Nicky Cadden makes Hibs game-time claim after Aberdeen goal

The winger made his mark as Hibs headed into the international break on the back of an emphatic win, with the result providing further encouragement about the direction of the team under Marink Reedijk.

Cadden has spoken with the Dutchman about where he is best deployed and both agree his strengths are better suited to a position further forward.

“I’ve had a few chats with the gaffer and I feel like we’re on the same page,” he told the Evening News.

“We both think I’m better further forward and I completely agree with that. That’s where I want to play.

“Jack couldn’t continue at left-back against Aberdeen, so I came on and did a job there.”

Cadden, though, has made no secret of his desire for more opportunities from the start.

He admitted being frustrated at missing out against Hearts having been pleased with his display against St Mirren, although he understood why changes were difficult to make following Hibs’ performance at Hampden.

“I was disappointed not to start against Hearts because I felt I’d done well against St Mirren,” he added.

“Then, after how well the boys did at Hampden, the manager wasn’t going to change the team for Aberdeen.

“I just need to keep showing what I can do in training and in games. I feel like I should be playing more.”

There was plenty for Hibs to take from the Aberdeen victory, not least the contribution made by those introduced from the bench.

Cadden feels that strength in depth, with injured players still to return, can prove important as the season develops.

“We’ve got good players and you could see that again with the players coming off the bench,” he said.

“We’ve also got boys out injured who can come back and make a difference. It’s a good squad and we’re all sticking together.”

While Cadden is encouraged by the progress being made, he is reluctant to attach too much significance to Hibs’ league position at this stage of the campaign.

“It’s still early days, but you can see the improvement,” he said. “That’s the most important thing for us at this stage, more so than where we are in the league.”

The winger is also enjoying the licence afforded to Hibs’ attacking players.

“The manager gives us freedom in the final third,” Cadden explained. “We’ve got a few rotations we like to use and other things we’ve been working on, and you can see that starting to work.”

His Aberdeen goal also ended a personal wait after going through last season without finding the net, although Cadden insists his priority remains contributing to positive results.

“I know I didn’t score last season and that was frustrating, but my numbers were still good,” he said. “I finished with the most assists, so I was contributing to the team that way.

“I always want to score more goals, but if the team is doing well and I’m not scoring, I’m not bothered. The most important thing is that the team is doing well.”