Fit-again Whittaker keen to make big impression on Hibs boss

STEVEN WHITTAKER intends to make the most of his second chance to make a first impression on Paul Heckingbottom.

The Hibernian veteran was denied the opportunity to play his way into the new manager’s plans when pulling up injured in Heckingbottom’s very first training session with the club.

Whittaker tore his hip flexor that morning, only returning to the matchday squad for an appearance on the bench in the final Ladbrokes Premiership game of the season against Aberdeen.

He turns 35 today and is back for pre-season with his Easter Road team-mates on Thursday determined to remain relevant amid Heckingbottom’s proposed ‘massive turnover’.

‘I can’t get too worked up about what happened to me just as the manager came in,’ said Whittaker. ‘No one can choose when they get injured, it’s just what I was thrown into.

‘It’s circumstantial. It was a little niggle that I felt against St Mirren when Eddie May was in caretaker charge and it was my third game in a week.

‘That came back to haunt me and it’s cost me. The following week the manager got announced, we trained on the Thursday and I turned, not under any pressure, and really felt the sharp pain. That was it.

‘The hip flexor is the sorest muscle to tear. It was quite a bad one and quite a long rehab process. The team were doing well at that point, too.

‘I was fit for three to four weeks, on the bench for the last game of the season but there were no real games for me to use to come in and get up to speed.

‘I wasn’t match-fit, so it was hard for me to move straight back in there.

‘I spoke to the manager and he was quite clear that I should look at getting through pre-season and, hopefully, I’ll still have some part to play next year.’

While Whittaker worked his way back to fitness, he was encouraged to see two fellow thirtysomethings earn new Hibs deals.

Darren McGregor, 33, and skipper David Gray, 31, agreed contract extensions until 2023, encompassing a transition to backroom or mentor roles at the club.

Following that lead appeals to Whittaker, who began work on his UEFA A Licence with the SFA coach education department during his summer break. ‘It’s been going through my mind for the last year when I’ve been injured and in and out the team,’ he revealed.

‘People say play as long as you can but there are different levels and, if you drop down, you can be frustrated not playing with the calibre of player you were used to.

‘I really enjoy my time at Hibs, I know the club and love the relationships I’ve got there. So, again, I want to use that to my benefit as well.

‘Dave and Daz are both in their 30s and had contracts renewed because they want them at the club, they want them to use their experience to help those who are coming through.

‘The academy is massive, I think they got four years and there are roles within that. It shows you that they like the senior players to be in and around it whether they are playing or not.

‘When I spoke to the manager, he seemed pretty keen on me still being involved. He mentioned using my experience with the young boys as well.

‘At the stage of my career when I’m learning that side of it, I will hopefully learn plenty from him.

‘He’s been very impressive and a very good coach.’