Carlisle United star Gibson ready to embrace 'tough' promotion run-in

The Blues take on a number of their direct promotion rivals over their final 12 games of the season.

But the versatile midfielder says United must see it as an opportunity to show why they are riding high in League Two.

“We’ve earned the right to be in this position,” Gibson said.

“I know people are going to look at the fixtures and think it’s tough, but you’ve got to beat the best to be the best.

“If you want to get promoted, and do something this season, you’ve got to beat those teams.

“I'm looking forward to the next 12 games and I know the lads are as well. We've got to go into those games with a positive mindset and not become too worried about the result at the end of it.

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“Just do what we’ve been doing as we have all season and it will take care of itself I'm sure.”

Gibson and United go to 11th-placed Swindon Town tomorrow as they look to strengthen their hold on second place.

Gibson scored his third goal of the season against Grimsby last weekend (Image: Barbara Abbott)

It is a far cry from this time last season when the Blues were battling to stay in League Two.

Gibson, who returned to the side with a goal in the 2-0 win over Grimsby Town last weekend, says the challenge of earning promotion is a highly welcome transformation.

“I feel like the atmosphere and all-round mood in the dressing room is a lot better,” he said.

“From where we were, to now, is quite ridiculous really when you think about it.

“But I said last year I believed in the in the group and the quality in the group, we just needed a bit of guidance and someone to come in and really give us a platform to showcase what we’re about.

“That’s what Simmo has done and t's obviously showing at the moment. 

“You'd rather be this end of the table than down the bottom. Most of the pressure on last season was difficult, but this one we’ve just got to relish.

“It's an opportunity, and they don’t come around often. A promotion on everyone’s CV...I’d love that, to be honest.

“We've just got to keep our heads down, keep doing what we’re doing and not let it affect us. There's plenty of teams around us and it’s a tight table but if we just keep doing what we’re doing and try and pick up as many points as possible I'm sure we’ll be up there.”

The News & Star is throwing its weight behind United's promotion push with our Back The Blues call - read more HERE

Gibson, meanwhile, admits he was delighted to be back in the side and making an impact last weekend.

He was drafted back in at right wing-back after illness to Joel Senior.

Gibson says he embraced the wing-back role asked of him by Paul Simpson (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Gibson says he embraced the challenge and was also pleased to end a four-month wait for his third goal of the season.

“You kind of miss that feeling of hitting the back of the net,” said the 25-year-old. “It was good for my confidence. I think I needed that to give me a little boost.”

A further boost came for Gibson with the fact his mum was at Brunton Park to see him score.

“I’ve been away from home since I was 17, to Rangers, Ireland, Bradford and now here,” he said.

“She comes to as many games as possible. It's nice for her to be able to come and watch me, and for me to produce goals makes her happy.”

Gibson said he had no hesitation in accepting boss Paul Simpson’s challenge of playing in a slightly unfamiliar role last weekend.

“On the Friday he mentioned it and I said, ‘I’m happy’ – I just want to play football.

“I was disappointed for Joel. He’s worked so hard to get back fir after a devastating [cruciate] injury, comes back, scores and then he’s ill for the next game.

“I kind of wanted him to play and he deserved to. But when the gaffer mentioned the possibility I might play, I had to be ready.”

It saw Gibson recalled after two games out of the starting line-up, and he added: “If you’re not disappointed when you’re not playing, you shouldn’t be playing football. So obviously I've been disappointed being out of the team, but I feel like I trained well last week and I made sure I was ready if my chance came.

Gibson says manager Simpson has helped him in various ways (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“It was an unfamiliar role for me, but I've played that before and I've played many positions…I’ve counted about six I've played in this season.

“So I feel like I can bring something to the team no matter where I play.”

Gibson has also paid tribute to the way Simpson is constantly trying to get the best out of him at Brunton Park.

“He asks not even just about football but my personal life in general, trying to get the best out of me, trying his best to improve me as a person and player,” he said.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for him. He doesn’t have to do that but he cares and is trying to take my game to the next level.

“I’ve got to do my part and work as hard as I can to produce.”

United are targeting a fourth straight win this weekend when they take on Jody Morris’s Swindon.

Gibson said: “I think that’s the biggest thing – while you’re on the run, keep trying to go one more, one more, keep the run going, because I know a lot of teams around us would be happy if they were on this run as well.

“I know a few teams have fallen off a little bit. While we’re on the run we’ve just got to keep it going, make it four, five, and keep going to the end of the season.”