After a lengthy nine-month stint on the sidelines, right-back Chris Cadden has made his return to the Hibs first team.
The 27-year-old suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon on the final day of last season against Hearts at Tynecastle, and as a result, had to go through a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Ever the professional, Cadden worked relentlessly off the pitch and finally returned in the Scottish Cup tie away to Inverness in February.
An occasional cameo off the bench followed that, including a standing ovation from the home crowd in his first game back at Easter Road against Ross County.
Then, after an injury to Lewis Miller, head coach Nick Montgomery handed Cadden his first start since his return in one of Hibs’ biggest games of the season, the quarter-final with Rangers.
Hibs lost the game 2-0 after being reduced to nine men, and Cadden played the duration of the action-packed 90 minutes, looking back to his best with his trademark bombing runs down the right flank.
Cadden said: “For me personally, it was great to be back out there. It’s been a long, long journey, just over nine months.
Despite the occasional substitute appearance, the former Scotland international always had his return to the starting eleven as a target he said: “I didn’t think it would go that long.
But no, it was great. The first start was the milestone. I think that was the milestone I thought I would be truly back.
“I know I came on a couple of times, but I always say my first start is the real one, that I’ll be back. It didn’t end the way I wanted it to. But no, personally it was good to get back out there.
“I’ve just been working really hard, so hopefully the hard work pays off. It was a pretty hectic game to get thrown into as well. Aye, it was madness to be honest, it was madness.”
A concerning moment during the game was fan favourite, Martin Boyle, getting stretchered off the pitch after a nasty clash with Rangers defender John Souttar.
Boyle was rushed to hospital and after undergoing tests was released the next day, suffering from a concussion.
The Australian international was then unable to play until he displayed at least six days of concussion-free symptoms.
Hibs will hope that Cadden and Boyle can reconcile their right-wing relationship soon enough, as they approach three crucial games ahead of the Scottish Premiership split.
Masters Student currently studying Sports Journalism at Edinburgh Napier University.
