Nick Montgomery sat Harry McKirdy in his office and told him to keep believing.
From the moment he learned he would require heart surgery last summer, it hasn't been easy for the Hibs forward. Even though there was no suggestion, at least publicly, that McKirdy’s career was in jeopardy of coming to an early end, he wouldn’t be human had there not been doubts and dark moments after that bombshell.
Thankfully, the 26-year-old now looks ready to put an unsettling ordeal behind him. He made a somewhat unexpected return to the pitch late on against Motherwell just before the winter break and has been out grafting in Dubai with the rest of his team-mates for the past week.
And not only does his manager feel a sense of joy spreading around the group at seeing McKirdy overcome this hurdle, but he also sees a player determined to make up for lost time.
“The squad has been great with him,” said Montgomery. “He’s a really popular member of the group. He’s needed that support. Although people saw him come off the bench against Motherwell, they haven't seen the ups and downs he’s had.
“He’s had a lot of them. I’ve had him in my office many times, just putting my arm around him, telling him to keep going and believe he can come back. Everyone is just really happy for him. He’s a great kid and when you know someone has been through a really tough time like Harry, to see him back training and doing what he loves doing is great.
“It’s not easy when you have an injury or an issue to sit at the side of the pitch. It’s what you want to do and it’s your job but if you can’t do it it does become really difficult. He’s had some really tough times but he’s a great kid and this will build resilience for him.
“I’ve no doubt that it’ll make him a better person and appreciate football more. He’s desperate to show people what he’s got, and probably prove people wrong as well. I don’t think on signing he really showed the impact he can but sometimes that can be the situation and environment. But right now he feels a part of the group and he knows we love and we’re all desperate to see him get back."
Given the nature of his health issue, Montgomery says there’s been a naturally elevated level of attention focused on managing McKirdy’s workload carefully, but admits that hasn’t stopped the forward leaving it all on the training pitch.
He sees a ‘maverick’ quality in the former Swindon Town favourite, which he believes could be more than useful for Hibs when the second half of the campaign commences.
“He’s been training full tilt here,” said the manager. "There have been a few times when I’ve had to pick him off the floor and chuck a bottle of water on his head.
"But Harry is all in and he gives everything. He chases everything and it’s obviously been warm weather and we’ve been training twice a day really hard so it’s been a massive effort for him.
“I've managed him a little bit in a few of the sessions but he’s given us everything and he’s developing well. The medical staff have been good with him.
“I think a lot of it is that emotional side and a bit of anxiety over the problem he had so we’re all pushing him and looking after him. If we do that then I’m confident Harry can really make an impact this season and start to show people what he’s about.
“It’s been really tough mentally for him. He is a very fit player but when you’re out for a long time it’s not easy to get back at a high intensity.
“Moving forward, Harry can give us energy off the bench - an impact. We play a lot of teams that sit players behind the ball but Harry is the type of maverick player who can do something out of nothing and create a goal.
“We will manage him day to day and not week to week because it’s important that we look after him. He is pushing himself and his attitude is fantastic. Coming off the bench before the break gave him a big lift and he is champing at the bit to get back. Hopefully, we can get him more minutes and continue to build him up without pushing him too far."
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