Hibs are the ninth club of a senior career that, for Junior Hoilett, began all the way back in 2007.

The youngster who turned down Manchester United aged 12 is now 34, and he's travelled along an eclectic footballing path from Ontario to Blackburn, with loan moves to Germany, a decade split between Cardiff, Queen's Park Rangers and Reading, followed by a stopover back home with Vancouver Whitecaps. He's covered continents in the red and white of Canada, totting up just shy of 600 appearances for clubs and country. At this stage, you'd probably forgive him if he took the notion to start winding things down a little.

After all, can the feeling that accompanied his first steps into the professional game keep burning throughout all those years? Does he really still roll out of bed in the morning with the same vigour as the teenager who, in his own words, 'made it the hard way'? The short answer is, well... yes.

“That feeling never goes away," said Hoilett, speaking exclusively to the Hibs Observer. "I’ve just got the love for football. Any time I can be part of helping a team achieve what they want to achieve, it still drives me. You never stop learning as a footballer and as a human being."

Hoilett's unexpected move to a struggling Aberdeen back in February felt very much like Neil Warnock getting the band back together, albeit the veteran manager insisted his veteran go-to man was not in any way a gamble, despite the winger having been out of action since leaving MLS the previous November. Warnock didn't last long at Pittodrie, but come the end of the season, there was a clamour among Aberdeen fans for Hoilett to stay. His influence had grown steadily, culminating in a superb individual performance at Hampden as the Dons came within a whisker of Scottish Cup semi-final euphoria against Celtic.

Reportedly offered a new deal, Hoilett elected to move on, and his availability quickly caught Hibs' attention. After talks with David Gray - aided by Craig Samson, still Aberdeen's goalkeeping coach when Hoilett arrived in Scotland - led to a one-year deal. Injury has so far kept him on the sidelines, but he now feels 'ready to go' after the international break, and a summer of frustration has only heightened Hoilett's determination to make his mark at Easter Road. It's a desire that burns as brightly as ever.

“It’s still a very exciting feeling going into training every single day," he said. "I can’t wait to make my debut in front of the Hibs fans. I just have a passion for football and it keeps driving me on. I found that love not just being part of a team now, but also in seeing young players come through and reach their full potential."

But how does that drive stay so strong this long into his career? Inspirations and motivations change over time, and for Hoilett, it's his son Ky who keeps the flame burning. A recent recruit into Reading's academy, the thought of his first-born one day following in his footsteps provides Hoilett with limitless fuel, and he's determined to be the ultimate role model.

“The passion comes from my little boy," Hoilett explained. "He keeps me going every day, and he loves it every time he sees me on the pitch. He loves the game of football already now, so one of my driving forces is to make him proud, to inspire him to play the sport that he loves as well. He’s a big part of me carrying on in football and trying to achieve goals, not only for myself but for him too.

“He loves the game. He’s doing well now, he just got signed for Reading and he enjoys it every day. He was here to see me training at Hibs and he’s been around the environment. It’s a blessing being able to show him what I do day in, day. out Hopefully, I can inspire him to try to follow in my footsteps.”

Discussions with Gray not only focused on what Hoilett can provide on the pitch but his potential value off it as well. His vast experience means that even as a dressing room newcomer, others will look to him for leadership, and the hope is that the youth in Hibs' forward line will benefit from his wealth of knowledge. Rudi Molotnikov, while almost half his new team-mate's age, is an obvious example, as is 21-year-old Kieron Bowie, with Hoilett declaring 'fearlessness' as the quality he most wants to see from up-and-coming players.

“Of course [I can be a leader], especially for the younger players with my experience," he said. "They try to pick my brain and ask questions. That’s what I’m here for, and I can draw on what I learned from the older players I played with in the game.

“I can pass on my knowledge to them, and hopefully help them reach their potential. I like to see them being fearless and brave. They need to go out and enjoy themselves. Once you have that fearlessness in you, you can go out and push yourself to the limit. I want to see them try things on the pitch, be creative, and have that bravery to go and take someone on. You need to be able to provide that missing factor, not only to improve yourself but to help the team get the wins we need. I like to see them playing with freedom and enjoying themselves."

Hoilett may have one eye on helping nurture the next generation but he's still a relative newcomer to Scottish football himself, proving his own wisdom that football will forever offer new experiences and challenges. 

“Coming to Scotland, I knew Neil [Warnock] and enjoyed working under him before," said Hoilett. "When he gave me the call, it was a no-brainer. He broke me into Scottish football and I haven’t looked back since. It’s been a good time for me in this league so far. There’s a lot of passionate fans and really good competition.

“It’s great there’s so much passion for the game, and the football culture is really good. I expected it would be. I want to be playing, but I’ve enjoyed the games watching the boys, the fans are very supportive in good numbers. I can’t wait to make my debut in front of them. I’ve played at Easter Road a few times, including for Canada, which I think was about seven years ago now. So I’ve been there before, the pitch is amazing. Hopefully, I’ll be able to create some more good memories."

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In a Canada shirt, Hoilett still feels the nagging pull of unfinished business. Even with 63 caps, taking in a World Cup and Gold Cup, he has no plans to wind down his international career - and why would he? The thoroughly emotional prospect of a home World Cup in 2026 is firmly in view, doubly so after the injury that has delayed the start of his Hibs career first ruled him out of this summer's Copa America. Hoilett had the chance to open the tournament against world champions Argentina cruelly ripped away from him, and he doesn't want disappointment to define the final chapter of his international adventures.

"I had worked so hard to get back into the squad," Hoilett reflected. "So, to get injured in training before the first game when I could have been taking on Lionel Messi and the world champions... it was tough. But everything happens for a reason and it’s been positive ever since to get back fully fit, ready to go again.

“My goal is to get back into the squad. We’ve got the World Cup in Canada in 2026; we’ve got a new manager in Jesse Marsch, and I can’t wait to get back in the team and help the team achieve their goals for 2026."