Marc McNulty explains why he cut short his Sunderland loan to join Jack Ross at Hibernian

Marc McNulty says he is desperate to repay the success of Jack Ross after cutting short his Sunderland loan to join Hibernian on loan until the end of the season.
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The 27-year-old opted to make the switch with first-team opportunities limited under Phil Parkinson.

It is McNulty’s second loan spell at Hibs, where he remains an immensely popular figure.

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He joined on a short-term deal last January and scored eight goals in 17 apperances, form which earned him his first international call-up.

Marc McNulty has cut short his loan and headed to HibernianMarc McNulty has cut short his loan and headed to Hibernian
Marc McNulty has cut short his loan and headed to Hibernian

The huge games on the horizon for Scotland were thought to be one of the key reasons McNulty wanted to make the move, in need of regular minutes and goals to try and force his way into Steve Clarke’s thinking.

He also says the faith of Ross, who brought him to Sunderland initially in the summer, madea big difference.

“I'm delighted to be back,” Parkinson said.

“Anyone who knows me knows how much I enjoyed my time at Hibs last season and how much I wanted to come back, so I’m grateful the people at the club pushed so hard to make it happen.

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“It makes a difference knowing I’ll be playing for two guys who have already shown how much they want me and I’m looking forward to getting the chance to repay them.

“I also want to thank the supporters. From the day I left first time around I’ve had so many positive messages on social media. People probably don’t understand how much that can mean to a player.

“I’m desperate to be involved as soon as possible and help the team push on.”

McNulty’s place in the Sunderland squad will be taken by Antoine Semenyo, who Parkinson says brings the ‘pace and power’ his side needs.

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McNulty scored five goals in 21 appearances for the Black Cats, but the last of those efforts came back in October, during the penalty defeat to Oxford United in the Carabao Cup.

His last start for the club came well over a month ago, McNulty substituted just after the hour mark as Sunderland fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Gillingham.