The Hibs forward is yet to play this season after undergoing surgery on a heart issue - but head coach Nick Montgomery has revealed the 26-year-old is in good spirits as he continues his comeback

Nick Montgomery has revealed Harry McKirdy is eating 'mountains of food' as he continues his return to full fitness following surgery on a heart problem that has ruled him out of action since the summer.

The former Swindon Town favourite endured a stop-start time during his first season in Edinburgh, taking time to adapt to the move as well as enduring a handful of niggly injuries and limited opportunities to make an impact on the pitch. 

He was gearing up to make the most of pre-season in late June when routine pre-season scans signalled a potential issue with his heart ahead of the first summer friendly against Edinburgh City at Meadowbank, with subsequent tests revealing he would need to go under the knife. 

And while McKirdy is still some way away from getting back to the training pitch, never mind involvement on match day, Montgomery insists the signs are positive from the player.

"Harry's a fantastic kid. He's had a really traumatic experience but he's back in with the boys, and the boys love him. He's obviously lost a lot of weight but he's putting it back on. He's working really hard with the nutritionist," the Easter Road head coach said as he previewed his side's trip to Ibrox to face Rangers this weekend. 

"He's got his appetite back - I saw him eating mountains of food this week! It's great to see that. We know he's a really talented player but from what he's been through, he needs to take his time. He's got to have the strength and the power to train with an elite group of players. It's about not rushing him."

McKirdy is not the only long-term absentee at Hibs. Goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott is available for selection and is set to be on the bench in Glasgow after recovering from the thigh problem that cut short his debut against Inter Club d'Escaldes of Andorra in the Europa Conference League back in August, but Chris Cadden is also sidelined as he works his way back from an Achilles tear.

"Harry's got Cadds for company at the moment. They've been knocking around the gym together," Montgomery continued. "They are both desperate to be back involved but they know they can't be rushed. December, January, February, anywhere around that time, they'll be like new signings. We're really looking forward to getting them back.

"Chatting to Harry, he's a funny kid. I have plenty of funny conversations with him and he's buzzing to be progressing a little bit every week. When that time comes, it'll be fantastic to have him back. It's just his fitness really. It's not easy to accelerate that return to playing. He has to get the weight up, then his fitness up on the pitch, and with the ball, and then his power up in the gym. It's a step-by-step process. All I can say is he is going really well and everyone is really happy with him."