A bad tackle in the second half saw Harris substituted, but no-one realised the extent of the injury which needed a pin inserted into his ankle and resulted in a five month absence from the team.
During that period, Pat Fenlon resigned and was replaced by Terry Butcher bit if the youngster was concerned about his immediate future; his worries were eased after a conversation with the new manager.
Speaking at the club’s training centre, Harris said: “The manager told me he had big plans for me and that was great to hear but I just wanted to keep working hard and force my way back into his plans.
“It was nice to feel wanted by the club and it was great to hear Terry Butcher say that. The old manager thought highly of me during his time here. When a new manager comes in, there is a period of uncertainty but Terry was great and it felt good to be reassured by him.
“The manager told me to make sure that I came back when I was ready. Terry understood that it was my first injury and he told me not to rush back and to take my time recovering. It is up to the manager now to tell me that I am ready to start a match.”
“I am desperate to make up for lost time. Competition for places is good and I will have to fight for my place back in the team but I thrive on that and I am raring to as I want to kick-start my season.”
When asked whether it was harder watching the team win or lose, he responded: “I think I feel better when they are doing well. My team-mates are my friends so I want them to win. I am also a Hibs supporter so it is great to see the team win. I was at Easter Road for the New Year derby win over Hearts and the place was bouncing so it is definitely better when Hibs are winning.”
Photo by John Preece
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
