Goalkeeper Henry Bonello has not been very busy as Hibernians’ watertight defence has not given away many chances in the BOV Premier League, conceding only 13 goals in 22 games.

Signed on a season-long loan from Sliema Wanderers with an option to make his move permanent, Bonello has been a towering and reassuring figure in the Hibernians’ goal, making timely interventions whenever needed.

Bonello has certainly played his part in Hibernians’ 22-match unbeaten run in the championship but his best performance this season came in the FA Trophy quarter-final clash with Balzan last Friday.

Leading through Joseph Mbong’s first-half goal, Hibernians were pegged back by Balzan after Brazilian striker Luis Edison was dismissed with 13 minutes remaining.

Bonello made a string of saves to protect his team’s lead but his resistance was breached when Ryan Darmanin, who was unmarked in the centre of the box, produced a perfectly-flighted volley to level for Balzan in the dying seconds.

Unfazed by Balzan’s equaliser, Bonello retained his focus and composure to pull off another crucial save in extra-time before turning the tables on Darmanin by parrying away his penalty as well as that of Edison Zarate.

No wonder Clayton Failla ran to embrace Bonello after his spot-kick gave Hibernians a 4-3 win in the shoot-out and a berth in the semi-finals.

Bonello deserved the plaudits for his decisive contribution to Hibs’ victory but he praised the character shown by the entire team.

“In the first half, we dominated the game,” Bonello told Times of Malta.

“Even in the second half, we created some good chances. If we had taken those opportunities, we would have closed out the game early.

As for my confidence, the thing is that I don’t get very excited. I’m a very calm person and that helps when the pressure is high

“Our task became complicated after we were reduced to 10 men in the last 15 minutes. It’s never easy to play with 10 men, especially in the 30 minutes of extra-time, but the team showed great resilience.

“We kept going, even with a man less, and I must say that some of our players were outstanding, especially Andrew Cohen and Rodolfo Soares.

“Joseph Mbong also did well as he scored his first senior goal for Hibs.”

The efforts put in by the likes of Cohen and Brazilain defender Soares galvanised their depleted team but it was Bonello’s penalty saves that ultimately guided Hibs into the semi-finals.

Exuding confidence, Bonello was clearly relishing the prospect of facing penalties and his confidence paid off.

“I’ve learnt not to dive early as that makes things easier for the player taking the penalty,” Bonello observed.

“I always try to read the player’s intentions before I commit myself.

“On Friday, I guessed the direction of three of the five penalties taken by Balzan, saving two of them.

“As for my confidence, the thing is that I don’t get very excited. I’m a very calm person and that helps when the pressure is high.

“I was optimistic before the penalty shoot-out.

“Some have joked that Hibs could have done without a goalkeeper this season. At least, on Friday, I showed that I can deliver when needed.”

Bonello has long been regarded as one of the country’s most talented goalkeepers but injuries and an uneasy relationship with the Sliema Wanderers hierarchy threatened to derail his career in the last couple of years.

After a turbulent 2013/14 campaign, Bonello decided that the time had come for him to move on. He was courted by Birkirkara but eventually signed for Hibernians, following in the footsteps of his father John who played 29 times for Malta.

His decision has been vindicated so far as Bonello has been a mainstay of the Hibs team that are eight points clear at the top pf the Premier League and have reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.

Yet, Bonello admitted that joining Hibs was not a straightforward choice as it looked at the time.

“To be honest, I never imagined that I would be so happy at Hibs,” Bonello remarked.

“There had been some differences between my father and the club in the past.

“I thought that I’d never wear the Hibs shirt in my career but I must say that I’ve felt at ease from the first meeting I had with the president (Tony Bezzina).

“Whatever has gone on in the past has not affected my relationship with the club, contrary to what happened at my former team.

“The atmosphere within the squad is also very good. I think Hibernians have one of the happiest dressing rooms in the cham-pionship.

“It’s not easy to keep the squad united when you have different characters and big personalities in the dressing room.

“We have many established players in our squad but the committee, coach Branko Nisevic and team manager Jeffrey Farrugia are doing a great job in maintaining this sense of togetherness.”

Thanks to Bonello’s penalty heroics, Hibernians remain on course to win a league and cup double which has been the goalkeeper’s dream since the day he signed for the Paolites.

“Winning the double is a personal wish,” Bonello said.

“I’ve been told that Hibs have only won the double once in their history, in 1982, and my father was part of that team.

“It would be a great achievement for Hibs as not many teams have won the double.

“My target is to be successful with Hibs.

“When I was talking to Jeffrey Farrugia about the possibility of joining Hibs last summer, I told him that I was coming to the club to try and win every honour possible.”

Malta recall

Bonello’s growing maturity this term has not been lost on Malta coach Pietro Ghedin who is expected to call up the 26-year-old for next month’s friendly against Georgia and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Azerbaijan.

The towering goalkeeper, who is on the list of players summoned by Ghedin to undergo fitness tests at Ta’ Qali this week, is keen to get back into the national squad but he’s not getting ahead of himself.

“I try to take one step at a time,” Bonello, who has made one appearance for Malta at senior level, said.

“My priority has been to repay the faith Hibernians have shown in me.

“I’ve always believed that I’d get another opportunity to be part of the national squad as long as I’m performing well for my club.

“I’ve been playing for the national teams in different age-groups since I was young.”

On current evidence, Hibernians are widely expected to take up the option of signing Bonello outright at the end of his one-year loan.

Bonello is prepared to pledge his future to the Paolites if all parties reach an agreement come May.

“Hibernians have an option to sign me on a permanent basis,” Bonello said.

“If they decide to acquire my services and I accept their proposals, I would be happy to continue for they have treated me with a lot of respect so far.”