Adam Le Fondre insists he’s confident he can catch fire at Hibs five years on from almost reigniting his relationship with “volatile” Neil Lennon at Easter Road, but that a text from a Hearts rival earned a rapid-fire 'f*** off' response.
The veteran goalscorer finally put pen to paper on a deal this month after being convinced to make the move by another former management mentor and current Hibs director of football Brian McDermott. But it was Lenny - who Le Fondre enjoyed banging in the goals for at Bolton during a loan spell in 2015 - that almost got the far-travelled Englishman to pitch up in Leith back in 2018.
Instead he headed to the other side of the world to sign for Sydney FC after talks broke down in the latter stages. But Le Fondre never forgot about that Easter Road opportunity and after ending his five-year association with the A-League club he can’t wait to finally get his first taste of Scottish football.
He said: “I had a great time with Lenny even though I only spent three months with him at Bolton. I loved him. He was volatile! But he was my sort of person, he really got me as a player. He brought some of the best football out of me in a short period of time so I was really eager to work with him.
“So when he came calling we spoke a lot but at that time the financial side couldn’t quite work out. It was close, it was easy for me to talk to Lenny. I liked what he had to say, the way he wanted his teams to play. I knew I would be successful in his teams so that was never an issue for me.
“I have been close to moving to Scotland a few times. And I feel like it was quite a natural progression for me to come here. Brian McDermott told me the plans for the club and the plans for me as a player.
“There might be some naysayers about my age etc. But one thing for certain throughout my career is I have always scored goals. I’m not scared about what is going to happen here. I know there will be doubters and I know I need to prove people wrong. I’ve done that my whole career.
“And when the opportunity to come to Hibs arose I was really enthused about it. It’s something different. I didn’t really want to go back to England because I was a little disillusioned with the football there. I wanted to try something different.”
Le Fondre has bagged goals from Stockport to Sydney and Manchester to Mumbai in a 19-year professional areer. He’s won titles in England with Reading under McDermott, India with Mumbia City and Australia with Sydney as well as netting three goals in the Asian Champions League.
But it’s in Leith athat the veteran marksman reckons he can scratch one long irritating itch. That’s a first ever taste of European football. In a sensational career the nabbed 273 goals in 694 appearances. And he’s not done yet. Not by a long shot.
He said: “The drive and hunger in me to win games and score goals in Europe is something that will never go away. As you get older you have to set goals and challenges - that’s what keeps me young. I always want to try and get better and do new things because ultimately I might never get this opportunity again.
“The special moments are few and far between. I’ve been lucky that I’ve won titles in England and India and Australia. I’ve been very successful. I want to keep being successful. It’s great that I’ve played in the Asian Champions League. Now I have the opportunity to come home to the UK and play in the Scottish Premiership and Europe which I’m really excited about.”
It’s not just in Europe that Le Fondre wants to make his mark though. The hitman - who scored 12 Premier League goals for Reading in his only season in the English top flight despite them finishing second bottom - can’t wait for a taste of Celtic Park and Ibrox. And, of course, the Edinburgh derby where he will go head-to-head with former Sydney team mate Cammy Devlin.
Le Fondre said: “The big draw for Scotland is Celtic and Rangers. Those games will be really exciting but the game I’m most looking forward to is the Edinburgh derby because I watched that last game and the atmosphere was unbelievable.
“The Sydney derby was a great derby but this one is a level up on that and the rivalry is unbelievable so I’m excited to make an impact on that. Funnily enough, Cammy Devlin messaged me straight away and said, ‘Oh, I hear you’re going to Hibs, we’ll have to catch up' but I just replied, 'f**k off!'
“I know what he’s like, he’s a little wind-up merchant so I’m looking forward to seeing him on the pitch as well. It’s a shame we have to wait until October to play Hearts but I’m just enjoying each game as it comes and I can’t wait for the start of the season.”
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