Dylan Vente opens up on Hibs injury hell and goalscoring return at St Johnstone

Hibs ace Dylan Vente insists he's determined to end the season on a high after recovering from injury

The Dutch striker but weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury but made a goalscoring return in last week's 3-1 win over St Johnstone. It was the £700k summer signing from Roda JC's seventh goal of the campaign and the 24-year-old admits he's desperate to add more to his tally.

He said: "When you are on the pitch, you don't feel the tension or the nerves. You are far more nervous watching. When you are on the pitch, you just go with flow. But watching us lose to St Johnstone at home and drawing at Motherwell away when I was on the bench. It really hurts, not being able to do anything.

"It's much easier being out there and able to contribute. This was my first real injury ever, a long time out for me. It was frustrating, definitely, to be stuck inside and not able to play. So I'm happy to be back, but would rather have been back in time for those big games."

Vente was thrilled to get back on the scoresheet at McDiarmid Park but was hesitant to be drawn on what the future holds next season.

He added: "It felt great to be out there against St Johnstone. It's been a long time since I'd played. It was good to be back, better to score, and best of all to get a win. When the ball came through to me, I was am always relaxed and calm in that situation.

"In those situations the important thing is to remain calm. It was a nice finish and a really good ball from Josh Campbell. I hope to play more now. I had a little good run before the injury, too. Not great but I played well, I felt more confident - and then the injury happened.

"You can't look forward to next season yet because you don't know what's going to happen, what players we'll have. My focus is on the games left, scoring goals and winning those games."