misfortune.

"Everything's okay with the injury," he confirmed. "I'm ready to start training again. You expect abuse from your

rival fans in a derby so I wasn't too bothered about that."

Taken from the Scotsman